How did Ayn Rand define altruism in her ethical philosophy?

In her philosophical system of Objectivism, Ayn Rand defined altruism as the act of placing the interests of others above one's own self-interest.1

Rand rejected this concept, characterizing it as a fundamental vice and the direct negation of virtuous activity. Her ethical framework, known as ethical egoism, posits that an individual's primary moral obligation is the pursuit of their own life as a rational being and the achievement of their own happiness. Because she viewed "rational selfishness" as a virtue, she argued that prioritizing others at the expense of one's own values is contrary to the requirements of human survival and flourishing.1