Table of Contents
What is George Kaiser’s Net Worth?
George Kaiser, an American businessman and philanthropist, has an estimated net worth of $14.87 billion. The cornerstone of Kaiser’s wealth is his ownership of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company, a privately held oil and gas exploration firm based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This company, which Kaiser took control of in 1969, has grown to become one of the largest nonpublic energy exploration companies in the United States.
In addition to his oil and gas interests, Kaiser has significant holdings in the banking sector. He owns 61% of BOK Financial, a multi-state banking corporation that he acquired in 1990 and subsequently expanded.
Kaiser is also the owner of Argonaut Capital, a private equity firm with assets worth $3.5 billion that invests in various sectors including laser printing and clean energy. He also owns Excelerate Energy, valued at approximately $100 million, which specializes in liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations.
Kaiser has been recognized as one of the top American philanthropists, with a particular focus on combating childhood poverty and supporting education initiatives.
Here’s the breakdown of George Kaiser’s net worth:
Name: | George Kaiser |
Net Worth: | $14.87 Billion |
Date of Birth: | July 29, 1942 |
Profession: | Businessperson, Entrepreneur |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life
George Bruce Kaiser was born on July 29, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He came from a family of Jewish refugees who had fled Nazi Germany just a few years before his birth. His parents, Herman and Kate Kaiser, settled in Tulsa where they joined relatives who were already established there.
Kaiser attended Central High School in Tulsa before going on to pursue higher education at Harvard University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1964 and followed it up with a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1966.
After briefly considering joining the U.S. Foreign Service, Kaiser decided to return to Tulsa in 1966 to work for his father’s business.
Career
In 1969, George Kaiser took control of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company after his father suffered a heart attack. Under Kaiser’s management, the company grew from a little-known, privately owned oil prospecting and drilling company to become the 23rd largest nonpublic energy exploration company in the United States by 2010.
In 1990, Kaiser made a pivotal move by purchasing Bank of Oklahoma out of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation receivership. This acquisition immediately landed him on the Forbes 400 list.
Over the years, Kaiser expanded BOK from a 20-branch company located solely in Oklahoma into a $23.9 billion bank with operations in nine states. As of the latest information, Kaiser owns 61.5 percent of BOK Financial Corporation.
Kaiser is the owner of Argonaut Capital, a private equity firm with assets worth $3.5 billion that invests in various sectors including laser printing and clean energy. He also owns Excelerate Energy, valued at approximately $100 million, which specializes in liquefied natural gas (LNG) operations.
Personal Life
George Kaiser has been married twice. His first wife was Betty Eudene, a prominent literacy advocate who volunteered extensively with the Tulsa City-County Library’s literacy program. Betty passed away in 2002. The couple had three children: Philip, Leah, and Emily, and five grandchildren.
Kaiser’s second wife is Myra Block, a curator and authority on fiber art who founded 108 Contemporary. Myra is the daughter of Tulsa oilman and philanthropist Charles Goodall. The couple divides their time between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and San Francisco, California.
Known for his strong work ethic, Kaiser typically works 70 hours a week, dedicating half his time to philanthropy and the rest to his business interests. He is affiliated with the Egalitarian Conservative Congregation B’Nai Emunah. Despite his wealth, Kaiser is known for his modest lifestyle, avoiding publicity and society functions. He reportedly owns no vacation homes, airplanes, or yachts.
Philanthropy
George Kaiser is widely recognized as one of America’s top philanthropists. In 2008, he was listed third on BusinessWeek’s list of the top 50 American philanthropists. His philanthropic efforts are primarily channeled through the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), established in 1999.
The foundation’s primary focus is on breaking the cycle of poverty through investments in early childhood education, community health, social services, and civic enhancement.
GKFF has made significant contributions to various causes in Tulsa and beyond. The foundation’s initiatives include the Tulsa Remote program, which offers incentives for remote workers to relocate to Tulsa, and investments in early childhood education programs. Kaiser has committed to The Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half of his wealth to philanthropy.
Political Activities
While Kaiser has been described in a 1999 newspaper profile as a registered Republican, his political activities and donations suggest a more complex political stance. He has been a significant donor to Democratic causes and candidates in recent years.
Kaiser’s political influence extends beyond direct campaign contributions. His business decisions and philanthropic efforts often intersect with political issues. For instance, his investment in Solyndra, a solar energy company that received federal loan guarantees, became a point of political controversy in 2011.
Kaiser’s political activities also manifest through his foundation’s work. GKFF’s focus on early childhood education and poverty alleviation aligns with certain progressive policy goals. However, Kaiser’s approach to these issues often emphasizes private sector solutions and evidence-based interventions rather than solely relying on government programs.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.
