Fifteenth Spot: Michael Bloomberg
Michael Bloomberg (born February 14, 1942) is
an American businessman and philanthropist, and the current
Mayor of New York City. He is the founder and 88% owner of
Bloomberg L.P., a financial software services company.
Fortune |
Business |
Country |
Status |
16 Billion |
Media |
USA |
Divorced, 2 children |
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Michael Bloomberg was born to a Jewish family
of Russian and Polish descent at St. Elizabeth's Hospital,
in the Brighton neighborhood of Boston on February 14, 1942.
His father, William Henry Bloomberg, born in Chelsea,
Massachusetts on January 19, 1906, was the son of Alexander
"Elick" Bloomberg, a Russian Jewish immigrant and a real
estate agent. His mother, Charlotte Bloomberg (nee Rubens),
born January 2, 1909 in New Jersey, was the daughter of a
Russian immigrant and a New Jersey-born mother.
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In March of 2009 Forbes reported Michael
Bloomberg's wealth as $16 billion, meaning he was one of the
most successful billionaires in the United States during the
recession, and the wealthiest individual in New York City.
There are only four fortunes in the USA that are larger
(although the Walmart family fortune is split among four
people). Bloomberg moved from 142nd to 17th in Forbes list
of the world's billionaires in only two years (March 2007 -
March 2009).
Bloomberg's personal net worth, in addition to aiding his
political career, has allowed him to engage in substantial
philanthropic endeavors, including the donation of over US
$300 million to Johns Hopkins University, where he served as
the chairman of the board from 1996 to 2002.
According to the Chronicle of Philanthropy, Mike Bloomberg
donated and/or pledged $138 million in 2004, $144 million in
2005, $165 million in 2006, and $205 million in 2007, making
him the seventh largest individual contributor to
philanthropy in the United States for 2007. (wiki)
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