Henry Kravis: A Life of Business and Philanthropy

Henry Kravis is a renowned American businessman and philanthropist. He was born on January 26, 1944, in New York City.

Kravis is best known for co-founding KKR, a global investment firm that has been a driving force in the world of private equity. He has a net worth of over $6 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.

Kravis's success in business is a result of his sharp instincts and ability to spot undervalued companies. He has made his mark in the corporate world by leading some of the most significant leveraged buyouts in history.

Kravis is also a devoted philanthropist, with a particular focus on education and healthcare.

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Henry Kravis was born into a Jewish family in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His father, Raymond F. Kravis, was a successful oil engineer who had connections with notable figures like Joseph P. Kennedy.

Kravis began his education at Eaglebrook School, followed by high school at the Loomis Chaffee School, where he was involved in student government and even became vice president of the student council his senior year.

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He attended Claremont McKenna College, majoring in economics and participating in the varsity golf teams for four years. Kravis was also a member of the Knickerbockers student service organization.

As a student at Claremont McKenna College, Kravis served as his sophomore class secretary-treasurer. He graduated from CMC in 1967, before going on to pursue further education.

Kravis received an MBA degree from Columbia Business School in 1969.

Henry Kravis co-founded KKR & Co. Inc., a private equity firm that has made significant investments in various sectors.

At a young age, Kravis became a partner at Bear Stearns, where he worked alongside Jerome Kohlberg, Jr. and his first cousin, George R. Roberts.

Kravis led KKR through the monumental $31.4 billion buyout of RJR Nabisco, one of the largest deals in history.

He also advised Prime Minister Modi on implementing a new bankruptcy code.

Kravis has been involved in various successful investments, including the $27 million investment in Stern Metals, which was one of several "bootstrap" investments he made while working at Bear Stearns.

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Henry Kravis is a co-founder of KKR & Co. Inc., a private equity firm he led to a monumental $31.4 billion buyout of RJR Nabisco.

Kravis became a partner at Bear Stearns at a young age, 30, alongside his first cousin George R. Roberts. They worked under corporate finance manager Jerome Kohlberg, Jr.

Kravis and his team made several successful investments, including a $27 million investment in Cobblers Industries that ended in bankruptcy. Despite this setback, they had many other successful investments, such as Stern Metals and Incom.

Kravis is a benefactor and past chairman of New York's public television station. He also sits on the board of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is a trustee of the Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Kravis and his wife Marie-Josée donated $15 million to establish the "Center for Cardiovascular Health" at Mount Sinai Medical Center. They also endowed a professorship and funded a chair in human oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

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Foreign investment can significantly boost corporate debt markets by providing companies with access to a larger pool of capital. This can be especially beneficial for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that may not have the resources or reputation to attract domestic investors.

In 2020, foreign investment in corporate debt markets reached a record high of $1.4 trillion, up 12% from the previous year. This influx of capital helped to finance business expansion, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives.

By tapping into foreign investment, companies can also diversify their funding sources and reduce their reliance on domestic markets. This can help to mitigate the risks associated with economic downturns or other market fluctuations.

Foreign investors are attracted to corporate debt markets because of the relatively low risk and high yields compared to other investment options. In 2020, the average yield on corporate bonds in the United States was 3.5%, compared to 1.5% on government bonds.

Foreign investment can also have a positive impact on the economy as a whole, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. In 2019, foreign investment in the United States supported over 1 million jobs and generated $1.2 trillion in economic activity.

For more insights, see: Ray Dalio Economic and Investment Principles

Henry Kravis is known for his high-profile marriages and public appearances.

He has been married to his wife, Marie-Josée Kravis, since 1980.

Their high-society lifestyle has been well-documented in the press.

Henry Kravis has been a long-time supporter of Republican politics, having been a fundraiser for President George W. Bush and John McCain.

He was also a major contributor to the 1992 re-election campaign of President George H. W. Bush, showing his commitment to the party.

In 1997, Kravis joined forces with Lewis M. Eisenberg to establish the Republican Leadership Council, a move that further solidified his ties to the Republican party.

Kravis also contributed $1 million to President Donald Trump's presidential inauguration in 2017, demonstrating his willingness to support Republican candidates.

Henry Kravis is a prominent figure in philanthropy and public positions, with a wide range of contributions to his name. He established the Henry R. Kravis Prize in Nonprofit Leadership in 2006 to identify and celebrate exceptional leaders in the nonprofit sector.

Kravis is an alumnus and trustee of Claremont McKenna College, where he also funds the Henry Kravis Leadership Institute and sponsors Leadership Studies programs. He has also financed the construction of facilities at several private schools, including Middlesex School and Deerfield Academy.

As a benefactor, Kravis has supported New York's public television station and sits on the board of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He and his wife Marie-Josée donated $15 million to establish the Center for Cardiovascular Health at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

Kravis has held various leadership positions, including chairman of The Business Council and co-chairman of the Partnership for New York City. He is also a trustee of the Council on Foreign Relations and chairman of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity.

Kravis has made significant contributions to education, including a $100 million gift to Columbia Business School to support its new campus project. The school's Henry R. Kravis Hall is named after him in recognition of his generosity.

Henry Kravis has received numerous awards and recognition for his outstanding contributions to the field of finance and philanthropy. He was awarded the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 1987.

His commitment to education has also been recognized, as he was named chairman of Sponsors for Educational Opportunity in 2014.

Henry Kravis received the Investment Management's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015, a testament to his long-standing career in the industry. He has also been honored with the Columbia Business School's Centennial Award in 2016.

In the same year, he received the Atlantic Council's Distinguished Leadership Award, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in his field. The Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy was awarded to him in 2019.

Here's a list of some of the notable awards Henry Kravis has received: