Billionaire Profile
Bill Alfond
Global Rank
#1211

Image: bill_comstock | CC BY 2.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Bill Alfond

CEO, Shoes
UNITED STATES
Real-Time Net Worth
$3.492B
Estimated based on Shoes stock value as of March 6, 2026
-0.93% (24h)
Age
77
Source
Shoes
Industry
Fashion & Retail
Citizenship
UNITED STATES

Biography

Bill Alfond is an American investor and philanthropist, with a current net worth of $3.5 billion. His wealth stems from the inheritance of Berkshire Hathaway shares, a result of his father's, Harold Alfond, sale of Dexter Shoe Company. Alfond, now 77 years old, is involved in the fashion and retail industry and is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in Maine, through the Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation. His career began with Dexter Shoe and has since evolved into a focus on investing and community support. He is a trustee of The Governor's Academy and supports multiple educational and healthcare institutions.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 3/6/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Bill Alfond was born in 1949 to a Jewish family in Maine. His parents were Dorothy and Harold Alfond. Harold Alfond founded the Dexter Shoe Company in 1958.

Rise to Success

Bill Alfond inherited shares in Berkshire Hathaway following his father's death in 2007, making him and his siblings billionaires. Harold Alfond had previously sold the Dexter Shoe Company to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway for $433 million in Berkshire Hathaway stock in 1995. Bill served as a senior executive at Dexter Shoe Company and was president of the bowling shoe division. He has since become a successful investor and philanthropist.

Key Business Strategies

Bill Alfond is involved with several companies, including Berkshire Hathaway, Dexter Enterprises LLC, and the Alfond Foundation. He is a limited partner in the Boston Red Sox.

Philanthropy

In 1986, Bill and his wife, Joan, founded the Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation, which focuses on higher education, healthcare, medical research, economic development, and youth education programs, particularly in Maine and Massachusetts. The foundation distributed $2.34 million in charitable grants in 2023.

Career Milestones

1958

Dexter Shoe Company Founded

Harold Alfond founded the Dexter Shoe Company.

1995

Dexter Shoe Sold

Harold Alfond sold the Dexter Shoe Company to Berkshire Hathaway.

2007

Inheritance of Berkshire Hathaway Shares

Bill Alfond inherited shares in Berkshire Hathaway upon his father's death.

1986

Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation Founded

Bill and Joan Alfond founded the Bill and Joan Alfond Family Foundation.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Philanthropy

Bill and Joan Alfond Foundation

$2.34M

The foundation supports higher education, healthcare, medical research, economic development, and youth education programs.