Early Life
Herbert A. Wertheim was born on May 23, 1939, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Jewish parents. His family moved to Miami Beach, Florida, in 1945. Wertheim faced challenges in school, including being diagnosed with dyslexia. At age 17, he joined the U.S. Navy, where he developed an interest in physics and chemistry.
Rise to Success
After serving in the Navy, Wertheim became an optometrist and founded Brain Power Incorporated (BPI), a company specializing in optical tints for eyeglasses. The company holds over 100 patents. Wertheim began investing profits from his company into the stock market in 1970. His investment strategy involved long-term, buy-and-hold investing in industry and technology companies. He is the largest individual shareholder in Heico, an aerospace firm.
Key Business Strategies
Wertheim's investment strategy is characterized by a preference for industry and technology companies, with a focus on companies that have strong management and pay regular dividends. He is known to focus on the patent portfolios of companies. Wertheim believes in long-term investing and buying more shares when his high-conviction picks go down, emphasizing the lasting value of a product.
Philanthropy
Wertheim and his wife, Nicole, have made significant philanthropic contributions through the Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation. The foundation has supported numerous educational, cultural, and healthcare organizations, including Florida International University (FIU) and the University of Florida (UF). Wertheim is a signatory of the Giving Pledge.
