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Billionaire Profile
Lee Bass
Global Rank
#1492

Image: Sylvain lasco | CC BY-SA 4.0 | via Wikimedia Commons

Lee Bass

CEO, Oil
UNITED STATES
Real-Time Net Worth
$2.854B
Estimated based on Oil stock value as of April 20, 2026
+0.25% (24h)
Age
69
Source
Oil, investments
Industry
Energy
Citizenship
UNITED STATES

Biography

Lee Bass (born 1956) is an American billionaire investor, rancher, and philanthropist based in Fort Worth, Texas. He is known for his wealth derived from oil and investments. As the youngest of four brothers, Lee inherited a fortune from his great-uncle, oil tycoon Sid W. Richardson. He later earned an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Lee Bass has a net worth of $2.9 billion as of 2024. His career includes significant achievements in the oil and energy industry, as well as in philanthropy. His most publicized initiative was a donation to Yale University. He owns ranches in Texas, where he raises longhorn cattle.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 4/20/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Lee Marshall Bass was born in 1956 in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the son of Perry Richardson Bass, an oil investor, and Nancy Lee Bass. He grew up with three brothers, Sid, Edward, and Robert Bass. The family's wealth originated from oil ventures.

Rise to Success

In 1959, Lee and his brothers each inherited approximately $2.8 million from their great-uncle, oil tycoon Sid W. Richardson. Lee later obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in American studies from Yale University in 1979 and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1982.

Key Business Strategies

Lee Bass, along with his brothers, is known for their investment strategies. In 2017, the Bass brothers sold their oil and gas interests in the Permian Basin to ExxonMobil for $5.6 billion in stock. The family has also made significant investments in other sectors.

Philanthropy

Lee Bass, along with his wife Ramona, founded the Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation. The foundation supports educational and Republican-aligned causes.

Career Milestones

1989

Commissioner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Appointed by Governor William P. Clements, Jr. for a six-year term.

1995

Chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Named by Governor George W. Bush and reappointed for another six years.

2001

Chairman-Emeritus of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Named by Governor Rick Perry.

2017

Sale of Permian Basin Assets

Sold oil and gas interests to ExxonMobil for $5.6 billion in stock.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education and Philanthropy

Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation

$59.9B

Supports education, arts and Republican-aligned causes.

Education

Donation to Yale University

$20M

Donation to establish and expand a curriculum in Western civilization

Controversies & Challenges

1995

Yale University Donation

Yale University returned a $20 million donation after failing to implement the program as stipulated.

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