Early Life
Lee Marshall Bass was born in 1956. His father, Perry Richardson Bass, was an investor and philanthropist, and his mother, Nancy Lee Bass, was also a philanthropist. His great-uncle was the oil baron Sid Richardson. Bass graduated from Yale University in 1979 and received an MBA from the Wharton School in 1982.
Rise to Success
Lee Bass inherited his fortune from his uncle, oil tycoon Sid Richardson. The brothers parlayed their inheritance into multi-billion-dollar fortunes with the help of bets on oil that paid off big. In early 2017, the four Bass brothers sold their oil company to ExxonMobil for $5.6 billion in stock. He is also the primary steward of the historic El Coyote Longhorn Ranch in Encino, Texas.
Key Business Strategies
Lee Bass's main source of income comes from oil and investments. His family diversified into various investments, including significant holdings, ranging from hedge fund investments to stakes in aerospace firm Aerion and ice cream maker Blue Bell.
Philanthropy
Lee Bass contributes to arts and education. He is known for his significant donations to Yale University and Republican causes. Lee and his wife Ramona founded the Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation. The foundation's grants primarily support schools, colleges, and universities, particularly faculty development and liberal arts programs within Texas. It also supports community programs related to the arts and environment.
