Early Life and Education
Paul Elliott Singer was born on August 22, 1944, in Teaneck, New Jersey, into a Jewish family. He graduated from Teaneck High School in 1962. Singer obtained a B.S. in psychology from the University of Rochester in 1966 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1969. After completing his education, he worked as a real estate attorney at the investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette in 1974.
Rise to Success
In 1977, Singer founded Elliott Associates L.P. with $1.3 million from friends and family, which would later become Elliott Management. He began his career with a convertible arbitrage strategy, later shifting towards activist investing. Elliott Management has grown into a financial powerhouse, managing approximately $76.1 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025. Singer is known for his aggressive tactics in restructuring distressed companies and shareholder activism.
Key Business Strategies
Elliott Management focuses on distressed debt and event-driven investing, with a hands-on approach to increase shareholder value. The firm has been involved in significant restructurings and activist campaigns, pushing for changes in companies like Citrix Systems and engaging in high-profile campaigns with companies like Twitter. Elliott's investment in Twitter led to a significant increase in stock value. Singer is also known for his contrarian investment strategies.
Philanthropy
Singer signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate more than half of his wealth to address societal challenges. He founded The Paul E. Singer Family Foundation, which supports charitable causes, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education Singer Prize for Excellence in Secondary Teaching, and various pro-Israel and LGBT initiatives. The Foundation's work focuses on free-market economics, U.S. national security, LGBT interests, and intellectual diversity on college campuses and universities.
