Early Life
Philip Frederick Anschutz was born on December 28, 1939, in Russell, Kansas. His father, Fred Anschutz, was an oil tycoon and land speculator. Anschutz graduated from the University of Kansas in 1961 with a finance degree.
Rise to Success
Anschutz's business career began in 1961 when he bought his father's oil drilling company, Circle A Drilling. He made significant returns from oil exploration in Wyoming. In the 1980s, he invested in railroads, purchasing the Rio Grande Railroad and Southern Pacific Railroad. Anschutz expanded his investments into sports and entertainment, co-founding Major League Soccer and owning several teams, including the Los Angeles Kings.
Key Business Strategies
Anschutz's business strategy has involved identifying undervalued assets and diversifying his investments. He has demonstrated a knack for expanding into new industries and seizing opportunities, such as the growth of the telecom sector and the rise of entertainment venues. His ability to operate across various industries, mastering and reshaping entire economic landscapes, has been compared to that of J.P. Morgan.
Philanthropy
Anschutz is an active philanthropist, primarily through the Anschutz Foundation, established in 1984. The Foundation supports a wide array of causes, including health and wellness, youth development, and cultural institutions. Notably, he and his wife have contributed over $100 million to the University of Colorado School of Medicine, now named the Anschutz Medical Campus.
