Billionaire Profile

Global Rank

#1037

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Sid Bass

CEO, Bass Brothers Enterprises

Real-Time Net Worth

$3.8B

As of December 2025

Age

Source

Oil, investments

Industry

energy

Citizenship

Biography

Sid Bass, born in 1942, is an American billionaire investor and philanthropist. With a net worth of $3.8 billion as of late 2024, Bass is primarily known for his wealth derived from oil and investments. He took control of the family business, Bass Brothers Enterprises, in 1968. His career highlights include significant investments in oil and gas, as well as being the largest shareholder in The Walt Disney Company from 1984 to 2001. Bass's philanthropic contributions include substantial donations to Yale University and the Metropolitan Opera. Bass's achievements in business and philanthropy have earned him recognition, including induction into the Texas Business Hall of Fame.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Sid Richardson Bass was born on April 9, 1942, in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the son of Perry Richardson Bass, a successful oilman, and Nancy Lee Bass. He graduated from Yale University in 1965 and later earned a degree from Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Rise to Success

Sid Bass took control of the family business, Bass Brothers Enterprises, in 1968. Under his leadership, the company expanded its investments in oil and gas, becoming one of the largest privately held oil companies in the United States. He diversified the family's portfolio, making investments in real estate, media, and technology. A significant portion of the Bass family's wealth came from their investment in Disney, where they were the largest shareholders from 1984 until 2001.

Key Business Strategies

Bass's business strategy has focused on strategic investments and diversification. He inherited a fortune and expanded it through shrewd investments in oil, gas, and other sectors. Bass is known for partnering with investing legends such as Richard Rainwater. In 2017, the Bass brothers sold oil and gas interests in the Permian Basin to Exxon Mobil for $5.6 billion.

Philanthropy

Sid Bass is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts. He donated $20 million to Yale University for the study of humanities in 1990 and made a $25 million gift to the Metropolitan Opera in 2006.

Career Milestones

1968

Took control of Bass Brothers Enterprises

Expanded investments in oil and gas and other industries.

1984

Became Largest Shareholder in The Walt Disney Company

Held the largest share until 2001.

2001

Sold Disney Holdings

Forced to sell due to market crash.

2006

Donated $25 Million to Metropolitan Opera

Largest individual gift at the time.

2017

Sold Oil and Gas interests

Sold oil and gas interests in Texas' Permian basin to Exxon Mobil for $5.6 billion in stock.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Yale University

$20M

For humanities studies

Arts

Metropolitan Opera

$25M

Largest individual gift at the time

Controversies & Challenges

2001

Disney Holdings Sale

Forced to sell Disney shares due to margin call after the stock market crash.