Biography of Lee Bass

Overview

Lee Marshall Bass, commonly known as Lee Bass, is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is one of the four Bass brothers, who inherited a substantial fortune from their oil tycoon father, Perry Bass. Lee Bass is currently the chairman and CEO of Bass Enterprises Production Company, which focuses on oil and gas exploration and production.

Early Life and Education

Lee Bass was born on November 13, 1956, in Fort Worth, Texas. He is the youngest son of Perry Richardson Bass and Nancy Lee Bass. Lee grew up in a wealthy family, attending the best private schools in Texas. He graduated from St. Mark’s School of Texas in 1975 and went on to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering at Vanderbilt University. However, he dropped out after his sophomore year to focus on his family’s business.

Career and Achievements

Lee Bass began his career in the family business in the mid-1970s, working alongside his brothers to manage the Bass Brothers Enterprises portfolio. He played a key role in the family’s investments beyond the oil and gas industry, including real estate and investments in companies such as Disney and American Airlines. In 1984, Bass and his brothers made a successful bid to acquire a controlling interest in the Walt Disney Company.

In addition to his business pursuits, Lee Bass is also an avid art collector and philanthropist. He serves on the board of various cultural institutions, including the Kimbell Art Museum and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. He also founded the Lee and Ramona Bass Foundation, which supports various causes in education, the arts, and medical research.

Personal Life

Lee Bass is notoriously private, and little is known about his personal life. He is married to Ramona Bass, and they have three children together. They reside in a $40 million mansion in Fort Worth, Texas.

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