Let’s meet Robert Frederick Smith, the richest black man in America with a net worth of $4.4 billion. The silent billionaire earns a lot through hard work and high achievements in the software industry.
Smith, who was the former CEO of Goldman Sachs, founded a private equity and venture capital firm called Vista Equity Partners in 2000. Today, with over $30 billion in assets under management, Vista is one of the most successful hedge funds in the world with consistent double-digit returns.
Robert Frederick Smith Biography
Born December 1, 1962 in Denvor, Colorado, Smith was the son of parents who were well educated school teachers. Against this background, the young brilliant Smith became interested in academics. He received his engineering degree from Cornell University and his BS in chemical engineering.
Robert Frederick Smith is a member of the board of directors of Columbia Business School and chairman of the board of directors of Carnegie Hall, where he made history as the first African American to hold the office.
Smith is best described as a businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners.
Smith’s holding company was formed in 2017. There is no doubt that it is a leading private equity firm dedicated to backing tech startups.
With offices in 6 states, Vista Equity manages billions of dollars in equity commitments. He is the controlling shareholder of the Vista management company.
They buy and sell small software companies and look after the portfolio of over 30 software companies that collectively employ around 30,000 people worldwide.
Robert Frederick Smith became a millionaire at the age of 35. 15 years later he became a billionaire.
The business mogul’s success was evident from an early age.
After much perseverance, Smith, while still a high school student, enrolled in a program for undergraduates. It was worth the young man to develop a reliability test for semiconductors.
While working as a chemical engineer at Kraft General Foods, he acquired two patents in the US and Europe. Over time, he also worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs.
Robert Frederick Smith was a vibrant figure in the technology sectors. The billionaire has been honored with numerous humanitarian prizes and awards. Smith is a philanthropist with great respect for human rights.
Wealth (income and earnings)
Smith has amassed a fortune that he is one of the richest men in the country – worth $4.4 billion, according to Forbes in 2018. He was ranked 268th on the 2015 Forbes list of the richest Americans. With a net worth of over $2 billion at the time, Smith became the second richest African American after Oprah Winfrey (No. 211). Today, his earnings have more than doubled, making him the richest black American.
In 2013, the executive board of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture made a financial request, and the rich man generously responded.
Robert Frederick Smith, a low-profile billionaire, donated $20 million. This makes him the African American Museum’s second-highest private donor to the arts institution, while Oprah leads the way with $21 million.
The chemical engineer by trade attributes his generosity to his parents’ philanthropic habits. He recalled moments when his mother set aside a check for $25 for her monthly contribution to the United Negro College Fund.
Recall that some time ago Smith offered to educate 24 of the recently released Chibok girls in Nigeria. His philanthropic concerns have remained quiet over time.
Fearing racial discrimination, Smith decided to open his company on anonymous terms. According to him, he did not want to be deprived of business opportunities because of the color of his skin.
In 2017, Smith joined The Giving Pledge, which means he will donate half of his income to charity.
Smith wife, children
Smith married Hope Dworaczyk, a former Playboy playmate, healthy living advocate and fashion editor. The two married in the south of France in 2013 in front of 250 people.
He currently has five children, three from a previous marriage and two with Dworaczyk.His first child with Dworaczyk is Hendrix Robert Smith. He was born in December 2014.
Brief facts about Robert Frederick Smith
| Full name | Robert FrederickSmith |
| Place of birth | Denvor, Colo |
| Date of birth | December 1, 1962 |
| occupation | businessman, investor |
| Name of the company: | Vista Equity Partners |
| parents | dr William Robert Smith and Dr. Sylvia Myma Smith |
| spouse | Hope Dworaczyk |
| Number of Children | 5 |