George Kaiser

$15.70 B

Ranked #176 in World

About George Kaiser

George Kaiser, an American billionaire from Tulsa, Oklahoma, emerges as a prominent name in finance and philanthropy. Born on July 29, 1942, he chairs BOK Financial Corporation and was ranked as the 476th wealthiest individual globally as of September 2021. A Harvard alumnus, Kaiser pivoted from a potential U.S. Foreign Service career to grow Kaiser-Francis Oil Company and expand BOK Financial. A discrete philanthropist, he has significantly contributed to reducing childhood poverty and bolstering education through his foundation. Politically, Kaiser leans toward the Democratic Party, having supported Barack Obama's 2008 campaign.

Born

July 29, 1942

Age

83 years

Source Of Wealth

Oil & Gas, Banking

Industries

Energy

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Harvard University; Master of Business Administration, Harvard University

George Kaiser, the American billionaire businessman, was born on July 29, 1942, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He attended Central High School in Tulsa and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1964 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1966. After briefly considering joining the U.S. Foreign Service, he returned to Tulsa in 1966 to work for his father.

George Kaiser: Family

George Kaiser has been married twice. His first wife, Betty Eudene, was a prominent literacy advocate. They had three children together: Philip, Leah, and Emily. His second wife, Myra Block, is a curator, authority on fiber art, and founder of 108 Contemporary. Kaiser divides his time between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and San Francisco, California.

George Kaiser: Career Highlights

George Kaiser's career has been marked by significant achievements in the oil and gas, banking, and professional sports industries. In 1969, he took control of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company after his father's heart attack and transformed it into the 23rd largest nonpublic energy exploration company in the United States by 2010. In 1990, he bought Bank of Oklahoma out of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation receivership and expanded it from a 20-branch company in Oklahoma to a $23.9 billion bank with operations in nine states. He also owns 61.5 percent of BOK. Additionally, Kaiser bought Tom L. Ward's interest in The Professional Basketball Club, which owns the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association.

George Kaiser: Companies

George Kaiser has been involved with several notable companies throughout his career. He is the Chairman of BOK Financial Corporation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and owns 61.5 percent of the company. He also has significant interests in the oil and gas industry through Kaiser-Francis Oil Company and in professional sports as the owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

George Kaiser: Major Achievements

George Kaiser's major achievements include transforming Kaiser-Francis Oil Company into a leading energy exploration company, expanding Bank of Oklahoma into a multi-state financial institution, and acquiring the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball team.

He has also made significant contributions to the Tulsa community through his philanthropic efforts.

George Kaiser: Awards & Achievements

George Kaiser has received numerous awards and recognitions for his business acumen and philanthropic contributions. He was listed third on BusinessWeek's 2008 list of the top 50 American philanthropists and has been recognized for his work in fighting childhood poverty, supporting the Jewish community, and promoting early education and healthcare.

George Kaiser: Personal Life & Legacy

George Kaiser is known for his private nature and avoids publicity. He does not attend society functions and rarely gives interviews. He is affiliated with the Egalitarian Conservative Congregation B'Nai Emunah and divides his time between Tulsa, Oklahoma, and San Francisco, California. Kaiser is known for his strong work ethic, working 70 hours a week, with half his time dedicated to philanthropy and the rest to his business interests.

George Kaiser: Trivia

George Kaiser is an avid art collector and has a particular interest in contemporary art. He has also made significant investments in renewable energy and sustainable development initiatives. Kaiser is a strong advocate for eliminating or reducing tax incentives for the oil and gas industry to fund healthcare, education, or tax cuts for other taxpayers.

Wealth History

Timeline

July 29, 1942

George Kaiser is born in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1964

Earns a BA from Harvard College.

1966

Earns an MBA from Harvard Business School.

1966

Returns to Tulsa to work for his father's oil company, Kaiser-Francis Oil Company.

1969

Takes control of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company after his father's heart attack.

1990

Buys Bank of Oklahoma out of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation receivership.

2008

Listed third on BusinessWeek's list of the top 50 American philanthropists.

2010

Kaiser-Francis Oil Company becomes the 23rd largest nonpublic energy exploration company in the U.S.

2011

Solyndra Corporation, which Kaiser invested in, files for bankruptcy.

2012

Named one of the top 50 American philanthropists.

September 2021

George Kaiser is the 476th richest person in the world.

George Kaiser : FAQs

What is George Kaiser's current net worth?

George Kaiser's current net worth is $15.70 billion.

What is George Kaiser's current global rank among billionaires?

George Kaiser holds the 176th position globally among billionaires.

What is George Kaiser's current ranking within the United States?

George Kaiser holds the 68th position in United States.

What was the change in George Kaiser's net worth compared to the previous year?

George Kaiser's net worth increased by 759.94 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 14.94 billion dollars.

What are George Kaiser's main sources of wealth?

George Kaiser's main source of income comes from Oil & Gas, Banking.

In which industry does George Kaiser primarily operate?

George Kaiser is primarily involved in the Energy industry.

What is George Kaiser educational background?

George Kaiser holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Harvard University and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University.

How old is George Kaiser?

George Kaiser is 83 years old.

How many children does George Kaiser have?

George Kaiser has 3 children.

What are some of George Kaiser's major achievements in his early life?

George Kaiser attended Central High School in Tulsa and earned a BA from Harvard College in 1964 followed by an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1966. He briefly considered the U.S. Foreign Service before working for his father's business.

How has George Kaiser impacted the banking and oil industries?

George Kaiser has made significant contributions to the banking and oil industries. He transformed Kaiser-Francis Oil Company into a top U.S. energy exploration firm and turned Bank of Oklahoma into a major bank with operations in nine states after buying it out of receivership in 1990.

What are the highlights of George Kaiser's philanthropic efforts?

George Kaiser is a noted philanthropist focusing on childhood poverty through his Family Foundation, establishing the Tulsa Community Foundation, and supporting education and healthcare. He's listed on BusinessWeek's list of top American philanthropists and has made The Giving Pledge.

What role has George Kaiser played in politics and philanthropy?

George Kaiser has donated more to the Democratic Party than Republican Party candidates, being a fundraiser for Barack Obama's 2008 campaign. His philanthropy focuses on anonymous giving, and he’s been a major benefactor to the Jewish community and supports policies that redistribute wealth for social benefits.