H. Ross Perot, Sr.

$4.10 B

Ranked #478 in World

About H. Ross Perot, Sr.

H. Ross Perot, a pioneering figure in American business and politics, was born in Texarkana, Texas, on June 27, 1930. His early education at local institutions laid the foundation for his later achievements. After serving as a lieutenant in the Navy post-World War II, Perot entered the business world, joining IBM before founding Electronic Data Systems in 1962, a venture that propelled him onto the global stage. His foray into politics was marked by his independent presidential run in 1992, where he garnered an impressive 18.9% of the popular vote, the highest for a third-party candidate since 1912, and later established the Reform Party for the 1996 elections. Perot's policy positions ranged from opposing NAFTA to advocating for stronger gun control measures. Remembered for his pragmatic approach to both business and politics, Perot passed away on July 9, 2019, leaving behind a legacy as a self-made billionaire and reformist. His life reflected a commitment to public service and innovation, influencing American political thought and practice.

Born

June 27, 1930 in Texarkana, Texas, U.S.

Died

July 09, 2019 (aged 89)

Source Of Wealth

Computer Services, Real Estate

Industries

Diversified

Citizenship

United States

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, United States Naval Academy

Spouse

Margot Birmingham (Married: 1956)

Children

5, including Ross Jr.

H. Ross Perot was born on June 27, 1930, in Texarkana, Texas, to Lula May and Gabriel Ross Perot. He attended Patty Hill, a local private school, and graduated from Texas High School in 1947. Perot joined the Boy Scouts of America and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 1942. He then attended Texarkana Junior College from 1947 to 1949 before entering the United States Naval Academy in 1949.

H. Ross Perot, Sr.: Family

H. Ross Perot was married to Margot Birmingham, and they had five children and 19 grandchildren.

H. Ross Perot, Sr.: Career Highlights

After leaving the Navy, Perot joined IBM as a salesman and quickly became a top employee. In 1962, he founded Electronic Data Systems (EDS), providing data processing services to large corporations. EDS went public in 1968, and its stock price soared, making Perot a wealthy businessman. General Motors bought a controlling interest in EDS in 1984 for $2.4 billion. Perot founded Perot Systems in 1988, which was later acquired by Dell in 2009 for $3.9 billion.

H. Ross Perot, Sr.: Companies

H. Ross Perot founded or was involved in the following companies:

Electronic Data Systems (EDS)
Perot Systems

H. Ross Perot, Sr.: Major Achievements

Perot's major achievements include:

Building EDS into a successful data processing company
Running for president as an independent candidate in 1992 and 1996
Advocating for various causes and issues, such as stricter gun control, increased research in AIDS, and openly supporting gay rights

H. Ross Perot, Sr.: Awards & Achievements

Perot was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions, including the Golden Plate Award (1970), Hall of Great Westerners (1985), Winston Churchill Award (1986), Humanitarian Award (1980), S. Roger Horchow Award (1986), Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame (1988), Honorary Green Beret (2009), Honorary Chairman of the OSS Society (2009), Distinguished Alumnus (2009), Sylvanus Thayer Award (2009), Distinguished Leadership Award (2010), William J.

Donovan Award (2010), Boots on the Ground Award (2011), and the naming of Pachyrhinosaurus perotorum after the Perot family (2011).

H. Ross Perot, Sr.: Personal Life & Legacy

Perot was married to Margot Birmingham, and they had five children and 19 grandchildren. He died from leukemia in Dallas, Texas, on July 9, 2019, at age 89. Perot's legacy includes his successful business career, his political activism, and his advocacy for various causes and issues.

H. Ross Perot, Sr.: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about H. Ross Perot:

Perot was a licensed pilot and owned several aircraft.
He was a member of the Freemasons and the Knights of Columbus.
Perot was a supporter of the arts and donated millions of dollars to various cultural institutions.
He was a strong advocate for education and established the Perot Foundation to support educational initiatives.
Perot was known for his outspoken personality and his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.

Wealth History

Timeline

June 27, 1930

H. Ross Perot was born in Texarkana, Texas.

1942

Perot achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.

1947

Perot graduated from Texas High School and attended Texarkana Junior College.

1949

Perot entered the United States Naval Academy.

1953-1957

Perot served as a junior officer on a destroyer and later an aircraft carrier.

1957

Perot left the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant.

1962

Perot founded Electronic Data Systems (EDS), providing data processing services to large corporations.

1968

EDS went public, and its stock price soared, making Perot a wealthy businessman.

1984

General Motors bought a controlling interest in EDS for $2.4 billion.

1988

Perot founded Perot Systems, which was later acquired by Dell in 2009 for $3.9 billion.

Late 1980s

Perot engaged in unauthorized back-channel discussions with Vietnamese officials regarding the Vietnam War POW/MIA issue.

1992

Perot announced his intention to run as an independent presidential candidate in the 1992 election.

July 1992

Perot withdrew from the 1992 presidential race due to various factors, including threats and concerns about the electoral process.

October 1992

Perot re-entered the 1992 presidential race and campaigned extensively.

1992

Perot received 18.9% of the popular vote in the 1992 election, making him the most successful non-major-party presidential candidate since 1912.

1995

Perot founded the Reform Party and won their presidential nomination for the 1996 election.

1996

Perot ran as an Independent on many state ballots due to ballot access laws and received 8% of the popular vote.

2000

Perot endorsed George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election.

2008 and 2012

Perot endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections.

July 9, 2019

H. Ross Perot passed away at the age of 89 in Dallas, Texas.

H. Ross Perot, Sr. : FAQs

What is H. Ross Perot, Sr.'s net worth?

As of 2019, H. Ross Perot, Sr.'s net worth was $4.10 billion.

What are H. Ross Perot, Sr.'s main sources of wealth?

H. Ross Perot, Sr.'s main source of income comes from Computer Services, Real Estate.

In which industry does H. Ross Perot, Sr. primarily operate?

H. Ross Perot, Sr. is primarily involved in the Diversified industry.

What is H. Ross Perot, Sr. educational background?

H. Ross Perot, Sr. holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from United States Naval Academy.

Is H. Ross Perot, Sr. dead?

Yes, H. Ross Perot, Sr. died on July 09, 2019 (aged 89).

How many children does H. Ross Perot, Sr. have?

H. Ross Perot, Sr. has 5 children.

What early life events shaped H. Ross Perot's character and ambitions?

Born in Texarkana, Texas, H. Ross Perot's early life was marked by his attainment of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and his education, which included attending Patty Hill private school and graduating from Texas High School before furthering his studies at Texarkana Junior College and the United States Naval Academy.

How did H. Ross Perot's military career influence his later success in business?

Serving as a junior officer in the Navy, Perot gained leadership and organizational skills which laid the foundation for his future success in business, notably in founding Electronic Data Systems (EDS) and Perot Systems.

What were the key achievements of H. Ross Perot's business career?

Perot founded EDS in 1962, making a significant mark in the data processing industry. After EDS went public in 1968, its success made Perot a billionaire. He later founded Perot Systems in 1988, which Dell acquired in 2009 for $3.9 billion.

How did H. Ross Perot impact American politics in the 1990s?

Perot's independent presidential campaign in 1992, where he received 18.9% of the popular vote, highlighted his significant impact on American politics by bringing attention to economic and political reform. He founded the Reform Party in 1995 and ran again in 1996, securing 8% of the vote.

What were the enduring legacies of H. Ross Perot's life and career at the time of his death?

At the time of his death in 2019, Perot was remembered for his contributions to business innovation, his political campaigns that challenged the two-party system, and his advocacy for various causes, leaving behind a legacy of pragmatism, philanthropy, and a family of five children and 19 grandchildren.