Sir William Felix Browder, KCMG (born 23 April 1964) is an American-born English financier and political activist. He is the CEO and co-founder of Hermitage Capital Management, once the largest foreign portfolio investor in Russia. Founded with Republic National Bank and $25 million in seed capital, the Hermitage Fund grew to $4.5 billion.
In 1997, it was the world’s best-performing fund, up 238%. Known for shareholder rights activism, Browder challenged major Russian companies. On 13 November 2005, he was deported and labeled a security threat by Russia.
RELATED: Princess Charlotte Net Worth: The Young Royal’s Inherited Wealth
Table of Contents
Bill Browder Net Worth
Bill Browder has a net worth of $100 million. He is the co-founder and CEO of Hermitage Capital Management. On November 22, 2019, Der Spiegel, a German news magazine, published an article claiming Browder’s accusations regarding the Magnitsky Case did not withstand close scrutiny.
An English version followed on November 26, 2019. After Browder filed a complaint with Der Spiegel and the German Press Council, the magazine released another article presenting its evidence and reaffirming its position on the matter.
Early life
William Felix Browder was born in Princeton, New Jersey, and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He is the son of mathematician Felix Browder and the grandson of communist leader Earl Browder.
He began his studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder, then transferred to the University of Chicago, earning a degree in economics. In 1989, he received an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and entered the financial sector, beginning a career that would later lead to global prominence as an activist investor.
Career
Browder began his career at the Boston Consulting Group in London, focusing on Eastern Europe, then worked for Robert Maxwell’s Maxwell Communication Corporation. He later managed Russian investments at Salomon Brothers. In 1999, he became a British citizen, having renounced U.S. citizenship in 1998.
He cited a “legacy of bad feeling about the rule of law” due to his family’s persecution during McCarthyism, particularly his grandfather Earl Browder, who was imprisoned twice. His decision reflected deep resentment toward past U.S. government actions.
Personal life
Browder’s grandfather, Earl Browder, born in Kansas in 1891, was a radical who lived in the Soviet Union from 1927, marrying Raisa Berkman, a Jewish Russian.
Returning to the U.S. in 1931, he led the Communist Party USA from 1930 to 1945 and ran for president in 1936 and 1940. Earl and Raisa had three sons, all mathematicians, including Felix Browder, Bill Browder’s father, a math prodigy. During McCarthyism, Felix was helped by Eleanor Roosevelt and later chaired University of Chicago’s math department.
Who is the CEO of Hermitage Capital Management?
Bill Browder holds the position of CEO at Hermitage Capital Management, a role he has been associated with since co-founding the company.
Conclusion
Bill Browder’s journey from a young man influenced by a family with a complex history to becoming a key player in international finance and a political activist is a story of resilience, intelligence, and determination. His net worth reflects not just financial success, but a life spent battling against corruption and advocating for justice.
FAQs about Bill Browder
- Who is Bill Browder? Bill Browder is an American-born British financier and the CEO of Hermitage Capital Management, known for his activism against corporate corruption in Russia.
- What is Bill Browder’s age? Born on April 23, 1964, Bill Browder is 59 years old.
- What educational background does Bill Browder have? Browder graduated with a degree in economics from the University of Chicago and holds an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
- What is Bill Browder’s net worth? Bill Browder’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million.
- What is Bill Browder known for in his career? Browder is renowned for his investment strategies, particularly shareholder rights activism, and for his role in the passage of the Magnitsky Act, which targets human rights violators.
