Robert Louis Johnson (born April 8, 1946) is an American entrepreneur, media magnate, executive, philanthropist, and investor. He is the co-founder of BET, which was acquired by Viacom in 2001.
He also founded RLJ Companies, a holding company that invests in various business sectors. Johnson is the former majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats (now Charlotte Hornets). He became the first Black American billionaire in 2001.
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Robert L Johnson Net Worth
Robert L. Johnson has a net worth of $650 million. He is best known for co-founding the Black Entertainment Television (BET) network. In September 2020, during the 2020 general election, Johnson made comments interpreted as indicating a preference for Trump’s reelection over Joe Biden’s campaign.
However, CNBC noted that Johnson, when pressed, refused to outright endorse Trump. During the interview, Johnson stated, “Where I come out as a businessman, I will take the devil I know over the devil I don’t know anytime of the week.”
Early Life
Johnson was born in 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi, the ninth of ten children to Edna and Archie Johnson. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father was a farmer. His parents moved the family to Freeport, Illinois, when he was a child. He was an honors student in high school.
Johnson graduated from the University of Illinois in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in social studies. While at the University of Illinois, he became a member of the Beta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He received a master’s degree in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University in 1972.
Career
After graduating from Princeton, Johnson found a job in Washington, D.C., which introduced him to the television industry. He served as the public affairs director for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In this position, he learned of the power and untapped potential of television. Around the same time, he also worked as the director of communications for the Washington, D.C. office of the National Urban League.
Johnson worked as a press secretary for Congressman Walter E. Fauntroy. He later became vice president of government relations at the National Cable and Television Association (NCTA). In 1980, Johnson launched Black Entertainment Television (BET), which became a full-fledged channel in 1983.
Personal Life
Johnson married Sheila Johnson in 1969. They divorced in 2001 and have two children. She is CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts and owner of Salamander Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club in Palm Harbor. Johnson began dating Lauren Wooden, who is 33 years his junior, in 2010.
As of 2016, Wooden was pursuing an international business-management doctorate in Paris. They married in May 2016; Greg Mathis officiated, and they divorced in 2020.
What is Robert Johnson best known for?
Robert Johnson is best known as the King of the Delta Blues Singers. In the decades after his death, his music’s influence expanded greatly, reaching legendary rock stars like the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Allman Brothers, all of whom praise him and have recorded his songs.
Conclusion
Robert L. Johnson’s journey from broadcasting to banking billions is a narrative of resilience, innovation, and strategic foresight. As a pioneer in the entertainment industry and beyond, his impact resonates through his vast business empire, philanthropic endeavors, and role as a trailblazer in the African-American community.
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FAQs about Robert L. Johnson
- How did Robert L. Johnson become a billionaire? Johnson achieved billionaire status through the sale of BET to Viacom in 2001, making him the first African-American billionaire.
- What was Robert L. Johnson’s role in BET? As co-founder and CEO, Johnson was instrumental in BET’s growth and its focus on African-American audiences, leading to its success and eventual sale.
- Has Robert L. Johnson been involved in sports management? Yes, Johnson made history with his ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats, showcasing his leadership in the sports industry.
- What are some of Robert L. Johnson’s philanthropic efforts? Johnson has been involved in various charitable activities, including hurricane preparedness in the Bahamas and founding the Liberia Enterprise Development Fund.
- What makes Robert L. Johnson a significant figure in American business? Johnson’s pioneering role in creating the first African-American-owned cable channel and becoming the first African-American billionaire mark him as a significant figure in American business and cultural history.
