Disclaimer: This article was written for informational purposes only.
This man. When word is out about the richest person in your state, it's easy to assume they must have relocated from elsewhere - another state or even another country. Not home-grown.
Meet Florida's born and raised richest man in the state.
Kenneth Cordele Griffin
Kenneth Griffin was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, on October 15, 1968. His formative years were spent in Boca Raton with his mother and father, a building supplies executive.
An enterprising teen, Griffin ran a discount mail-order education software firm, EDCOM from his bedroom. The high schooler had his eyes on becoming a businessman or attorney.
In the fall of 1986, Griffin not only started at Harvard College but, he also took on investing with a vengeance. One of his first investments turned a $5000 profit. He convinced the school to approve his installation of a satellite dish on the roof of his dorm so he could receive stock quotes.
Griffin collected funds from his grandmother and a few people to create a brokerage account for $100,000. By 1987, at just 19 years old, his first fund launched with $265,000.
Two years later he received his degree in economics.
Florida's Richest Man
Kenneth Griffin is an American hedge fund manager, investor, and entrepreneur. Not only the founder, chief executive officer, co-chief investment officer, and 80% owner of Citadel LLC, a multinational hedge fund, he also owns Citadel Securities, one of the largest market makers in the U.S.
He nabbed the Miami record - for most expensive residential real estate transfer - when he purchased a four-acre compound in Coconut Grove for nearly $110 million. The waterfront gem was listed for $150 million and he made a deal for the Miami property.
Griffin has spent hundreds of millions of dollars purchasing South Florida real estate for at least a decade.
Net Worth
Last year at this time, in April of 2023, Griffin's net worth was estimated to be $35 billion. He was considered the 38th richest person in the world and 21st on the 2022 "Forbes 400" list of richest Americans.
Kenneth Griffin has donated in access of $1.5 billion to a multitude of charitable causes. His focus is on education, medical research, and economic mobility. As a result, "Griffin has helped increase access to quality education, prevent violent crime, expand cultural institutions, protect democracy and free speech, and save lives through medical research."
Forbes named him on their 2023 list of the United States' Most Generous Givers.
Griffin's exemplary leadership through his charitable contributions earned him the 2022 Simon-DeVos Prize for Philanthropic Leadership. Philanthropy Roundtable honors a living philanthropist who raises the bar.
When the pandemic overtook life as we knew it, countries were shutting down to avoid spreading the infectious disease. Griffin learned of an urgent situation involving one of his colleagues. She and her family were stuck in Wuhan, China.
Griffin discovered that hundreds of Americans suffered the same fate of being stranded overseas. He and his partners found a way to help the people return home safely.
Griffin and his partners secured enough planes for transport. The problem solvers saved hundreds of Americans because they could, not because they had to.
Just a few of Griffin's generous involvements include:
Griffin gives credit for his success in both business and philanthropy, where he feels it's due. His parents and grandparents taught him life-long valuable lessons that continue to guide him.
“From my father, I learned about the importance of pursuing a career that I’m passionate about,” said Griffin. “From my mother, I learned the importance of learning and making a difference.”
“Thanks to my parents and grandparents and the incredible freedoms provided to individuals in America, I had the ability to pursue my dreams.” -- Griffin
Griffin personifies the art of paying it forward. As he pursues his dreams, countless others realize theirs.
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