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Leon Black
Rank #227
UNITED STATES•Finance & Investments•Private equity

Leon Black

Net Worth
$13.557B
-0.6% (24h)
Leon Black is an American private equity investor and co-founder of Apollo Global Management, a leading global alternative investment firm. His source of wealth stems from his success in the private equity industry. Born on July 31, 1951, he is currently 74 years old. Black's career began at Drexel Burnham Lambert before co-founding Apollo Global Management in 1990. Under his leadership, Apollo grew to manage hundreds of billions in assets. Black has also been involved in significant philanthropic endeavors, including the Melanoma Research Alliance. He has a long track record of investments, including in distressed assets, and a personal net worth of $12.3 billion.

How to read Leon Black's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For Leon Black, we anchor the narrative to Private equity and Private equity, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $13.557B alongside global rank #227, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life and Education

Leon Black was born in New York City on July 31, 1951. His father, Eli M. Black, was a prominent businessman who chaired the United Brands Company. Leon Black received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and history from Dartmouth College in 1973 and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1975.

Rise to Success

Black began his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert in 1977, where he rose to become head of the mergers and acquisitions group. After Drexel filed for bankruptcy in 1990, Black co-founded Apollo Global Management with Josh Harris and Marc Rowan. Apollo quickly became a major player in private equity, focusing on corporate restructuring, leveraged buyouts, and investments in growth-oriented companies. Black served as CEO of Apollo for many years, leading the firm's growth and expansion.

Key Business Strategies

Apollo's strategies included buying struggling businesses with significant debt, implementing cost-cutting measures, and generating returns through dividend payments and management fees. Apollo also focused on distressed debt and undervalued assets.

Philanthropy

Leon Black and his wife, Debra Black, are active philanthropists. In 2007, they co-founded the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), which has become the largest private funder of melanoma research globally, committing over $150 million to advance understanding of the disease. Additionally, the Black family launched a philanthropic effort that promotes gender equity by supporting education and advancement opportunities for women and girls.

Career Timeline

2021

Stepped down as CEO of Apollo

Resigned as CEO and Chairman of Apollo Global Management.

2018

Chairman of the Museum of Modern Art

Became chairman of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA).

1990

Co-founded Apollo Global Management

Co-founded Apollo Global Management, an alternative investment firm, with Joshua Harris and Marc Rowan.

1977

Joined Drexel Burnham Lambert

Began his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert, eventually becoming head of mergers and acquisitions.

Philanthropic Impact

Medical Research$150M+

Melanoma Research Alliance

Co-founded the Melanoma Research Alliance, the largest private funder of melanoma research worldwide.

Healthcare$20M

NYC Healthcare Heroes

Launched a philanthropic program to support NYC healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Education$48M

Black Family Visual Arts Center

Donated to Dartmouth College.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Apollo Global Management6.56%$3.971M

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life and Education

Leon Black was born in New York City on July 31, 1951. His father, Eli M. Black, was a prominent businessman who chaired the United Brands Company. Leon Black received a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy and history from Dartmouth College in 1973 and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1975.

Rise to Success

Black began his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert in 1977, where he rose to become head of the mergers and acquisitions group. After Drexel filed for bankruptcy in 1990, Black co-founded Apollo Global Management with Josh Harris and Marc Rowan. Apollo quickly became a major player in private equity, focusing on corporate restructuring, leveraged buyouts, and investments in growth-oriented companies. Black served as CEO of Apollo for many years, leading the firm's growth and expansion.

Key Business Strategies

Apollo's strategies included buying struggling businesses with significant debt, implementing cost-cutting measures, and generating returns through dividend payments and management fees. Apollo also focused on distressed debt and undervalued assets.

Philanthropy

Leon Black and his wife, Debra Black, are active philanthropists. In 2007, they co-founded the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), which has become the largest private funder of melanoma research globally, committing over $150 million to advance understanding of the disease. Additionally, the Black family launched a philanthropic effort that promotes gender equity by supporting education and advancement opportunities for women and girls.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Leon Black are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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