LeaderPortfolio
Rees
Michael Rees
Rank #3108
UNITED STATESFinance & InvestmentsPrivate equity

Michael Rees

Net Worth
$1.148B
-0.85% (24h)
Michael Rees is a prominent figure in the finance industry, co-founding and co-presiding over Blue Owl Capital, a financial services firm with approximately $250 billion in assets under management as of 2025. His wealth source stems from private equity, notably through his leadership at Blue Owl's GP Strategic Capital platform, which specializes in acquiring minority stakes in private equity firms. Rees's career includes significant roles at Lehman Brothers, where he held positions such as Head of Asset Management Strategy, and as a founding employee and shareholder of Neuberger Berman. His net worth is estimated at $1.2 billion as of 2024. Rees resides in New Canaan, Connecticut.

How to read Michael Rees'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 Michael Rees, 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 $1.148B alongside global rank #3108, 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

Michael Rees was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh. He also earned a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree in Technology Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Rise to Success

Rees began his career at Marakon Associates as an associate in 1998. He then transitioned to Lehman Brothers in 2001, eventually becoming a Managing Director. After the 2008 financial crisis, Rees co-founded Dyal Capital as a subsidiary of Neuberger Berman. Dyal Capital focused on acquiring minority stakes in private equity firms. In 2021, Dyal Capital merged with Owl Rock Capital to form Blue Owl Capital.

Key Business Strategies

Rees's strategic approach centers on acquiring minority stakes in established private equity firms, a strategy that provides capital to managers while allowing them to maintain operational control. This model provides a unique revenue stream through fees and carried interest. As co-president of Blue Owl Capital, Rees is responsible for deploying capital and overseeing Blue Owl GP Strategic Capital, which manages $66 billion.

Philanthropy

Rees and his family donated $3 million to the New Canaan Library, which renamed its Children's Room as The Rees Family Children's Library in 2023. He also serves on the boards of The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and The Opportunity Network.

Career Timeline

2021

Co-founder and Co-President

Blue Owl Capital formed through the merger of Dyal Capital and Owl Rock Capital.

2009

Founder

Founded Dyal Capital as a subsidiary of Neuberger Berman.

2001

Managing Director

Joined Lehman Brothers.

1998

Associate

Began career at Marakon Associates.

Philanthropic Impact

Education$3M

New Canaan Library Donation

Donation to the New Canaan Library; Children's Room renamed The Rees Family Children's Library.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Blue Owl Capital Inc.

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Michael Rees was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned a Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and a Bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh. He also earned a master's degree in Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree in Technology Policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Rise to Success

Rees began his career at Marakon Associates as an associate in 1998. He then transitioned to Lehman Brothers in 2001, eventually becoming a Managing Director. After the 2008 financial crisis, Rees co-founded Dyal Capital as a subsidiary of Neuberger Berman. Dyal Capital focused on acquiring minority stakes in private equity firms. In 2021, Dyal Capital merged with Owl Rock Capital to form Blue Owl Capital.

Key Business Strategies

Rees's strategic approach centers on acquiring minority stakes in established private equity firms, a strategy that provides capital to managers while allowing them to maintain operational control. This model provides a unique revenue stream through fees and carried interest. As co-president of Blue Owl Capital, Rees is responsible for deploying capital and overseeing Blue Owl GP Strategic Capital, which manages $66 billion.

Philanthropy

Rees and his family donated $3 million to the New Canaan Library, which renamed its Children's Room as The Rees Family Children's Library in 2023. He also serves on the boards of The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research and The Opportunity Network.

Data Sources & Methodology

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