Theodore J. Forstmann
| Theodore J. Forstmann | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Theodore Joseph Forstmann February 13, 1940 Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died | November 20, 2011 (aged 71) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Ted Forstmann Teddy Forstmann |
| Alma mater |
Yale University Columbia Law School |
| Occupation | Private Equity Investor |
| Known for | Founder of Forstmann Little & Company Unique subordinated debt fund |
Theodore Joseph "Ted" Forstmann (February 13, 1940 – November 20, 2011) was one of the founding partners of Forstmann Little & Company, a private equity firm, and chairman and CEO of IMG, a global sports and media company. A billionaire, Forstmann was a Republican and a philanthropist. He supported school choice and funded scholarship programs for the disadvantaged. He led a tour of refugee camps in the former Yugoslavia.
Forstmann was born and raised in Greenwich, Connecticut, the second of six children. He was the son of Dorothy (née Mercadante) and Julius Forstmann, who ran a wool business that went bankrupt in 1958. Julius had inherited Forstmann Woolen Co. from his own father, one of the world's richest men. Forstmann had German and Italian ancestry. He was a graduate of Greenwich Country Day School and Phillips Academy. He then played goalie on the ice hockey team at Yale University where he was a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Forstmann later attended Columbia Law School where he earned a juris doctorate, which he financed through gambling proceeds.
Forstmann, an attorney, founded Forstmann Little in 1978 with his younger brother Nicholas, and Brian Little. Forstmann's second brother, J. Anthony Forstmann, founded ForstmannLeff.
Under Forstmann's leadership, Forstmann Little & Company made 31 acquisitions and significant investments and returned more than $15 billion of profits to investors. In addition to IMG, some of the firm's investments include Gulfstream Aerospace, Dr. Pepper, The Topps Co., Stanadyne Corp., Community Health Systems, Ziff Davis, Yankee Candle, General Instrument Corporation, and most recently, Citadel Broadcasting and 24 Hour Fitness.
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