What is Harold Simmons' Net Worth?
Harold Simmons was an American businessman who had a net worth of $10 billion at the time of his death. During his lifetime, Harold Simmons was one of the richest people in Texas. His net worth is a good indicator of his success in the world of business – particularly in the process of the leveraged buyout, or "LBO," a concept which Simmons helped to devise. Through this financial practice, he currently owns or has owned a variety of large companies, including NL Industries, Titanium Metals Corporation, CompX International, Valhi Inc., and Kronos Worldwide – which despite its somewhat sinister name is simply a manufacturer and marketer of titanium dioxide. In addition to Simmons' business acumen, he is known for his political activism as well. Since the 1980s, he has been strongly associated with various right wing politicians and candidates, most notably as a big donor to the campaigns of future presidents such as Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush. Unlike many billionaires, Simmons was born in a middle class family – his parents were both teachers. After getting a degree in economics from the University of Texas at Austin, Simmons found work at a variety of banks and other financial institutions before eventually arriving at his current position through a series of leveraged buyouts. He has also contributed huge amounts of money to various charities.
1989: Portrait of billionaire investor Harold Simmons (Photo by Nancy R. Schiff/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
