Early Life
Leslie Lee Alexander was born in New York City on June 30, 1943, to a Jewish family. He earned a Bachelor's degree in economics from New York University in 1965. After the death of his father, Alexander dropped out of Brooklyn Law School to support his mother. He later completed his Juris Doctor from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law.
Rise to Success
Alexander began his career as an attorney and worked in bond trading at Lawrence Kotkin Associates. In 1980, he founded The Alexander Group, an investment company. His business acumen allowed him to accumulate wealth, and in 1993, he purchased the Houston Rockets for $85 million. Under his ownership, the Rockets won back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, led by Hakeem Olajuwon.
Key Business Strategies
Alexander's strategic business moves included forming his own investment company, trading bonds, and investing in various ventures. His purchase of the Houston Rockets proved to be a highly successful investment, as he sold the team in 2017 for a record $2.2 billion.
Philanthropy
Alexander is known for his philanthropic contributions to the Houston community and animal advocacy. In March 2017, he pledged $10 million to 20 Houston charities, including the Houston Area Women's Center and the Houston Public Library Foundation. He also supports a horse sanctuary in Middleburg, Virginia.