Early Life
Richard Kinder was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, in 1944. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1966 and a Juris Doctor degree in 1968 from the University of Missouri. During his time at university, he was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity.
Rise to Success
Kinder's career began in the energy business as an attorney with Florida Gas Transmission, which later became part of Enron Corporation through a series of mergers. He became the President and COO of Enron from 1990 to 1996. In 1996, Kinder left Enron and co-founded Kinder Morgan, Inc. with William V. Morgan, purchasing Enron Liquids Pipeline for $40 million. Under Kinder's leadership, Kinder Morgan grew rapidly through strategic acquisitions, including a merger with KN Energy and the acquisition of El Paso Corporation, becoming a major player in the energy infrastructure sector.
Key Business Strategies
Kinder Morgan's success is attributed to several key business strategies. The company focused on acquiring and operating essential energy assets, particularly pipelines and terminals. The company utilized the master limited partnership (MLP) structure for rapid expansion through acquisitions. Kinder Morgan's business model relies on fee-based contracts, providing stable revenue streams and insulating the company from commodity price fluctuations.
Philanthropy
Richard Kinder, along with his wife Nancy, established the Kinder Foundation to support various causes. The foundation focuses on urban green space, education, and quality of life initiatives in Houston. The Kinder Foundation has contributed significantly to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Kinder Institute on Constitutional Democracy, and the creation of Discovery Green, a 12-acre park in downtown Houston. In May 2025, the Kinders pledged $150 million to Texas Children's Hospital and MD Anderson to create the Kinder Children's Cancer Center.