Early Life
Robert Muse Bass was born on March 19, 1948, in Fort Worth, Texas. His father, Perry Richardson Bass, was an investor and philanthropist, and his mother, Nancy Lee Bass, was also a philanthropist. He has three brothers: Lee Marshall Bass, Ed Bass, and Sid Bass. Bass attended The Governor's Academy and graduated from Yale University with a bachelor of arts degree. He then received a master of business administration from Stanford University.
Rise to Success
In 1959, Robert Bass and his brothers each inherited $2.8 million from their oil tycoon uncle Sid Richardson. Bass's father founded Bass Brothers Enterprises in 1960. Robert Bass founded the Robert M. Bass Group as his personal investment company in 1985. In 1986, he founded Oak Hill Capital Partners. He was involved in key buyouts, including Taft Broadcasting in 1987. He sold the Plaza Hotel to Donald Trump in 1988.
Key Business Strategies
Bass's key business strategies involved strategic investments in diverse sectors, including oil and gas, real estate, financial services, and technology. His ability to identify undervalued assets and companies with strong growth potential allowed him to build a diverse and successful portfolio. He also made investments in Aerion Corporation, a developer of supersonic business jets.
Philanthropy
Robert Bass has been involved in numerous philanthropic initiatives, primarily in the areas of education and healthcare. He and his wife, Anne Bass, have made significant donations to institutions such as Stanford University, Duke University, and Cook Children's Medical Center. In 2013, the Anne T. and Robert M. Bass Foundation gave $50 million to Duke University to support Bass Connections, an initiative that encourages interdisciplinary study and collaboration.