Date of Birth: May 11, 1966
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Biography
William Albert Ackman, commonly known as Bill Ackman, is a prominent American investor, hedge fund manager, and philanthropist. He was born in Chappaqua, New York, and is best known as the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, a hedge fund management company. Ackman is a graduate of Harvard College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in History in 1988, and Harvard Business School, where he received an MBA in 1992. Ackman started his career in the investment world with his first firm, Gotham Partners, which he co-founded in 1992. However, it was with Pershing Square Capital Management, founded in 2004, that he achieved significant success and recognition. Ackman is known for his activist investing style, where he buys significant stakes in public companies and pushes for changes to unlock shareholder value. Some of his most notable investments and campaigns include those in companies like JC Penney, Target Corporation, Valeant Pharmaceuticals, and Herbalife. Bill Ackman is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has signed The Giving Pledge, committing to give away the majority of his wealth to charitable causes. He has supported various causes, including education reform, human rights, and aid for underprivileged communities.
5 Interesting Facts about Bill Ackman
1. Bill Ackman is known for his high-profile short position against Herbalife, which he called a pyramid scheme, sparking significant controversy and a public feud with other investors.
2. He played a major role in the turnaround of Canadian Pacific Railway, leading to substantial improvements in the company’s operational performance and stock price.
3. Ackman was once involved in a failed attempt to buy Barnes & Noble with his first firm, Gotham Partners.
4. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Ackman made a highly profitable bet against the market, turning a $27 million investment into $2.6 billion by purchasing credit protection.
5. He is a significant supporter of the arts and has donated millions to institutions such as the Pershing Square Signature Center in New York City.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bill Ackman
1. “Investing is a business where you can look very silly for a long period of time before you are proven right.”
2. “Experience is making mistakes and learning from them.”
3. “No one ever achieved greatness by playing it safe.”
4. “The most important thing in investing is to be patient and to stick with your conviction.”
5. “The best investments are often the ones you don’t make.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Bill Ackman is estimated to be around $2.3 billion.
Children
Bill Ackman has three children: Eloise Ackman, Lucy Ackman, and Liza Ackman.
Relevant Links
1. [Bill Ackman – Forbes Profile](https://www.forbes.com/profile/bill-ackman/
2. [Pershing Square Capital Management](https://www.pershingsquareholdings.com/
3. [The Giving Pledge – Bill Ackman](https://givingpledge.org/Pledger.aspx?id=178
4. [Bill Ackman – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Ackman
5. [Bill Ackman Interview on CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/bill-ackman/
