Date of Birth: February 22, 1926
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: October 21, 2014
Biography
Nelson Bunker Hunt was an influential American businessman and oil tycoon, best known for his vast influence in the oil industry and his controversial attempt to corner the silver market in the late 1970s. Born into a wealthy family, he was the son of Texas oil legend H.L. Hunt, one of the richest men in America at the time. Bunker Hunt expanded his father’s empire, investing in oil fields around the globe, including Libya and the North Sea. Hunt’s most famous venture occurred in the 1970s when he, along with his brothers William Herbert and Lamar Hunt, attempted to corner the world silver market. They amassed an extraordinary amount of silver, causing prices to skyrocket. However, the scheme ultimately collapsed on “Silver Thursday” in March 1980, leading to significant financial losses and legal battles. Despite this setback, Hunt continued to be a prominent figure in business and philanthropy until his death.
5 Interesting Facts about Nelson Bunker Hunt
1. Nelson Bunker Hunt was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, and grew up in a wealthy oil family.
2. He was one of the largest landowners in the world, owning millions of acres in the United States, Australia, and Libya.
3. Hunt’s attempt to corner the silver market led to the creation of the term “Silver Thursday,” when the market crashed on March 27, 1980.
4. He was a philanthropist, donating large sums to conservative political causes and Christian organizations.
5. Despite his financial troubles, he maintained a passion for breeding and racing thoroughbred horses, owning several champion racehorses.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Nelson Bunker Hunt
1. “A billion dollars isn’t what it used to be.”
2. “Silver is the best investment in the world.”
3. “When you’re right, you’re right. When you’re wrong, you pay the price.”
4. “In the oil business, you need to be lucky, but you also need to be smart.”
5. “We don’t need to be richer; we just need to be safer.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At his peak, Nelson Bunker Hunt’s net worth was estimated to be around $16 billion.
Children
Nelson Bunker Hunt had four children: 1. Caroline Rose Hunt Schoellkopf 2. Nelson Bunker Hunt Jr. 3. Stephen Lee Hunt 4. Houston Bunker Hunt
Relevant Links
1. [Nelson Bunker Hunt – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Bunker_Hunt
3. [Investopedia – Silver Thursday](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/silver-thursday.asp
4. [Forbes Profile](https://www.forbes.com/profile/nelson-bunker-hunt/
5. [Texas Monthly – The Silver King](https://www.texasmonthly.com/articles/the-silver-king/
