MICHAEL BLOOMBERG
Founder of Bloomberg LP, former NYC Mayor, philanthropist
Michael Bloomberg got fired from Salomon Brothers, used his $10 million severance to build a financial data terminal, and turned that terminal into a $100 billion media empire that Wall Street literally cannot function without. Then he became mayor of New York City for 12 years. Then he spent $1 billion running for president (and lost). Then he went back to giving away his fortune. The man who made "data" the most powerful word on Wall Street.
Net Worth
$106 Billion
Nationality
American
Time Horizon
Generational
Risk Appetite
7 / 10
Net Worth Context
- · Could buy every NFL team simultaneously and still have $-54B left.
- · Earns roughly $10,084 per minute — assuming 5% annual return.
CAREER & BACKGROUND
Michael Bloomberg was a partner at Salomon Brothers until he was fired in 1981 during a merger. He received a $10 million severance and used it to start Innovative Market Systems (later renamed Bloomberg LP).
The idea was a computer terminal that gave bond traders real-time pricing, analytics, and news — information that was previously available only through phone calls and paper. The Bloomberg Terminal became indispensable on Wall Street — today, over 325,000 terminals are leased at $25,000/year each, generating over $10 billion in annual revenue.
Bloomberg LP expanded into news (Bloomberg News, Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Businessweek). Bloomberg served three terms as mayor of New York City (2002-2013), spending over $250 million of his own money on campaigns.
He ran for president in 2020, spending over $1 billion before dropping out. He has given away over $17 billion to philanthropy.
COMPANIES & ROLES
Bloomberg LP (founder, 88% owner, $100B+ valuation), Bloomberg Philanthropies ($17B+ donated), Mayor of New York City (2002-2013)
INVESTING STYLE & PHILOSOPHY
Bloomberg's "investment" is Bloomberg LP — he owns 88% of a private company worth over $100 billion. He has never taken it public and has no plans to.
His personal investment portfolio beyond Bloomberg LP is not publicly detailed, but his philanthropic investing is massive — $17+ billion to climate change, public health, education, arts, and gun control causes. His approach is analytical and data-driven in all areas.
THE PLAYBOOK
Risk Approach
Moderate in terms of financial risk — Bloomberg LP prints money so reliably that his wealth grows almost automatically. But he has taken enormous personal and political risks: running for NYC mayor as a Republican in a Democratic city, spending $1 billion on a presidential campaign, and funding gun control advocacy in a country where that is politically dangerous.
Money Habits
Bloomberg is extremely wealthy but not known for lavish personal spending (by billionaire standards). He owns homes in New York, London, and Bermuda.
His main "spending" is philanthropy — $17+ billion donated. He has signed the Giving Pledge and plans to give away the majority of his fortune.
BIGGEST WIN
Bloomberg LP. Turning a $10 million severance package into a $100+ billion private company is one of the greatest entrepreneurial achievements in history.
The Bloomberg Terminal is so deeply embedded in global finance that it is essentially a toll booth on Wall Street — 325,000 subscribers paying $25,000/year, with near-zero churn.
BIGGEST MISTAKE
The 2020 presidential campaign. Bloomberg spent over $1 billion — the most expensive self-funded campaign in US history — and dropped out after a poor debate performance and disappointing Super Tuesday results.
He won only American Samoa. It was the most expensive political experiment that did not work.
FINANCIAL PHILOSOPHY
Data is the ultimate currency. Bloomberg built his fortune on the insight that whoever has the best data, organized in the most useful way, wins.
This applies to finance, politics, and philanthropy. He approaches every problem — including running a city and giving away money — with rigorous data analysis.
FAMILY & PERSONAL LIFE
Divorced from Susan Brown. Two daughters.
In a long-term relationship with Diana Taylor. Based in New York City.
EDUCATION
Johns Hopkins University (BS in Electrical Engineering), Harvard Business School (MBA).
BOOKS & RESOURCES
Bloomberg by Bloomberg (autobiography), Bloomberg LP financial reports (private), Bloomberg Philanthropies annual reports
QUOTES (6)
The Bloomberg Terminal is $25,000 a year and people pay it without blinking because it makes them millions. Price does not matter when the value is clear.
I have given away $17 billion because you cannot take it with you and your grandchildren do not need $100 billion.
I got fired and used my severance to start a company. Getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me.
I spent $1 billion running for president and lost. That is an expensive lesson in the limits of money in politics.
Data is the most powerful force in business. The person with the best data makes the best decisions. That is not an opinion — it is math.
NETFIGO SCORE
Proprietary 5-dimension investor rating
Risk Appetite
Contrarian Index
Track Record
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Head-to-Head
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