George Kaiser Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Explore George Kaiser net worth, relationships, age/birthdate, and birthday — from oil and banking empire to philanthropy and private life.
loveness92 
George Kaiser Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday
George Kaiser is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist, recognized for building a multi-billion-dollar empire in oil, banking, and private equity — and for his substantial philanthropic investments in early childhood education and community development.
Introduction
George Bruce Kaiser — born July 29, 1942 — stands among the most influential but private titans of American business. Known for transforming a modest family oil business into a sprawling energy and financial empire, his estimated net worth has reached into the double-digit billions. Married (to a public figure), and a long-time supporter of social causes through his foundation, Kaiser remains a quietly powerful figure in banking, energy, and philanthropy.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | George Bruce Kaiser |
| Age/Birthdate | July 29, 1942 |
| Birthday | July 29 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Businessman — energy, banking, private equity, philanthropy |
| Estimated Net Worth | ≈ US$14 billion — US$16 billion (various estimates) |
| Relationship Status | Married to Myra Block (second wife) |
| Known For | Chairman & majority owner of BOK Financial Corporation; owner of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company; founder of George Kaiser Family Foundation; major philanthropist and early-childhood education advocate. |
From Family Oil Roots to Corporate Powerhouse
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Jewish refugees who fled Nazi Germany in the late 1930s, George Kaiser inherited more than just a name — he inherited opportunity coupled with resilience.
He attended public schools in Tulsa before earning a Bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1964, then an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1966. Although he briefly considered a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, Kaiser chose to return home to help with his family’s modest energy business.
When his father suffered a heart attack in 1969, George took over Kaiser-Francis Oil Company. Under his leadership, the once-small oil firm grew exponentially. Over decades, Kaiser-Francis became a major privately held energy exploration and production company — by some accounts ranking among the largest nonpublic energy firms in the United States.
Defining moments in George Kaiser's journey include:
-
Returning from Harvard to Tulsa to join the family business.
-
Taking over Kaiser-Francis Oil Company in 1969.
-
Acquiring a near-defunct bank in 1991 and transforming it into a multi-state financial institution.
-
Gradually diversifying into banking, private equity, energy, and philanthropy.
The Core Pillars of His Wealth
The core pillars of George Kaiser’s wealth include:
| Pillar | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Exploration & Production | As head of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company, a privately held firm operating thousands of wells, he accumulated substantial wealth from energy production. |
| Banking & Finance | He acquired BOK Financial Corporation (then Bank of Oklahoma) in 1991 when it was in receivership, and built it into a regional banking powerhouse. |
| Private Equity & Diversified Investments | Beyond oil and banking, Kaiser has had interests in various sectors via private equity — further diversifying his portfolio. |
Through these pillars, his wealth has been sustained and grown over decades — even as he remained relatively under the public spotlight.
Relationships & Private Life
Though immensely wealthy and influential, George Kaiser has largely kept his personal life discreet. What is publicly known underscores a life balanced between business, family, and philanthropy.
-
Kaiser married twice. His first wife, Betty Eudene, was a devoted literacy advocate; she passed away in 2002. They had three children — Philip, Leah, and Emily — and grandchildren.
-
His second wife, Myra Block, is a curator and fiber-art expert, founder of the art space 108 Contemporary. The couple divides their time between Tulsa, Oklahoma and San Francisco, California.
Key insights into George Kaiser’s relationships and personal life:
-
He values privacy: despite immense wealth and influence, he rarely gives interviews or attends public social functions.
-
His family background shaped his worldview: the legacy of his parents — refugees who rebuilt their lives and started an oil venture — appears to inform his business discipline and philanthropic commitment.
-
Children and grandchildren are part of his legacy, though he avoids publicizing family details beyond basic facts.
Beyond Business — Values, Philanthropy & Lifestyle
Beyond career success, George Kaiser leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:
-
A deep commitment to philanthropy through the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF), channeling billions into early childhood education, healthcare, and community development.
-
A preference for modesty: though wealthy, Kaiser reportedly owns no yachts or private jets, dividing his time between homes in Tulsa and San Francisco.
-
A belief in using wealth to foster opportunity: he has publicly said that those “who have won the ovarian lottery by being born in an advanced society to loving parents have a special obligation to help restore the American Dream.”
Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis
Evaluations of George Kaiser’s net worth vary depending on source and methodology. Below is a breakdown of the major components that drive his wealth.
| Category | Estimated Value | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Oil & Gas (Kaiser-Francis Oil Company) | Major share of his wealth | Privately held; value inferred from company’s scope and industry metrics. |
| Banking (BOK Financial Corporation) | Significant — controlling majority stake | Ownership of BOKF underpins much of his liquid and equity net worth. |
| Private Equity & Diversified Holdings | Substantial — various assets across sectors | Investments via private equity broaden his wealth base beyond oil and banking. |
Because much of his wealth comes from privately held enterprises, public estimates tend to vary — with many reputable outlets placing his net worth in the $14–16 billion range.
Public Image, Influence & Legacy
George Kaiser’s influence transcends boardrooms and balance sheets. Though he deliberately shuns publicity, his legacy is deeply woven into the social and economic fabric of Tulsa and beyond.
-
Through the George Kaiser Family Foundation, he has become one of America’s more impactful philanthropists, focusing on early childhood education, health, and community rejuvenation.
-
His approach contrasts sharply with flashy billionaire lifestyles: relatively low-profile, private, and mission-driven.
-
In the industries he helped shape — oil, banking, energy finance — Kaiser’s strategic investments and stewardship have left a lasting institutional footprint that extends beyond wealth accumulation.
Because of this blend of business acumen and silent philanthropy, he is often viewed not just as a “rich man,” but as a steward of long-term social impact — someone who channels financial success into structural change.
Conclusion
George Bruce Kaiser’s journey — from the son of refugees in Tulsa to a billionaire spanning oil, banking, and philanthropy — is a vivid illustration of vision, discipline, and purpose. With an estimated net worth in the tens of billions, a private yet steady personal life, and a philanthropic reach that supports disadvantaged communities, Kaiser stands out as a billionaire who understands that wealth is not just for accumulation, but for long-term impact.
His birthdate, July 29, 1942 — and his birthday, July 29 — mark the beginning of a life that quietly reshaped industries and invested in human potential. In a world dazzled by flash and noise, George Kaiser’s legacy may prove most profound in the silent transformations he enabled.
