Jules Kroll Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Explore Jules Kroll net worth, relationships, age/birthdate, and birthday — uncover how he built a multibillion-dollar investigations empire and shaped corporate risk consulting.
Jules Kroll Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday
Jules Kroll is a pioneering corporate investigations entrepreneur, best known for founding the modern private-investigations industry and building a multi-billion-dollar legacy through firms such as Kroll, Inc., K2 Integrity, and KBRA.
Introduction
Jules B. Kroll — born May 18, 1941 — stands among the titans of corporate investigations and risk consulting, a man whose innovations transformed how companies and governments uncover fraud, assess risk, and perform due diligence. His estimated net worth reaches as high as $2 billion. Married to Lynn Korda, his personal life remains grounded by close family ties and a legacy of integrity and influence spanning generations.
After a career that began in law and public service — and evolved into founding one of Wall Street’s most consequential firms — Kroll’s story blends grit, intellect, and bold entrepreneurship.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jules B. Kroll |
| Age/Birthdate | May 18, 1941 |
| Birthday | May 18 |
| Nationality | United States of America |
| Profession | Businessman; Corporate Investigations & Risk Consultant |
| Estimated Net Worth | ≈ US$ 2 Billion |
| Relationship Status | Married — spouse: Lynn Korda |
| Known For | Founding the modern corporate investigations industry; establishing Kroll, Inc., K2 Integrity, and KBRA |
From Legal Beginnings to Building an Empire
Long before headlines, mergers, and billion-dollar deals, Jules Kroll’s early life bore the seeds of his future path. Growing up in Bayside, Queens, as the son of Florence Yondorf and Herman Kroll, he witnessed first-hand how corruption and graft undermined honest business.
After earning a B.A. from Cornell University and a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, Kroll served as an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, and even worked on the campaign of Robert F. Kennedy.
But when his father became ill, Kroll left the courtroom to tend to the family business — a small printing company beset by corrupt purchasing agents demanding kickbacks. Instead of succumbing to extortion, he turned detective. By uncovering the graft and demonstrating inefficiencies, he offered companies (starting with a major comics publisher) the promise of savings — taking a cut of what he saved them.
That unusual pivot proved transformational. In 1972, he founded J. Kroll Associates, which soon evolved into Kroll, Inc. — the firm that became the blueprint for modern corporate investigations and risk consulting.
Defining moments in Jules Kroll’s journey include:
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Exiting law and reviving the family business by rooting out corruption in procurement.
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Winning a major contract with a large comics publisher (Marvel), which established the viability of “investigation as service.”
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Launching Kroll, Inc. in 1972 — institutionalizing corporate investigations on a global scale.
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Expanding internationally under evolving global regulations (e.g., after the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act).
From humble origins to commanding a global investigations empire, Kroll’s journey underscores a rare blend of legal insight, moral urgency, and entrepreneurial audacity.
The Core Pillars of Jules Kroll’s Wealth Include:
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Sale of Kroll, Inc.
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Equity and leadership in successor firms like K2 Integrity and Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA)
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Investments, board memberships, and ongoing advisory roles
How It All Adds Up
| Source | Description |
|---|---|
| Kroll, Inc. Sale | In 2004, Kroll sold the firm to Marsh & McLennan Companies for approximately US$ 1.9 billion. |
| Successor Ventures | Founding K2 Integrity and KBRA, maintaining board roles and equity stakes. |
| Investments & Assets | Diversified holdings beyond his firms contribute to net worth — though some public filings (e.g. for stock holdings) show modest holdings, those do not reflect broader private holdings. |
Relationships & Private Life
Behind the business headlines, Jules Kroll’s personal life reveals a grounded, family-oriented man who values long-term relationships and legacy.
He is married to Lynn Korda, formerly vice chairwoman of a major philanthropic organization. Together, they have four children: two sons — Jeremy Kroll and Nick Kroll — and two daughters, Dana Kroll and Vanessa Kroll Bennett.
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Jeremy followed his father’s footsteps in business, serving as co-founder and CEO of K2 Integrity.
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Nick pursued a different path, achieving fame as a comedian and actor.
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Vanessa is married to journalist Roger Bennett, further extending the family’s footprint beyond business.
Key insights into Jules Kroll’s relationships and personal life:
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His marriage to Lynn Korda has been stable and enduring, providing a private anchor amidst a highly visible career.
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He fostered a family environment valuing both business acumen and creative pursuits — demonstrated by the divergent careers of his children.
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Kroll’s legacy is not only monetary but also generational — his children carry forward his values through both corporate and cultural channels.
Beyond the Boardroom: Lifestyle, Assets & Passions
Beyond career success, Jules Kroll leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:
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Philanthropy & Education: He has served as chair of the foundation for John Jay College of Criminal Justice, demonstrating a commitment to public service and justice.
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Academic Engagement: He remains closely linked to his alma maters — holding roles at Cornell University and Georgetown Law — influencing future generations.
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Legacy Building through Business: Rather than retire outright after selling his original firm, he co-founded successor companies to stay active in shaping the field.
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Global Influence & Risk Work: Through K2 Integrity and KBRA, he remains engaged in high-stakes international investigations, anti-fraud efforts, and compliance services for major corporations and governments.
Understanding the Net Worth: Breakdown & Analysis
Estimating the wealth of someone like Jules Kroll — whose value is tied to private firms, founding equity, and legacy assets — is inherently complex. Most public sources converge on an estimated net worth of $2 billion.
| Category | Estimated Value* | Notes / Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business Ventures (Sale Proceeds, Equity in Successor Firms) | Majority of wealth | Sale of original firm, ongoing equity/stake in K2 Integrity & KBRA |
| Investments & Assets (Real Estate, Private Holdings) | Significant but not publicly itemized | Private holdings inferred — public filings show limited stock holdings which under-represent full portfolio. |
| Board Positions & Advisory Roles | Supplemental wealth & influence | Positions at BlueVoyant, educational institutions, and ongoing firm leadership roles. |
* Figures are approximations based on public estimates and known transactions; actual value may vary depending on private holdings and future valuations.
Public Image, Legacy & Influence
To many in the corporate world, “to Kroll someone” evokes the idea of deep, discreet investigation — a testament to the brand and legacy that Jules Kroll built.
He is often credited with founding the modern corporate investigations industry — a claim borne out by the global spread and adoption of his methods.
At the same time, this influence is nuanced. Some of his firm’s past engagements — including controversial investigations into individuals connected to litigation, reputational damage, or corporate espionage — have attracted ethical scrutiny.
Yet regardless of controversy, his impact on how companies navigate risk, undertake due diligence, and assess reputational exposure is deep and lasting. Through his companies and philanthropic commitments, he remains a respected figure for combining business acumen with an emphasis on integrity and accountability.
Conclusion
Jules B. Kroll’s story is one of transformation — from observing injustice in everyday business dealings to creating a global institution dedicated to exposing corruption and mitigating risk. Born May 18, 1941, his career spans decades of innovation, leadership, and influence. With an estimated net worth of roughly $2 billion, he remains a towering figure in corporate investigations and risk consulting.
He built more than wealth: he built a legacy. Through firms like K2 Integrity and KBRA, through philanthropic and educational commitments, and through a family that extends his influence into business and the arts, Jules Kroll shaped an industry and enshrined a reputation for integrity — leaving a blueprint for others to follow.
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