Tom Benson Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Tom Benson was an American businessman and sports-franchise owner renowned for rescuing New Orleans sports — building a legacy through his stewardship of the Saints and Pelicans, and transforming local business and philanthropy.

Setting the Stage: Who Was Tom Benson

Tom Benson was a self-made entrepreneur whose ventures in auto sales, banking, and real estate laid the foundation for his later prominence as owner of the New Orleans Saints (NFL) and New Orleans Pelicans (NBA). Born on July 12, 1927, his leadership and investments at various points estimated his net worth to be in the multi-billion dollar range, making him one of the wealthiest sports-league owners in his era. 

Benson’s life blended business ambition with civic devotion. His relationships — including three marriages and a dedicated spouse at the time of his death — reflect a personal life that was as complex as his business empire. 

Quick Facts

A Journey from Humble Beginnings to Ambitious Empire

From the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans, Tom Benson’s early life was rooted in modest means. Raised as the eldest of four boys, he attended St. Aloysius High School and graduated in 1944. 

World War II intervened — in 1945, Benson enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS South Dakota.  After his service, he returned to New Orleans and studied business and accounting at Loyola University before entering the workforce. 

In 1948, he began working as a bookkeeper for Cathey Chevrolet Co. By 1956, he became a junior partner in a Chevrolet dealership. Six years later, he took full control — marking the birth of what would become a multi-dealership automotive empire across New Orleans and South Texas. 

His ambition didn’t stop at cars. In 1972, he entered the banking sector and eventually made his banking network public under the name Benson Financial World. 

Defining moments in Tom Benson’s journey include:

• Enlisting in the U.S. Navy at the close of World War II, shaping his discipline and worldview.

• Taking full ownership of his first car dealership, initiating his rise in the automotive business.

• Expanding into banking and forming Benson Financial — diversifying his business interests beyond automobiles.

• Purchasing the New Orleans Saints in 1985 to keep the franchise from relocating — a move that changed sports history for New Orleans. 

The Core Pillars of Tom Benson’s Wealth

The foundation of Tom Benson’s fortune lay in a diversified portfolio of businesses, each contributing significantly to his net worth. The core pillars include:

• Automobile dealership network — multiple Chevrolet dealerships in New Orleans and South Texas. 

• Banking enterprises — via Benson Financial, his chain of small Southern banks that eventually went public. 

• Sports franchises — ownership of the New Orleans Saints (1985 onward) and purchase of the New Orleans Pelicans (then Hornets) in 2012. 

• Real estate and redevelopment investments — including revitalizing commercial properties and investing in urban development around sports facilities and downtown New Orleans.

These combined ventures catapulted his estimated net worth to roughly US $2.8 billion by late 2017. 

Personal Life & Relationships

Tom Benson’s personal life was marked by both devotion and complexity. He was married three times. His first wife was Shirley Landry, his second was Grace Marie Trudeau Benson (deceased 2003), and in 2004 he married Gayle Marie LaJaunie — the woman who remained his spouse until his passing. 

He and Shirley adopted three children: Robert Carter Benson, Renee Benson, and Jeanne Marie Benson.However, his relationships with his adopted children — particularly Renee and her own children — became strained later in life, culminating in a legal suit alleging mismanagement and incompetence. 

Key insights into Tom Benson’s relationships and personal life:

• His final marriage to Gayle Benson brought companionship and a partner in philanthropy, with Gayle surviving him and carrying forward many of his charitable efforts. 

• The legal dispute with his adopted daughter and grandchildren underscored tensions around succession and control of his business empire. 

• Despite personal and familial challenges, Benson maintained a strong commitment to his hometown, community values, and charitable giving — which shaped much of his legacy.

Lifestyle, Assets & Passions

Beyond the balance sheets and sports franchises, Tom Benson lived a life defined by philanthropy, civic pride, and community investment. Some of the facets of his lifestyle and interests include:

• Investments in civic and community infrastructure — transforming vacant downtown properties in New Orleans into vibrant commercial and sports-adjacent real estate, helping revitalize the city after economic downturns.

• Support for education and religious institutions — large donations to schools, universities, and religious organizations in New Orleans and San Antonio, including funding stadiums, renovation projects, and scholarship funds. 

• Backing national heritage and veteran causes — serving on the board of the National WWII Museum and contributing financially to exhibits and memorials honoring military service and history. 

• An evident love for New Orleans — through his efforts to keep both the Saints and Pelicans in the city, and by investing in community development that combined business returns with civic pride and local revitalization. 

Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis

While precise figures vary due to valuation methods and fluctuating asset values, this breakdown captures the main components of Tom Benson’s wealth at its peak:

Estimates from outlets such as Forbes placed his net worth at around US $2.8 billion near 2017. Other reports around the time of his death suggested valuations near US $1.7 billion, noting fluctuations depending on market conditions and accounting for liabilities. 

The driving forces behind his wealth growth — diversification (autos, banking, real estate) and high-yield sports franchise ownership — reflect a keen business sense and willingness to reinvest for long-term value.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Tom Benson’s legacy resonates far beyond balance sheets. In New Orleans and among sports communities, he’s remembered as the owner who kept the city’s beloved teams intact. When he bought the Saints in 1985, the team had struggled — by the time of his later years, it had evolved into a powerhouse, winning Super Bowl XLIV in 2009. 

His influence extended through philanthropy — generous donations to educational institutions, healthcare, historic preservation, and veterans’ causes helped reshape the civic landscape in New Orleans and beyond. 

In the public eye, Benson was often viewed as a tough negotiator and shrewd businessman, but also as someone deeply committed to his hometown’s soul. His willingness to hold onto the Saints and Pelicans — even during challenging times — cemented him as a figure of loyalty, resilience, and hometown pride. As one tribute noted, “Tom Benson was New Orleans through-and-through.” 

Even after family legal disputes and controversies over inheritance and succession, much of the public rhetoric around Benson remains one of respect — for his vision, impact, and enduring contributions to sport, community, and city identity.

Final Thoughts: The Marks of a Legacy

Tom Benson’s life story is one of rise from modest origins to immense influence — in business, in sports, and in civic life. With a net worth estimated at billions, he used wealth not only to build an empire but to preserve and uplift a city he cherished. His birthdate, July 12, 1927, and his birthday each year serve as reminders of a man who leveraged grit, ambition, and community devotion to leave a lasting heritage.

Through adversity, tough decisions, and undeniable triumphs, Benson’s journey underlines a timeless truth: real legacy isn’t just measured in wealth, but in the lives lifted, communities sustained, and institutions strengthened long after one is gone.