Robert F. Smith Biography
Robert F. Smith, born on December 1, 1962, is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He founded, chairs, and serves as the CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that invests in software, data, and technology-enabled businesses.
Smith is renowned for his philanthropic efforts, including his notable pledge to pay off the student loan debt of the entire 2019 graduating class of Morehouse College. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. Before founding Vista Equity Partners, he worked as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs.
Age
Robert F. Smith was born on December 1, 1962. As of 2024, he is 61 years old and will be turning 62 years old on December 1, 2024.
Height and Weight
Robert is approximately 5 feet 11 inches (178 cm) tall and weighs around 80 kg
Hobbies
In his leisure hours, he finds joy in being with his family and friends.
Education
Robert F. Smith has a notable educational history. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University in 1985. Following that, he pursued an MBA at Columbia Business School. His academic path set the groundwork for his extraordinary career, marked by the establishment of Vista Equity Partners and substantial contributions to education and social causes.
Parents and Siblings
Robert Frederick is the son of Dr. William Robert Smith and Dr. Sylvia Myrna Smith, both educators. During his upbringing, Smith attended Carson Elementary School and Gove Jr. High School in Denver.
Wife and Marriage
Robert Frederick Smith, the successful billionaire investor, was formerly wedded to Suzanne McFayden. Their marital bond endured for 22 years, stretching from 1988 to 2010. Throughout their partnership, they welcomed three children: Zoe Suzanne Smith, Eliana Frederick Smith, and Maximos Robert Smith.
Career
Robert Frederick Smith, born on December 1, 1962, in a working-class neighborhood in Denver, Colorado, was raised by parents who prioritized community upliftment in areas with limited opportunities. His interest in technology blossomed during high school, prompting him to secure an internship at Bell Labs, which he balanced with his studies in chemical engineering at Cornell University. Smith’s engineering career included roles at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Air Products & Chemicals, and Kraft General Foods, where he developed patents for coffee filtration systems.
Following his MBA from Columbia Business School in 1994, Smith embarked on a career in technology investment banking, first at Goldman Sachs in New York City, then in Silicon Valley. At Goldman Sachs, he played a pivotal role in facilitating mergers and acquisitions for major technology firms like Hewlett-Packard, IBM, eBay, and Apple.
In 2000, Smith founded Vista Equity Partners, a global investment firm managing over $100 billion in assets. Vista specializes in investing in enterprise software, data, and technology-driven businesses across various investment strategies, including private equity, permanent capital, credit, and public equity.
Beyond his financial achievements, Smith is dedicated to championing diversity, inclusion, environmental conservation, and education. He channels his commitment to service through extensive philanthropic endeavors aimed at empowering underserved communities.
Robert F. Smith Net worth
As of June 4, 2024, Robert F. Smith’s estimated wealth stands at $9.22 billion. He is a billionaire investor and the creator of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity company specializing solely in software investments. Smith’s substantial financial achievements and charitable activities have made a substantial impression across multiple domains, establishing him as a notable figure in both business and philanthropy.
