Bill Ackman is a billionaire hedge fund manager, activist investor, and philanthropist from the United States. He is the founder and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management, one of the most followed activist hedge funds in the world. Known for his bold bets, outspoken opinions, and high-profile campaigns, Ackman has influenced both Wall Street and public debates. His wins include investments like Chipotle and General Growth Properties, while his losses—like the Herbalife short—show his willingness to take risks. Beyond finance, he is active in philanthropy and public discussions on politics, education, and social issues.
Bill Ackman Wiki/Bio
| Full Name | William Albert Ackman |
| Date of Birth | May 11, 1966 |
| Age | 59 years (as of 2025) |
| Profession | Hedge Fund Manager, Activist Investor, Philanthropist |
| Hometown | Chappaqua, New York, USA |
| Current Residence | New York City, New York, USA |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Nationality | American |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Social Media | X/Twitter: @BillAckman |
Bill Ackman Early Life
Bill Ackman was born and raised in Chappaqua, New York, in a Jewish family. His father, Lawrence D. Ackman, was a successful real estate executive, while his mother, Ronnie I. Ackman (née Posner), was a homemaker. Growing up as the younger of two children, he showed early interest in academics and sports, particularly rowing.
During his teenage years at Horace Greeley High School, he became known for being ambitious and determined. A turning point came in college when he discovered Benjamin Graham’s book The Intelligent Investor, which sparked his lifelong passion for value investing.
Bill Ackman Education
Ackman attended Harvard College, graduating magna cum laude in 1988 with a degree in social studies. His senior thesis compared Jewish quotas in the 1920s with Asian American admissions in the 1980s, showing his early interest in fairness and policy.
He later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1992, equipping him with the business knowledge that helped him launch his career on Wall Street.
Bill Ackman Family Details
Bill Ackman married Karen Ann Herskovitz, a landscape designer, in 1994. They were together for 25 years and had three children (two daughters and one son). The couple divorced in 2018 but remained on good terms.
In 2019, Bill began dating Neri Oxman, an Israeli-American designer and MIT professor. They married in January 2022 in Tel Aviv. The couple has one daughter together. Despite some public controversies around plagiarism claims in Oxman’s work, the family has kept a mostly private life, with Ackman protecting his children from media attention.
Bill Ackman Career Highlights
Bill Ackman first worked at his father’s real estate firm before co-founding Gotham Partners in 1993 with Harvard classmate David Berkowitz. After Gotham shut down in 2003, Ackman founded Pershing Square Capital Management in 2004, which grew into a $20 billion hedge fund by 2025.
Ackman became known for high-profile activist campaigns—such as his fight with Herbalife, where he lost $1 billion, and his massive success rescuing General Growth Properties during its bankruptcy. His fund’s investment in Chipotle also turned into a long-term win.
He is also a philanthropist through the Pershing Square Foundation, which has donated over $1 billion to education, health, and Jewish causes.
Career Milestones
| Milestone | Details |
| Gotham Partners | Co-founded investment firm (1993–2003) |
| Pershing Square Launch | Founded activist hedge fund (2004) |
| General Growth Rescue | Major turnaround win during bankruptcy (2009) |
| Herbalife Short | High-profile short position, lost $1B (2012–2018) |
| Pershing Square Public | Took hedge fund stake public (2025) |
| Hall of Fame Open | Competed in professional doubles tennis at 59 (2025) |
Bill Ackman Net Worth and Income
| Category | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | $9.4 billion (as of 2025) |
| Estimated Annual Income | $1–2 billion from fund returns and fees |
| Income Sources | Pershing Square stake (45%), Chipotle, investments, philanthropy commitments |
Bill Ackman’s net worth surged with Pershing Square’s success, delivering more than 2,000% returns by 2023. He is a member of The Giving Pledge, promising to donate much of his wealth.
Bill Ackman Controversies
Ackman has been a polarizing figure in finance and politics. His Herbalife short became one of Wall Street’s most public battles, ending in a $1B loss. In 2023, he played a major role in ousting Harvard President Claudine Gay, criticizing her handling of antisemitism issues and plagiarism accusations.
His wife, Neri Oxman, also faced plagiarism allegations, which he himself disclosed, sparking media attention. Politically, he has shifted between Democrats, Trump support, and independent positions, often voicing strong opinions online. Critics call him aggressive, while supporters see him as fearless and principled.
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