Theodore J. Forstmann

Ted Forstmann "is the senior founding partner of the pre-eminent leveraged buyout firm, Forstmann Little & Co.  In the past two decades, under Forstmann's leadership, Forstmann Little has compiled an unparalleled record of investment performance.  The firm is widely recognized as a premier acquirer and owner of businesses.

"Though Forstmann is recognized as an investor, he also has long been committed to numerous philanthropic causes, particularly those helping children. For example, in 1998, he co-founded the Children's Scholarship Fund (CSF), the country's largest charity helping parents send their children to the school of their choice.

"Forstmann continues working to improve the lives of children both here in the United States as well as overseas. As a director of the International Rescue Committee, he established a medical program for war-injured children. As the only non-African trustee of the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, Forstmann has worked to relive the plight of South African street children by helping to provide education, shelter and medical care.  Here in the United States, Forstmann co-founded two camps for chronically ill children; the Benedict-Forstmann Silver Lining Ranch and the Boggy Creek Gang Camp. In addition, Forstmann serves on the Board of Directors of: Freedom House; Empower America; the CATO Institute, and the Preventative Medicine Research Institute.

"Forstmann graduated from Yale University and received his law degree from Columbia University. Forstmann resides in New York and Los Angeles and is the sole guardian of two South African orphans, Everest and Siya, with whom he lives." 

Ted Forstmann founded the buyout firm Forstmann Little in 1978 with his late brother Nicholas. As a major player in the 80's financial markets, he was involved in the Michael Milken junk bond scandals, through his connections with Ivan Boesky. He features heavily in James Stewart's 1991 book, Den of Theives.

http://www.namebase.org/main4/Theodore-J-Forstmann.html


 * Board of Overseers, International Rescue Committee
 * Donor, Free Africa Foundation
 * Advisory Board, Cool Earth