#77 Henry Kravis $3,800 million scammr rich

#77 Henry Kravis
$3,800 million

Leveraged buyout pioneer's firm finally going public. After a series of postponements, KKR expects to merge with Amsterdam-listed affiliate this fall. Estimated value of combined company: $6 billion. Firm manages $51 billion across buyout, credit funds. With fellow Bear Stearns colleagues George Roberts and Jerome Kohlberg, formed leveraged buyout firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts 1976. Used junk bonds to buy underperforming companies; refined operations, flipped for profit. Kohlberg left 1987. Remaining duo immortalized 3 years later in bestselling book Barbarians at the Gate after $25 billion RJR Nabisco buyout. Extended streak of megadeals with TXU buyout 2007: partnered with David Bonderman and James Coulter's TPG and Goldman Sachs to acquire power giant for $45 billion in cash and assumed debt. Completed 13 transactions 2008, down from 15 in 2007. KKR-owned discount retailer Dollar General filed to go public in August.