Fortunes and Philanthropy: The Life and Legacy of Leon Cooperman
The Life and Legacy of Leon Cooperman
A Modern Valuation
As of 2025, Forbes estimates Leon G. Cooperman’s net worth at about $3.6
billion. Other sources (e.g. CelebrityNetWorth) list it nearer $2.8
billion. Omega Advisors oversees over $3.3 billion in assets, most
of which derive from his own capital.
Early Life & Education
Leon G. Cooperman was born on April 25, 1943, in the South Bronx, New York
City, to a Jewish family originally from Poland. He became the first in his
family to earn a college degree. He attended Hunter College, where he
was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. Afterward, he earned an MBA
from Columbia Business School in 1967.
From Xerox to Goldman Sachs
After finishing his MBA, Cooperman started his professional career as a quality
control engineer at Xerox in 1965—a role that helped him develop early
discipline and analytical skills. He then joined Goldman Sachs, where he
spent more than two decades rising through the ranks to lead key investment
research divisions. At Goldman, he became partner-in-charge, co-chairman of the
Investment Policy Committee, and chairman of the Stock Selection Committee. 1989,
Cooperman became chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, and also
served as chief investment officer of the equity side. He left Goldman in 1991.
Omega Advisors & Shift to Family Office
After departing Goldman, Cooperman launched Omega Advisors, Inc. in
1991, initially as an investment partnership. Over time, Omega became a major
presence in hedge-fund circles. In 2018, Cooperman transitioned Omega into a family
office, focusing chiefly on managing his personal wealth and philanthropic
activities.
Fortunes and Philanthropy: The Life and Legacy of Leon Cooperman#American billionaire investor and hedge fund manager#age#net worth#investor#startup
SEC Charges & Settlement
In September 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
charged Cooperman and Omega with insider trading. The allegation was that, in
2010, Cooperman traded shares, bonds, and call options of Atlas Pipeline
Partners on nonpublic information from an Atlas executive.
In May 2017, Cooperman and Omega settled with the SEC for
about $4.9 million, without admitting wrongdoing. As part of the
settlement, Omega retained an independent compliance consultant (with access to
communications and trades) and Cooperman/Omega had to make monthly
certifications until 2022.
Recent Moves & Portfolio Highlights
In 2025, one of Cooperman’s largest holdings (by reported filings) is Mr.
Cooper Group (COOP), which he supported in its $9.4 billion acquisition by
Rocket Companies. Other top positions include Energy Transfer (ET), Vertiv
(VRT), Apollo Global Management (APO), and WillScot Mobile Mini (WSC).
In the first quarter of 2024, Cooperman’s fund exited U.S.
Treasuries and added stakes in SEA Ltd (Singapore tech) and KBR
(U.S. contracting firm).
Cooperman is known for a cautious market outlook and has
remarked: “I am looking for news to get worse”—a contrarian posture that
suggests he believes markets often bottom on bad news.
Also, his philanthropic foundation (Leon & Toby
Cooperman Family Foundation) filed a 2023 Form 990 declaring $51.67 million
in revenue and net assets of $415 million.
Personal Life & Philanthropy
Cooperman is married to Toby, and they have two sons, Wayne and Michael. He
divides his time between residences in New Jersey (Short Hills) and Boca Raton,
Florida.
He has made numerous philanthropic contributions:
- Donated
$25 million to Columbia Business School (2011)
- Contributed
$25 million to Saint Barnabas Medical Center (2014), and later $100
million in 2021, prompting its renaming to Cooperman Barnabas Medical
Center.
- Established
the Cooperman College Scholars Fund (2015), assisting
high-achieving students financially.
- He
and Toby signed The Giving Pledge, committing to give away most of
their wealth.
- His
foundation supports grants across education, health, and community causes.
In recent years, Cooperman publicly criticized Columbia
University (his alma mater), stating he would suspend further donations
following pro-Palestinian protests around the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Legacy & Outlook
Leon Cooperman has built a reputation as a veteran value investor, deeply
disciplined and vocal about markets, policy, and philanthropy. His transition
of Omega into a family office reflects his shift toward legacy and giving. He
remains an influential voice in finance and public discourse—his portfolio
moves, public commentary, and philanthropic decisions continue to carry weight
in markets and beyond.
