Raymond G. Perelman
Raymond G. Perelman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 August 1917 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 14 January 2019 (aged 101) |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist |
| Known for | Chairman and CEO of RGP Holdings; philanthropic contributions to the University of Pennsylvania |
Raymond G. Perelman (August 22, 1917 – January 14, 2019) was a prominent American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist who established and led RGP Holdings as its chairman and CEO. He was the father of Ronald Perelman and Jeffrey E. Perelman, recognized for his charitable contributions and his deep connections to Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania.
Early life
Perelman was raised in the Olney and Feltonville districts of Philadelphia.
Education
He pursued studies in business and finance at the Wharton School, completing his degree in 1940 before embarking on a professional path in investment and philanthropy.
Career
For five decades, Perelman was involved with his family’s American Paper Products Company. In 1960, he purchased Belmont Iron Works, which at that time was the largest steel fabricator serving the construction sector in the Northeastern United States.
Via RGP Holdings, he maintained major holdings across industries such as finance, manufacturing, and mining. Beginning in 1994, he served as chairman of Belmont Holdings Corporation and oversaw enterprises including Champion Parts and Grefco Minerals.
Together with his wife Ruth, Raymond Perelman's philanthropic efforts amounted to several hundred million dollars, with the University of Pennsylvania receiving the majority of their generosity. In 2011 alone, their contributions surpassed $227 million, nearly all of which—$225 million—was given to the university.
Personal
Raymond Perelman had legal conflicts involving his son, Jeffrey Perelman. He was of Jewish heritage and died on January 14, 2019, at the age of 101.