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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteForbes estimated Michael Heisley’s net worth at $1.9 billion as of March 1, 2012, its last listed estimate located here. Forbes said he fell off its billionaires list in 2013. The figure is a historical estimate—not a verified valuation of his estate when he died in 2014 or a current estimate.
What was Michael Heisley’s net worth?
The most recent dated estimate identified is Forbes’ $1.9 billion estimate as of March 1, 2012. It should be read as Forbes’ estimate for that date, not as an audited accounting of Heisley’s assets or a confirmed total at his death.
Other publications reported different figures in earlier years. These estimates have different publishers and dates, and the available sources do not establish a common method or reference point that would make them a verified wealth trajectory.
| Publisher and date | Figure | What it represents |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Times, February 27, 2001 | $1.7 billion | A contemporary reported estimate. Los Angeles Times |
| Forbes, September 21, 2006 | $1.0 billion | Forbes 400 estimate for that year. Forbes |
| Forbes, March 1, 2012 | $1.9 billion | Forbes’ dated estimate; the clearest headline figure located. Forbes |
How did Michael Heisley make his money?
Forbes described Heisley’s wealth as self-made and rooted in manufacturing. Its profile says he began in 1979 by acquiring Conco, using $150,000 from the sale of a home and $10 million in loans. Through Heico, he acquired struggling manufacturers, including companies that were underperforming or bankrupt.
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A 2001 Los Angeles Times account described financial interests in about 40 firms at that time. That is period-specific reporting, not a current count of Heico companies or a direct measure of Heisley’s personal wealth.
Was the Grizzlies sale worth $377 million?
The $377 million figure refers to the estimated value of the 2012 sale of the Memphis Grizzlies, not to Heisley’s net worth. Heisley had owned the Vancouver Grizzlies and moved the team to Memphis; he later sold it to a group led by Robert Pera. The Washington Post reported the transaction at an estimated $377 million. A team’s reported sale value does not establish how much its former owner personally received or what his net worth was.
What was Michael Heisley’s net worth when he died?
Heisley died on April 26, 2014, at age 77, according to the Washington Post obituary. The sources cited here do not establish an audited personal balance sheet, probate valuation, or final estate total. Forbes’ 2012 estimate therefore cannot be presented as a confirmed figure for his wealth at death.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What is known about his philanthropy?
The National Center for Family Philanthropy reports that Heisley incorporated a family foundation in December 1996 and initially left its purpose and governance to his wife and children. His giving included support for Georgetown, Catholic institutions, and a Catholic hospital group; the foundation’s work emphasized education and developing future leaders. These charitable activities do not quantify his personal net worth.
In the center’s account of the foundation’s origins, Heisley described his approach as “Philanthropy, not charity.” He favored efforts intended to address problems and produce long-term improvements, including medical research.
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