Nancy and Rich Kinder ranked No. 315 on the Forbes' 38th annual World Billionaires List. With an estimated wealth of $8.1 billion, the couple have become synonymous with transformational arts, education, green space and quality-of-life initiatives in Houston.
Who are Nancy and Rich Kinder? What to know about Houston's parks and arts loving billionaire couple
Rich Kinder got his start in the energy industry working as a lawyer for the Florida Gas Commission, which later became Enron, following a series of mergers; for six years he served as Enron president and chief executive officer. Kinder and Enron founder Kenneth Lay initially met in college at the University of Missouri.
In December 1996, Kinder resigned to found Kinder Morgan with another college friend, Bill Morgan; it's now the largest pipeline company in the U.S. He married Nancy McNeil, Lay's former executive assistant, the following year.
The newlyweds established the Kinder Foundation in 1997 after pledging to give away 95% of their wealth. The foundation has reportedly granted more than $700 million as of Dec. 31, 2023. More than $55.5 million was awarded to nonprofits in 2023, including $27 million to the Houston Parks Board; $3.5 million to SPARK, which helps public schools playgrounds into community parks; $2 million to Discovery Green Conservancy; $1 million to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston; $1 million to YES Prep Public Schools and KIPP Texas Public Schools, respectively; and $500,000 to Cristo Rey Jesuit.
Who are Nancy and Rich Kinder? What to know about Houston's parks and arts loving billionaire couple
Rich Kinder got his start in the energy industry working as a lawyer for the Florida Gas Commission, which later became Enron, following a series of mergers; for six years he served as Enron president and chief executive officer. Kinder and Enron founder Kenneth Lay initially met in college at the University of Missouri.
In December 1996, Kinder resigned to found Kinder Morgan with another college friend, Bill Morgan; it's now the largest pipeline company in the U.S. He married Nancy McNeil, Lay's former executive assistant, the following year.
The newlyweds established the Kinder Foundation in 1997 after pledging to give away 95% of their wealth. The foundation has reportedly granted more than $700 million as of Dec. 31, 2023. More than $55.5 million was awarded to nonprofits in 2023, including $27 million to the Houston Parks Board; $3.5 million to SPARK, which helps public schools playgrounds into community parks; $2 million to Discovery Green Conservancy; $1 million to the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston; $1 million to YES Prep Public Schools and KIPP Texas Public Schools, respectively; and $500,000 to Cristo Rey Jesuit.
