Neil Bluhm's Net Worth

Neil Bluhm is an influential American real estate and casino magnate, boasting an impressive net worth of $2.8 billion. He is the proud owner and operator of Rivers Casino in Pennsylvania and Chicago, as well as Casino Niagara in New York.

Early Life and Education

Born into a Jewish family in 1938, Neil Bluhm pursued higher education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later earned a law degree from Northwestern University.

Professional Journey

Bluhm's career began in the legal field at Mayer, Brown & Platt in Chicago, where he eventually became a partner. By 1970, he had co-founded JMB Realty with his college roommate, which became highly profitable until the real estate market downturn in the early 1990s.

JMB Realty and Walton Street Capital

Despite the market crash, Neil continued to thrive by founding Walton Street Capital in 1994, a private equity firm focused on real estate. Notably, he still retains ownership of JMB Realty, which focuses on managing and developing commercial properties.

Philanthropy and Influence

Bluhm has been a significant figure in political fundraising, famously hosting one of President Obama's birthday parties, with a per-plate cost of $30,000, benefiting the Democratic National Committee. He has also supported various Democratic candidates, including Hillary Clinton, Dick Durbin, Rahm Emanuel, Melissa Bean, and Lou Lang.

Passion for Art

Neil Bluhm is also an avid art collector, with an art collection valued at over $100 million. He holds prestigious positions on the boards of the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Art Institute of Chicago, reflecting his commitment to the arts and culture.