Los Angeles billionaire investor Ronald Burkle is the buyer of the Bob and Dolores Hope estate that recently sold in Palm Springs for $13 million, according to real estate sources not authorized . blue line badge wallet; what hinders the baptism of the holy spirit He has earned his fortune from his company and various investments. Burkle said his father, then a vice president at Stater Bros., gathered ransom cash from various stores. Burkle said her husband owned a private 757 jet and a helicopter. The man feted as AFL-CIO humanitarian of the year and the Los Angeles County Boy Scouts Jimmy Stewart person of the year, and who is the namesake of the Burkle Center for International Relations at UCLA -- to mention but a few of his honors -- is known on Gawker's salacious Web site and on Page Six as the "greasy grocer," "babe-loving billionaire," "paunchy merchant prince" and, perhaps most hurtful of all, "evil rich guy.". The high court let stand a decision striking down a law passed by the Legislature and signed by Gov. Billionaire Ron Burkle's son Andrew was remembered as a "giant among men" in an emotional tribute posted this week by his heartbroken brother. There are also the billionaires Ron Burkle, the onetime supermarket buyout impresario (and great friend of Bill Clinton), and Edgar Bronfman Jr., the spirits scion who took the family's fortune . (Burkle had fired the caretaker for taking the boy to the apartment of her boyfriend, a convicted drug felon.). You'd never suspect he's a billionaire.". Burkles ties to politicians, pension funds and the trade unions at the companies he controls could be beneficial as he embarks on his next venture. [12], At age 21, he married Janet Steeper, a Stater Bros. clerk and great-grandniece of the aviation pioneers, the Wright brothers. Best coffee city in the world? The bid was backed by the union representing workers at many of those papers. Golden State, one of McDonald's biggest suppliers, operates 11 distribution centers in the United States and abroad and two U.S. processing plants. Burkle, in a divorce filing, said he was particularly concerned about security because of the 1973 kidnapping of the 15-year-old daughter of the owner of Stater Bros. supermarkets, where Burkle got his start in business. Burkle wont reveal the details, but it appears that Clinton gets a cut of any profits the company makes on two funds so long as their returns exceed 8% a year. "But he never acted like he was one of those billionaires you read about. Burkle views the 2,700-acre property in Los Olivos, near Santa Barbara, as a land banking opportunity, his spokesperson said on Thursday in an email. Published Dec. 26, 2020 Updated May 4, 2021. Burkle, who Forbes estimates is worth $1.5 billion, was a friend of Jackson who helped manage his money in the mid-2000s, according to the Journal. To some, it might seem odd that a major Democratic Party donor and longtime friend of Bill Clinton would want to buy such a lowbrow, conservative outlet. She said her father phoned his security director in front of her, and told her Janet Burkle was with her boyfriend at this very moment.. The Pinnacle List, www.thepinnaclelist.com/pics/supermarket-billionaire-ron-burkle-lavish-mediterranean-trophy-estate-la-jolla-california/. [4] The foundation's stated mission is to "positively influence people around the world and their communities" by supporting programs that "strengthen international understanding, foster worker's rights, empower underserved communities, nurture the arts and architecture, engage children in learning and advance scientific research. Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Cos is also in the mix as an existing partner of Paradigm in some of its U.K. and European music holdings. What did Disney actually lose from its Florida battle with DeSantis? The Greenacres estate -- once owned by silent-film star Harold Lloyd -- had a dining room that sat 20. [39] In March 2013, Burkle invested in a branded entertainment company, Three Lions Entertainment,[40] which focuses on branded entertainment events and cross platform marketing. [1] They had three children together. He got us in with the Teamsters, and thats important for deal flow going forward.. Thats a nice benefit, but the real reason we invest in these areas is to make money.. and began looking for investors. He also invested in what he knew best, grocery store stocks, helped by a sharp eye for undervalued real estate. A board member of the Getty Trust and other museums, he's a major collector of everything from old Masters to post-Impressionist works. Consequently, Ronald Burkle's ex-wife requested a divorce in September 2003. [94], Burkle hosts fundraising events for the non-profit Share Our Strength and its No Kid Hungry campaign, which focuses on helping end childhood hunger in the United States. I wouldnt trade these past few years for anything, he says. [22], Burkle played an active part in negotiations to construct the PPG Paints Arena for the Penguins. When Petrolane decided to sell Stater, Burkle, then 28, worked in secret to line up a leveraged buyout; Munger agreed to have Berkshire put up half of the equity. He still owns a majority stake today but wont specify it. Nice. He also ingratiated himself with unions that could be cantankerous and difficult to deal with, including the Teamsters and the United Food workers. He raised millions for the Democratic Party and befriendedand now employsBill Clinton as his irrepressible and irresistible rainmaker. Burkle has given millions of dollars to politicians and carefully cultivated close relationships with leaders up and down the state, including Sens. [79][80], Burkle's honors and awards include the Los Angeles County, California Boy Scouts Jimmy Stewart "Good Turn" Award,[81] the AIDS Project Los Angeles Commitment to Life Award,[82] and the Los Angeles Urban League Whitney M. Young Award. Linda Griego, a former Los Angeles deputy mayor, ran Rebuild LA, the organization that sought to rehabilitate the devastated inner city after the Rodney King riots in 1992. Current investor in P. Diddy's Sean John clothing line and part-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Linked companies : Membership Collective Group Inc. Ronald Wayne Burkle, 54, the California-born son of a grocery store manager, worked for his dad as a box boy, dropped out of college and put in 15 years at his dads store and the company that owned it. He said Carrie was reluctant to believe the two were involved. We know how to help solve those problems. Location Malibu Colony, Malibu, Calif. Price $13.5 million. Burkle figures he accompanies Clinton at least half the time Clinton travels abroad. [8] Following "months" of negotiations, the two were not able to agree on a final payment for Clinton's advisory services, estimated at up to $20 million, and Clinton "walked away" from the potential payout. At the time, his public image was of a supremely eligible, billionaire bachelor. Last year as he eyed buying control of troubled Pathmark, a publicly held but faltering supermarket chain in the Northeast, his ally Joseph Hansen at the grocery workers union arranged for Burkle to meet with Pathmark union reps. Curious, given what happened later, that Janets parents worried about protecting her small inheritance from her new husband. The Yucaipa Companies is a premier investment firm that has established a record of fostering economic value through the growth and responsible development of companies. They have insinuated, for instance, that Burkle, who is divorced, and Clinton were first introduced by a "lovely young lady;" that Burkle carefully avoided sitting next to some beautiful models at a Lionel Ritchie concert recently to conceal his womanizing; and that another mansion of his, in La Jolla (San Diego County), is a love nest. The records have Janet claiming that Burkle had ex-Secret Service agents tailing her and her ex-con beau; that she believes he feared she was trying to turn their youngest against Ron; that Burkle had vetoed her family vacation at the last minute. His security team, said one of Mr. Burkle's associates, includes a former Secret Service agent. [43], In 2018, Burkle's investment firm Yucaipa acquired a minority stake in the Spanish music festival Primavera Sound. But when President Clinton calls him for a meeting, [Cantalupo] gives me his home and cell numbers to make sure hes prepared, Burkle says. The claims have generally focused on his alleged womanizing and his supposed hypocrisy in claiming he hates publicity. Janet Burkle claimed she was defrauded when she signed a 1997 post-marital agreement limiting her divorce settlement to roughly $40 million. It has mentioned Burkle 22 times in five years, often unflatteringly. (Gore receives a portion of the profits and is believed to own a minority stake). "People are always trying to project things onto you when you make a lot of money. Burkle says he has no idea why he generates all the sniping, and he dismisses it as unimportant, even as his $500-an-hour lawyers churn out warning letters admonishing detractors and protesting his innocence. Arnold Schwarzenegger that would have shielded Burkles financial information from public view. Ronald Burkle. "[87], Burkle serves as co-chairman of The Ronald W. Burkle Center for International Relations at UCLA, to promote "research on and promotes discussion of international relations, U.S. foreign policy, and complex issues of global cooperation and conflict. You may cancel your subscription at anytime by calling People went around saying I was trying to be a do-gooder, he says. At age 21 Ron Burkle married an 18-year-old clerk he had met in the store: Janet Steeper, a great-grandniece of the Wright brothers, aviation pioneers. [75], In 2004, Burkle helped finance the launch of Al Gore's Current TV,[76] which was sold in January 2013 to Qatar-based cable news channel Al Jazeera. [1][9][10] To see his father, Burkle stocked shelves in his father's store with bread and corralled shopping carts. I was really bored and realized I like working and doing deals, he says. After enduring what he has said was a string of inaccurate items, published over the last year, Burkle said he had had enough. Lots of unresolved anger. At Greenacres alone, we had (at the same time) two Porsches, one Ferrari, two Mercedes, and two hybrid electric-gasoline-powered cars, Janet Burkle contended. Rather than seeing this as a lucky break in random mob behavior, he touts it as a testament to his companys benevolent image. Burkle has a Boeing 757 with its own bedroom suite. He is a friend of Bill Clinton and a heavy Democratic political donor, and he also contributed to Schwarzeneggers campaign fund for ballot measures in 2006. In 2008, Hathaway dumped Follieri. Burkle was co-owner of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the team was invited to a celebration at the White House following their Stnaley Cup victory. Carla Hall is an editorial board member who writes about homelessness, reproductive rights, popular culture, animal welfare, and human rights in Asia and Africa, among other topics. Presumably the effort to build value will not revolve around closing unionized factories or outsourcing work to India. Andrew Burkle . The application accused her husband of spying on her, their young son and her boyfriend. Burkle bought his stake before getting a new union contract, and the union lived up to its promise. T hough Burkle's business interests take him around the globe, that doesn't prevent him from keeping up with how the Penguins are faring. The lawsuit was filed by sports stadium construction company . And billionaires certainly attract famous friends. [11] At age 16, he graduated from high school and entered California State Polytechnic University, Pomona to study dentistry. When a Post gossip writer, Jared Paul Stern, said he could help improve the former supermarket tycoon's coverage, Burkle set up a meeting and secretly videotaped Stern -- with federal law enforcement officials reportedly monitoring the process -- apparently trying to extort $220,000 in return for favorable publicity. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. And they accumulated at least $25 million worth of art. Also in Epstein's address book are supermarket mogul Ron Burkle, Chelsea Clinton, former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and John Kerry, and media titan Rupert Murdoch, New York magazine noted. "[88][89] The Center has hosted UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter. He graduated at 16 without ever going back to class. Safeway He owns interests in two supermarket chains, Wild Oats, based in Colorado, and Pathmark, concentrated on the East Coast. Burkle characterized this as a shakedown attempt. But Burkles fascination with the hidden workings of celebrity didnt stop there. [109], In December 2020, Burkle, a former family friend of Michael Jackson, purchased Jackson's former Neverland Ranch property for $22 million as a "land banking opportunity. (Burkle points out that he also raises money for philanthropy$100 million in ten years for Ronald McDonald House, City of Hope, the antidrug group DARE and other charities.). Burkles camp counters that his agents did surveillance because he feared his young son might be kidnapped. Most recently, Burkle and his Yucaipa Cos. spearheaded a bid for the 12 Knight Ridder papers put up for sale by McClatchy Co. in March. After working for many years to bring an MLS team to Sacramento, the League continues to believe it can be a great MLS market. Philanthropy. He added, "It is also important in the newsrooms. "It is with the heaviest of hearts and . The body of Andrew Burkle, who helped run a Hollywood production company, was discovered by autho Billionaires generally have big houses. Her husband had hand-tailored suits and employed a valet, she said. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Still, he says, There is tremendous value in that content. Burkle put $3,000 into American Silver and another metals company because he enjoyed coin collecting; that grew to $30,000. [26], On January 22, 2019, Burkle was announced as the new lead investor of soon-to-be Major League Soccer franchise, the Sacramento Republic FC. Burkle donated $15 million toward the construction of downtown L.A.'s Walt Disney Concert Hall in 1997. In a recent and rare interview for the Wall Street Journal, Ron Burkle finally talks about his latest purchase: The Neverland Ranch. More scorn for Burkle: In the mid-1990s he had contributed money to the campaigns of Governor Gray Davis, San Franciscos former mayor Willie Brown (his former lawyer) and State Treasurer Philip Angelides, and later Brown and Angelides joined the Calpers board. He formed investment firm Yucaipa in 1986 and bagged big returns buying and selling supermarket chains . Billionaires often have private jets at their beck and call. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette) Ron Burkle, the tactician. He rose to store manager and later became a vice president at Staters parent, Petrolane. Ron Burkle, the tactician. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, "Yucaipa Returns to Market with $1.65 Billion Target", "Company Information: The Yucaipa Companies LLC", "Matt Damon, Ben Affleck to Co-Host Cory Booker Fundraiser", "Protecting Hillary: Bill Clinton Severs Business Ties With Billionaire Buddy Burkle", "Burkle Gets Bill Clinton's Ear, No Respect From Ovitz", "LA 500: Ron Burkle | Los Angeles Business Journal", "What Ron Burkle's success, star power mean for Sacramento's Major League Soccer bid", "Ron Burkle opens up on Penguins ownership, Mario Lemieux and the future", "Trump sticks to hockey in honoring Cup champion Penguins", "NHL Lockout 2012: Progress Will Be Made When Players and Owners Meet on Tuesday", "Pittsburgh Penguins' Ron Burkle seen as possible bridge builder in NHL talks", Archive: Pittsburgh Penguins' Ron Burkle seen as possible bridge builder in NHL talks, "Mets Fans Beware, Private Equity-Owned Teams Lose on the Field", "Sacramento Republic's MLS hopes get boost as Ron Burkle agrees to take over team", "Ron Burkle pulls out as MLS expansion team owner in Sacramento", "San Diego confirmed as 2022 NWSL expansion market; Ellis to serve as team president", "San Diego To Be Home to NWSL Expansion Team, Led by Jill Ellis as President", "Ashton Kutcher's Sound Ventures Looks to Raise New Fund | Los Angeles Business Journal", "SoundCloud Receives Investment from Ashton Kutcher's A-Grade", "How Ashton Kutcher built a Silicon Valley investing career", "Guy Oseary, Ashton Kutcher's Tech Fund A-Grade Valued at $150 Million", "How I Made It: Billionaire's right-hand man Chris Hollod on becoming a big fish in a big pond", "Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Buys Music Booking Power Artist Group International", "Mogul Ron Burkle partnering in new branded entertainment company", "Paradigm, Yucaipa Expand European Reach by Pacting With London-Based X-Ray Touring", "Billionaire Ron Burkle takes stake in Independent Talent", "Report: Ron Burkle's Yucaipa Companies Makes A 'Substantial' Investment In Danny Wimmer Presents", "Burkle sells 51% stake in Golden State Foods", "Soho House Raises $100 Million To Expand Its Members' Club Around The World", "MGM Getting Into Boutique Hotel Business With New Acquisition", "Burkle Ronald W ownership in COLD / Americold Realty Trust - 13F, 13D, 13G Filings - Fintel.io", "Barnes & Noble Battle Royale: Burkle vs. Riggio", "Fleming Reaches Agreement to Become Only Food Supplier for Kmart Stores", "A&P in talks to buy Pathmark for about $653 million", "Company News; Cyrk Merger Is Being Explored By Major Shareholder", "P. Diddy Bulking Up: L.A. Investor Injects Millions Into Sean John", "PRIMEDIA ENTHUSIAST TITLES SOLD FOR $1.2 BILLION", "Burkle's Yucaipa Funds Targets Barnes & Noble; Asks OK To Boost Stake To 37%, Matching Riggios", "Barnes & Noble Won't Let Burkle Raise Stakes", "Relativity back in business with debt backed by Ron Burkle", "Haute 100 Los Angeles Update: Ronald Burkle Offers Amalgamated Bank a Chance for Growth", "Clinton's back in Beverly Hills tonight", "McAuliffe headed to Aspen, L.A. for PAC fundraisers", "Elton John fetes crowd at Ron Burkle's estate in support of Prop. Sold Dominick's to Safeway for $1.2 billion. He has helped finance Al Gore's Current TV network. Founded in 1986 by Ron Burkle, the firm has completed mergers and acquisitions valued at more than $40 billion. The ex-President stands to do pretty well from the arrangement. He is the co-founder and managing partner of The Yucaipa Companies, LLC, a private investment firm that specializes in U.S. companies in the distribution, logistics, food, retail, consumer, hospitality, entertainment, sports, and light industrial sectors. Ronald Burkle entered in food sector when he was very young. Ronald Burkle, Andrew Burkle (R) and John Burkle (L). Yucaipas profit: $1.8 billion. He has been a corporate board member of the boards of Occidental Petroleum Corporation,[16] KB Home, and Yahoo! Then, in 1981, their son, John Burkle, arrived. [1][10][12] Less than two years later, Burkle dropped out. "He's probably the best employer we ever dealt with," said Ricardo Icaza, president of the Los Angeles local of the United Food and Commercial Workers union, who negotiated a number of labor contracts with Burkle when the billionaire owned supermarket chains like Ralphs and Food 4 Less. He worked stocking the shelves of his dads Stater Bros. store. A billionaire former associate of Michael Jackson has purchased the pop star's former home, Neverland Ranch.