Thomas Lee, billionaire who allegedly shot himself in his Manhattan office, dies
American billionaire financier Thomas Lee has died at the age of 78 after allegedly shooting himself in his Manhattan office.
Thomas Lee, the American billionaire, has died at the age of 78, his family said in a statement Thursday, without specifying the cause of his death, NBC News reported. The financier is considered a pioneer of private equity investment.
“The family is extremely saddened by Tom’s death,” said Lee’s family. “Our hearts are broken. We ask that our privacy be respected and that we be allowed to grieve“, they added.
Lee allegedly shot himself in his office in New York
Unidentified law enforcement sources told the New York Post that Thomas Lee was discovered dead Thursday morning at his Fifth Avenue office in Manhattan, the headquarters of his investment firm. Lee allegedly died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound; however, his family did not confirm the cause of his death.
According to the NY Post, Lee was found after police responded to a 911 emergency call around 11:10 am. The New York Police Department said EMS personnel who responded to the call found the 78-year-old businessman and pronounced him “dead at the scene.”
You may be interested in: How many people are missing in the United States? The states with the most disappearances
Authorities gave no further details, saying the city's medical examiner's office would determine the cause and manner of death. Lee is survived by his wife, Ann Tenenbaum, and five children, including two from a previous marriage.
Who was Thomas Lee?
Lee was the founder and chairman of Lee Equity, which he formed in 2006. He previously served as chairman and chief executive officer of Thomas H. Lee Partners, which he founded in 1974, according to a biographical statement released by his family, reported NBC News.
Over the past 46 years, Lee has been responsible for investing more than $15 billion of capital in hundreds of transactions, including the acquisition and subsequent sales of brands such as Snapple Beverages and Warner Music. According to Forbes, Lee’s net worth was $2 billion, making him the 1,507th richest person in the world.
He was also known as a philanthropist and trustee. He has served on the boards of many organizations, including the Lincoln Center, the Museum of Modern Art, Brandeis University, Harvard University, and the Museum of Jewish Heritage.