Who is BET Founder Robert Johnson? Robert L. Johnson Biography-Wiki
Robert L. Johnson is an American entrepreneur, media magnate, executive, philanthropist as well as an investor. Johnson was born on born 8th April 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi as Robert Louis Johnson. Robert Louis Johnson is best known as the co-founder of BET, which was acquired by Viacom in 2001.
Also, he founded RLJ Companies, a holding company that invests in various business sectors. He is the retired majority owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. Johnson is the first black American billionaire. Johnson’s companies have counted among the most prominent African-American businesses in the late twentieth as well as early twenty-first centuries.
Robert L. Johnson Age and Birthday
Robert Louis Johnson was born on 8th April 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi, United States. Johnson celebrates his birthday on April 8 every year. Robert L. Johnson is 74 years old as of 2020.
Robert L. Johnson Height and Weight
Johnson appears to be quite tall in stature if his photos, relative to his surroundings, are anything to go by. However, details regarding his actual height and other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We are keeping tabs and will update this information once it is out.
Robert L. Johnson Education
Johnson was an honor student in high school. Johnson is a 1968 graduate of the University of Illinois with a bachelor’s degree in social studies. He became a member of the Beta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity While at the University of Illinois. In 1972, he received a master’s degree in public affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.
Robert L. Johnson Parent-Family
Johnson was born as the ninth out of ten children to Edna Johnson and Archie Johnson in 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father was a farmer. His parents migrated the family to Freeport, Illinois when he was a child.
Robert L Johnson Wife and Kids-Paige Johnson
Johnson is married to Lauren Wooden. He started dating Lauren Wooden in 2010. Wooden was pursuing an international business-management doctorate in Paris as of 2016. The couple married in May 2016, their wedding was officiated by Greg Mathis. Gregory Ellis Mathis is a retired Michigan 36th District Court judge turned arbiter of the Daytime Emmy Award-winning, syndicated reality courtroom show, Judge Mathis.
Produced in Chicago, Illinois, his program has been on the air since 13th September 1999 as well entered its milestone 20th season beginning on 3rd September 2018.
Johnson was previously married to Sheila Johnson in 1969. They separated in 2001 and together they have two children known as Paige Johnson and Brett Johnson. Robert and Sheila Johnson were married from 1969-2002. When they divorced, Robert paid Sheila $400 million. That’s enough to be one of the 10 most expensive divorce settlements of all time.
Robert L. Johnson Net Worth
Robert L. Johnson has an estimated net worth of $550 million. He has accumulated his wealth from his successful career as an entrepreneur, media magnate, executive, philanthropist, and investor.
Robert L. Johnson Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Robert L. Johnson.
- Full Name: Robert Louis Johnson
- Age: 74 years old as of 2020.
- Date of Birth: 8th April 1946
- Place of Birth: Hickory, Mississippi, United States
- Education: Princeton University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and Freeport High School
- Birthday: April 8
- Nationality: American
- Father’s Name: Edna Johnson
- Mother’s Name: Archie Johnson
- Siblings: Nine Siblings
- Spouse: Lauren Wooden
- Children: Paige Johnson and Brett Johnson
- Height: To be updated
- Weight: To be updated
- Profession: Businessperson, Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist, and Media proprietor
- Known For: Being the first black American billionaire
- Net worth: $550 million
- Salary: To be updated
Robert L Johnson Career
Johnson was introduced to the TV industry at the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Johnson served as the director of communications for the National Urban League as well later served for the National Cable and Television Association. In 1980. BET became the first TV network aimed towards African-Americans. BET became the first black-controlled company that was listed on the NYSE.
In 1991, he launched Black Entertainment Television (BET). BET was acquired by Viacom in 2000 for $3 billion. In 2006, he moved on from the company. He then found the RLJ Companies which is a holding company with a very diverse portfolio.
Johnson bought the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the first African-American majority owner of a major American sports team in 2002. He sold his majority stake in 2010 to Michael Jordan. Johnson served with Morgan Freeman in 2011 to assist prepare for hurricanes in the Bahamas.
Robert L Johnson House
Johnson is also the owner of the Charlotte Bobcats which is a National Basketball Association franchise. He a house located in Washington, Washington, DC (DC), US. Johnson remains in his six-bedroom, 6,000-square-foot mansion. He bought the entire property in 2010 for $4 million.
Robert L. Johnson Bet
In 1979, he left NCTA to create Black Entertainment Television which is the first cable television network aimed at African-Americans. In 1980, when the network launched it only aired for 2 hours on Friday night. BET first turned a profit in 1985 as well as became the first black-controlled company listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 1991.
Johnson and Liberty Media bought all outstanding shares of the company in 1998. This purchase gave Johnson 42% of the company. Viacom acquired BET in 2000 for a reported $3 billion dollars. Johnson remained BET CEO until 2006.
Johnson founded The RLJ Companies, a holding company with a diverse portfolio including hotel real estate investment, private equity, financial services, asset management, automobile dealerships, sports, and entertainment, as well as a Video lottery terminal gaming. The RLJ Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland.
Robert L. Johnson Statement
BET founder Robert Johnson, America’s first black billionaire, calls for $14 trillion in reparations to ‘bring the descendants of slaves into equality with this nation’
“Wealth transfer is exactly what’s needed,” Johnson told CNBC. “Think about this. For 200-plus-years or so of slavery, labor taken with no compensation is a wealth transfer. Denial of access to education which is a primary driver of accumulation of income and wealth is a wealth transfer.”
The United States has debated providing compensation for slaves and their descendants since the Civil War, and it became a key issue during the Democratic presidential primaries in late 2019, Business Insider reported. However, a March 2019 INSIDER poll found that approximately 25% of Americans would favor giving “financial compensation and government assistance” to the descendants of slaves.
Johnson’s most recent call for reparations comes as the United States faces a national reckoning over systemic racism brought on by the recent murders of three African Americans Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd. At the same time, black Americans are dying at disproportionately high rates of the novel coronavirus.
Johnson, 74, became the first African American to appear on Forbes’ Billionaires List in 2001, CNBC reported. Nearly two decades later, only six of the 600-plus Americans on that list are black: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, David Steward, and Robert F. Smith. Johnson dropped off the Billionaires List in 2009 as the stock price of BET’s new owner, Viacom, fell.
“If we take that big leap, I am convinced that the problems that we confront today can be solved. But it takes a big, bold action, and $14 trillion in reparations for damages visited upon the heirs of slaves is an appropriate statement,”
Frequently Asked Questions About Robert L. Johnson
Who is Robert L. Johnson?
Robert L. Johnson is an American entrepreneur, media magnate, executive, philanthropist as well as an investor. Johnson was born on born 8th April 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi as Robert Louis Johnson.
How old is Robert L. Johnson?
Robert Louis Johnson was born on 8th April 1946 in Hickory, Mississippi, United States. Robert L. Johnson is 74 years old as of 2020.
How tall is Robert L. Johnson?
Johnson has not shared his height with the public. His height will be listed once we have it from a credible source.
Is Robert L. Johnson married?
Yes, he is married to Lauren Wooden. He started dating Lauren Wooden in 2010. Wooden was pursuing an international business-management doctorate in Paris as of 2016. The couple married in May 2016, their wedding was officiated by Greg Mathis.
Johnson was previously married to Sheila Johnson in 1969. They separated in 2001 and together they have two children known as Paige Johnson and Brett Johnson. Robert and Sheila Johnson were married from 1969-2002.
How much is Robert L. Johnson worth?
Johnson has an approximate net worth of $550 million dollars as of 2020. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the business industry.
Who Was The 1st Black Billionaire?
In 2001, BET (Black Entertainment Network) owner Robert L. Johnson became the first Black billionaire in American dollars, with a net-worth of $1.6 billion.
Where does Robert L. Johnson live?
He is a resident of Washington, D.C., USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.
Is Robert L. Johnson dead or alive?
Johnson is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Where is Robert L. Johnson Now?
Businessperson, Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist, and Media proprietor: Johnson is pursuing his career in business.
Robert L. Johnson Twitter
Robert L. Johnson Instragram
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