# Leon Black

> Leon David Black is an American investor who co-founded Apollo Global Management in 1990 and served as chairman and CEO until his departure in March 2021. His career spans Drexel Burnham Lambert, private equity and credit investing, alongside art collecting, publishing and cultural philanthropy. His financial relationship with Jeffrey Epstein prompted his Apollo exit and remains the subject of congressional scrutiny, including a September 2026 contempt resolution.

- **Role:** President, Leon D. Black Foundation; co-founder and former chairman and CEO, Apollo Global Management
- **Organizations:** Apollo Global Management (co-founder; former chairman and CEO), Drexel Burnham Lambert (former managing director), Leon D. Black Foundation, Jewish Lives, Phaidon Press (acquired in 2012), Museum of Modern Art (former chairman, 2018-2021), Dartmouth College (former trustee, 2002-2011)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** AB in philosophy and history, summa cum laude, Dartmouth College, MBA, Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Co-founded Apollo in 1990 and led it for approximately three decades., Helped build an investment business spanning private equity and credit., Graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth in 1973.

## Career timeline

- **1977-1990** — Worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert; became head of mergers and acquisitions and co-head of corporate finance.
- **1990** — Co-founded Apollo after Drexel filed for bankruptcy.
- **2002-2011** — Served as a Dartmouth College trustee.
- **2010** — Leon D. Black Foundation and Yale University Press began the Jewish Lives partnership.
- **2011** — Apollo went public.
- **2012** — Purchased the 1895 pastel version of The Scream for $119.9 million; acquired Phaidon Press; Dartmouth announced a $48 million visual arts center gift from Leon and Debra Black.
- **2018-2021** — Chaired the Museum of Modern Art board.
- **2021-03** — Left Apollo as CEO and chairman following scrutiny of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Apollo in 1990 and led it for approximately three decades.
- Helped build an investment business spanning private equity and credit.
- Graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth in 1973.
- With Debra Black, committed $48 million to Dartmouth’s visual arts center in 2012.
- Established the Jewish Lives biography project with the Leon D. Black Foundation and Yale University Press.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — On September 16, the House adopted a contempt resolution over Black’s refusal to comply with two Oversight Committee subpoenas. The resolution is a congressional action, not a criminal conviction.
- **2026-09** — Black did not attend a September 3 deposition and sued to block the subpoenas, arguing that they exceeded the committee’s authority.
- **2026-06** — Appeared for a voluntary congressional interview; lawmakers issued subpoenas after disputes over questions about nondisclosure agreements.
- **2026-03** — Senator Ron Wyden sought further information about Black’s Epstein dealings and tax arrangements; the senator’s assertions are investigative allegations.

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/leon-black
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-22