Michael S. Smith

$1B

as of 07/05/24

About Michael S. Smith

Michael S. Smith built Freeport LNG, a $15 billion complex on the Texas coast that chills and exports liquefied natural gas.

He made his first fortune with oil and gas company Basin Exploration, which he sold in 2001 for $428 million.

Enjoys homes in Miami Beach, Malibu and the Hamptons.

Freeport LNG was originally envisioned as an LNG import terminal; when the shale gas boom arrived, Smith turned his strategy 180 degrees.

Personal stats

Citizenship

United States of America

Source of wealth

Liquefied natural gas

Residence

Miami Beach, Florida

Marital status

Married

Birth date

05/09/55 (age 69)

Number of children

Education

Drop Out, University of Colorado

Self-made

self-made

Michael S. Smith’s fortune is worth

17K

troy ounces of gold

15K

median U.S. household

10K

median U.S. income

0.02%

U.S. credit card volume

0.004%

GDP of the United States

0.003%

United States debt

Net worth history

Annual ranking

Did you know?

He majored in chemistry at Colorado State University but dropped out just 6 credits shy of a degree to focus on skiing. Later donated $13 million.