Early Life and Education of Bill Ackman: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Bill Ackman, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Bill Ackman is an American billionaire hedge fund manager, the founder, and CEO of Pershing Square Capital Management. Known as an activist investor, Ackman's strategies often involve taking significant stakes in companies and then publicly advocating for changes in their management or business strategies. As of July 2025, his estimated net worth is $9.4 billion, highlighting his success and influence in the financial world.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1926: Grandfather's Song

In 1926, Bill Ackman's grandfather, Herman Ackman, wrote a hit song on Tin Pan Alley, the recordings of which were owned by Universal.

May 11, 1966: Birth of William Ackman

On May 11, 1966, William Albert Ackman was born. He is an American billionaire hedge fund manager and the founder and chief executive of Pershing Square Capital Management.

Others born on this day/year

1985: Graduation from High School

In 1985, Bill Ackman graduated from Horace Greeley High School.

1988: Graduation from Harvard College

In 1988, Bill Ackman received a Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude in social studies from Harvard College. His thesis was titled "Scaling the Ivy Wall: The Jewish and Asian American Experience in Harvard Admissions".

1992: Founding of Gotham Partners

In 1992, Bill Ackman co-founded the investment firm Gotham Partners with David P. Berkowitz. The firm focused on small investments in public companies.

1992: Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School

In 1992, Bill Ackman received a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School.

July 10, 1994: Marriage to Karen Ann Herskovitz

On July 10, 1994, Bill Ackman married Karen Ann Herskovitz, a landscape architect.

2006: Pershing Square Foundation Founded

In 2006, Bill Ackman and his then wife Karen founded the Pershing Square Foundation to fund innovative organizations focused on various areas such as economic development, education, and human rights.

December 22, 2016: Separation from Karen Ann Herskovitz Reported

On December 22, 2016, it was reported that Bill Ackman and Karen Ann Herskovitz had separated.

2016: Endorsement and Vote in 2016 Presidential Election

In 2016, Bill Ackman endorsed Michael Bloomberg as a prospective candidate for President of the United States and voted for Donald Trump in the election.

2017: Ownership of Gulfstream G550

As of 2017, Bill Ackman owned a Gulfstream G550 business jet.

2018: Engagement to Neri Oxman

In 2018, Bill Ackman became engaged to Israeli-American designer Neri Oxman.

January 2019: Marriage to Neri Oxman

In January 2019, Bill Ackman and Neri Oxman married at the Central Synagogue in Manhattan.

August 2019: Discouraging Ito from Mentioning Oxman

In August 2019, Bill Ackman wrote to MIT Media Lab director Joi Ito to discourage him from mentioning Neri Oxman when discussing Jeffrey Epstein.

March 18, 2020: Ackman Calls for Economic Shutdown

On March 18, 2020, Bill Ackman called upon President Donald Trump for a "30-day shutdown" of the American economy to slow the spread of coronavirus and minimize loss of life and ensuing economic destruction. He also cautioned U.S. companies to stop stock buyback programs because "hell is coming".

November 2020: Ackman's COVID-19 Concerns

In a November 2020 interview, Bill Ackman said that he had grown concerned about COVID-19 because he had seen the film Contagion.

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March 1, 2022: Remarks on Sabatini's Treatment

On March 1, 2022, at a Pershing Square Foundation event, Bill Ackman delivered remarks about what he called David M. Sabatini's unfair treatment.

December 2022: Auctioned Lunch for Charity

In December 2022, Bill Ackman auctioned a lunch with himself for charity in partnership with the David Lynch Foundation, with proceeds going toward helping New York's frontline healthcare workers, police and veterans.

February 2023: Funding for Sabatini's Research Laboratory

In February 2023, Bill Ackman announced that his foundation and an anonymous donor would together fund David M. Sabatini US$25 million over five years to establish and run a new research laboratory.

October 8, 2023: Demand for Publication of Student Names

On October 8, 2023, in response to a letter from Harvard student groups condemning Israeli actions, Bill Ackman demanded the publication of the names of all students involved so that he could ensure his company and others do not "inadvertently hire" any of the signatories.

November 2023: Support for Elon Musk and Campaign against Claudine Gay

In November 2023, Bill Ackman supported Elon Musk after he expressed support for antisemitic remarks. Ackman also engaged in a campaign to remove Claudine Gay from her position as Harvard's president.

2023: Support for RFK Jr's Stance on Vaccinations

In 2023, Bill Ackman declared support for RFK Jr's stance on vaccinations, stating he raised important issues about vaccines and their safety.

2023: Participation in WhatsApp group chat

In 2023, Bill Ackman was member of Whatsapp group which later held a video call in April 2024 with New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

January 3, 2024: Business Insider Expose on Neri Oxman's Dissertation

On January 3, 2024, Business Insider published an exposé detailing how Bill Ackman's wife, Neri Oxman, plagiarized portions of her dissertation.

January 10, 2024: Ackman Exits WhatsApp Group Chat

A spokesperson for Bill Ackman stated that he had not participated in the 2023-2024 WhatsApp group chat since January 10, 2024.

January 12, 2024: Ackman Severs Ties with Democratic Party

On January 12, 2024, Bill Ackman stated he no longer wants to be associated with the Democratic Party and stated he does not want to be part of a party.

January 15, 2024: Phillips floats Cabinet post for Ackman and Musk

On January 15, 2024, Dean Phillips floated a possible Cabinet post for Bill Ackman and Elon Musk in a forum with them.

January 2024: Calls for Resignation of Harvard Board Members

After Claudine Gay resigned in January 2024, Bill Ackman called for the resignation of Harvard Board Chair Penny Pritzker and other members of the board, describing the university's diversity, equity, and inclusion movement as the "root cause of antisemitism at Harvard".

April 2024: Ackman Announces he will not support Joe Biden

In April 2024, Bill Ackman announced via X that he would not support Joe Biden in the upcoming election due to Biden's alleged lack of support for Israel.

April 2024: Video Call with NYC Mayor Eric Adams

In April 2024, members of the 2023–2024 WhatsApp group chat held a video call with New York City Mayor Eric Adams to pressure Columbia's president to permit the mayor to send police to shut down campus protests.

May 16, 2024: Involvement in WhatsApp Group Chat

On May 16, 2024, The Washington Post reported on Bill Ackman's involvement in a WhatsApp group chat with Israeli military leaders and top US business leaders with the stated goal to "change the narrative" in favor of Israel.

July 14, 2024: Ackman Endorses Trump in 2024

On July 14, 2024, Bill Ackman endorsed Donald Trump in the aftermath of his attempted assassination.

2024: Ackman and Oxman co-trustees of Foundation

As of 2024, Bill Ackman and his wife, Neri Oxman, are the co-trustees of the Pershing Square Foundation.

2024: Endorsement of Donald Trump and Support for Israel

In 2024, Bill Ackman endorsed Donald Trump in the United States presidential election, having been a long-time donor to Democratic candidates. Furthermore, Ackman has been an active supporter of Israel, especially following the October 7 attacks, and criticized the pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses in 2024.

May 18, 2025: Defense of Trump's Defunding of Science Research

On May 18, 2025, Bill Ackman defended President Trump's defunding of science research at Harvard on the grounds of antisemitism on campus during a panel at the Center for Jewish History.

June 14, 2025: Advocating for US to join Israel in War against Iran

On June 14, 2025, Bill Ackman posted a tweet on Twitter advocating for the US to join Israel in its war against Iran.

July 2025: Tucker Carlson Remarks on Ackman's Net Worth

In July 2025, former Fox News host Tucker Carlson spoke about Bill Ackman's net worth and his contributions to society, prompting Ackman to respond on social media.

December 2025: Promotion of GoFundMe Page and Donation

Following the Bondi Beach shooting in December 2025, Bill Ackman promoted a GoFundMe page raising funds for Ahmed Al-Ahmed and later donated $99,999 to the campaign.

2025: False Identification in Brown University Shooting

After the 2025 Brown University shooting, Bill Ackman shared information falsely identifying a Palestinian Brown University undergraduate student as the shooter.

2025: Hall of Fame Open Appearance and Controversy

In 2025, Bill Ackman received a wild card berth at the Hall of Fame Open at the age of 59 and lost in a doubles match, leading to criticism and the rejection of a $10 million endowment offer to the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

2025: Involvement in NYC Mayoral Election

In 2025, Bill Ackman was a supporter of Andrew Cuomo during the New York City mayoral election and an outspoken critic of Zohran Mamdani, who later won the election.