History of Robert Kraft in Timeline

Robert Kraft is an American billionaire businessman with an estimated net worth of $11.1 billion as of July 2024. He is the chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in various sectors, including paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and private equity. Kraft is widely recognized as the owner of the New England Patriots, an NFL team he's owned since 1994. He also founded the New England Revolution, an MLS team established in 1996, and more recently entered the esports arena by founding the Boston Uprising in 2017. His business empire spans several industries showcasing his diverse investment portfolio.

June 5, 1941: Robert Kraft's Birth

Robert Kraft was born on June 5, 1941.

1962: Meeting Myra Hiatt

Robert Kraft met his future wife, Myra Hiatt, in 1962.

June 1963: Marriage to Myra Hiatt

Robert Kraft married Myra Hiatt in June 1963.

1965: Harvard Business School Graduation

Robert Kraft graduated from Harvard Business School with an MBA in 1965.

1968: Rand-Whitney Group Acquisition

Robert Kraft took control of Rand-Whitney Group in 1968 through a leveraged buyout.

1970: Consideration of Political Career

In 1970, Robert Kraft considered running for political office but decided against it due to concerns about privacy and family strain.

1971: New England Patriots Season Ticket Holder

Robert Kraft became a New England Patriots season ticket holder in 1971.

1972: International Forest Products Founding

Robert Kraft founded International Forest Products in 1972.

1974: Purchase of Boston Lobsters

Robert Kraft and five others purchased the Boston Lobsters in 1974.

1978: Boston Lobsters Fold

The Boston Lobsters folded in 1978.

1982: Investment in New England Television Corp.

Robert Kraft invested in New England Television Corp. in 1982.

1984: The Jackson Five Victory Tour

The Sullivan family's investment in the Jackson Five's 1984 Victory Tour led to financial difficulties.

1985: Purchase of Foxboro Raceway Option

Robert Kraft purchased a 10-year option on Foxboro Raceway in 1985.

1986: New England Television Corp. Presidency

Robert Kraft became president of New England Television Corp. in 1986.

1988: Sale of Patriots Controlling Interest

Billy Sullivan sold controlling interest in the Patriots in 1988.

1988: Purchase of Foxboro Stadium

Robert Kraft purchased Foxboro Stadium in 1988.

1989: Passport to Israel Fund Launched

Myra and Robert Kraft launched the Passport to Israel Fund in 1989 to support teenage trips to Israel.

1990: Kraft-Hiatt Endowed Chairs Established

In 1990, Kraft, his wife, and father-in-law funded the Kraft-Hiatt endowed chairs in comparative religion at Brandeis University and the College of the Holy Cross, the first inter-religious endowed chairs in the US.

1991: Kraft's Business Insights

In 1991, Robert Kraft discussed the operations and clients of his paper and packaging companies.

1991: Sale of New England Television Corp. Shares

Robert Kraft sold his shares in New England Television Corp. in 1991.

1992: Sale of Patriots to James Orthwein

Victor Kiam sold the Patriots to James Orthwein in 1992.

1994: Patriots Season Ticket Sell-Out

Following Kraft's purchase, the Patriots sold out their entire 1994 season.

1994: New England Patriots Ownership

In 1994, Robert Kraft became the owner of the New England Patriots.

1994: Purchase of New England Patriots

Robert Kraft purchased the New England Patriots in 1994 for $172 million.

1996: First Super Bowl Appearance under Kraft

In 1996, the Patriots made their first Super Bowl appearance under Robert Kraft's ownership, highlighting the team's growing success.

1996: New England Revolution Founding

Robert Kraft founded the New England Revolution in 1996.

1997: International Forest Products Recognition

In 1997, International Forest Products became a top 100 US exporter/importer.

1998: Hartford Stadium Deal

In 1998, Robert Kraft considered moving the Patriots to Hartford, Connecticut, but ultimately decided against it.

1998: Ownership of San Jose Clash

Kraft acquired ownership of the San Jose Clash (later San Jose Earthquakes) in 1998, further demonstrating his interest in soccer.

1998: Kraft Group Formation

Robert Kraft formed the Kraft Group in 1998.

January 27, 2000: Bill Belichick hired as head coach

On January 27, 2000, Robert Kraft traded a first-round draft pick to the New York Jets for the rights to hire Bill Belichick as the Patriots' head coach. This move, initially criticized, proved remarkably successful, leading to multiple Super Bowl victories and establishing a dominant era for the Patriots.

2000: Donation for Columbia/Hillel Construction

Kraft donated $11.5 million in 2000 to construct the Columbia/Hillel building.

2000: Sale of San Jose Earthquakes

Kraft sold the San Jose Earthquakes in 2000, marking a shift in his soccer investments.

2001: Journal of Commerce Ranking

In 2001, International Forest Products was ranked No. 7 on the Journal of Commerce's list of top exporters/importers.

2001: Tom Brady's Starting Role and Dynasty Beginnings

In 2001, Tom Brady, drafted in the sixth round the previous year, became the Patriots' starting quarterback, marking the beginning of a long and successful partnership with Kraft and Belichick. This trio formed the core of one of the most celebrated dynasties in NFL history.

2001: First Super Bowl Victory under Kraft

The Patriots secured their first Super Bowl victory under Kraft's ownership in 2001, solidifying the team's transformation into a championship contender.

2001: Foxboro Stadium Lease Expiration

The lease of Foxboro Stadium to the Patriots was set to expire in 2001.

2002: Gillette Stadium Construction

Robert Kraft financed the construction of Gillette Stadium in 2002.

2003: Second Super Bowl Victory

The Patriots won their second Super Bowl in 2003, further cementing their status as a dominant force in the NFL.

2004: Liverpool's Champions League Win

In 2004, Liverpool F.C., the team Kraft would later consider investing in, won the Champions League.

2004: Third Super Bowl Victory

In 2004, the Patriots achieved their third Super Bowl victory, establishing a remarkable period of sustained success.

November 2005: Interest in Liverpool F.C.

In November 2005, Kraft explored the possibility of investing in Liverpool F.C., expressing admiration for the club but ultimately not pursuing the opportunity.

2005: Kraft Gifts Super Bowl Ring to Vladimir Putin

During a visit to Russia in 2005, Robert Kraft gave his Super Bowl ring to President Vladimir Putin. While initially presented as a gift, Kraft later clarified he hadn't intended to give it away and only did so under pressure. The ring remains on display at the Kremlin.

2007: Robert K. Kraft Field Dedicated

In 2007, the playing field at Columbia University's Lawrence A. Wien Stadium was named Robert K. Kraft Field following a $5 million donation to the university's athletics program.

2007: Patriot Place Development

Robert Kraft developed Patriot Place, a shopping and entertainment center near Gillette Stadium, in 2007.

2007: Undefeated Regular Season and Super Bowl Loss

The Patriots completed an undefeated regular season in 2007, a historic achievement, but ultimately fell short in Super Bowl XLII against the New York Giants.

2009: Start of 11-Year AFC East Title Streak

The Patriots began an impressive streak of 11 consecutive AFC East titles in 2009, demonstrating their consistent dominance within their division.

July 20, 2011: Myra Kraft Passes Away

Myra Kraft, Robert Kraft's wife, passed away from ovarian cancer on July 20, 2011.

2011: Kraft's Role in Resolving the NFL Lockout

In 2011, Robert Kraft played a key role in resolving the NFL lockout, earning praise from players like Jeff Saturday for his contribution to saving the season.

2011: Kraft Family National Center for Leadership and Training in Community Health Launched

The Krafts pledged $20 million in 2011 to establish the Kraft Family National Center for Leadership and Training in Community Health, aiming to improve healthcare access in New England.

2011: Super Bowl Appearance

The Patriots returned to the Super Bowl in 2011, continuing their run of championship contention.

June 2012: Kraft Begins Dating Ricki Noel Lander

Robert Kraft began dating actress Ricki Noel Lander in June 2012.

July 2012: Kraft Assists Lander with Audition Tape

In July 2012, Kraft helped Lander create an audition tape, which later became public and caused controversy.

2013: Support for Boston Marathon Bombing Victims

Following the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013, Kraft pledged to match up to $100,000 in donations to support the victims.

2014: Fourth Super Bowl Victory

The Patriots secured their fourth Super Bowl title in 2014, marking another milestone in their era of success.

2016: Fifth Super Bowl Victory

In 2016, the Patriots won their fifth Super Bowl, further solidifying their legacy as one of the greatest teams in NFL history.

June 2017: Kraft Family Sports Campus Opens in Israel

In June 2017, the Kraft Family Sports Campus, featuring the first regulation-size American football field in Israel, opened with Kraft and NFL Hall of Famers present.

July 2017: Kraft Invests in Boston Uprising

In July 2017, Robert Kraft purchased ownership in the Boston Uprising, an Overwatch League esports team.

October 2017: Continued Interest in Premier League Club

In October 2017, Kraft reiterated his interest in owning a Premier League club, but expressed concerns about the lack of a salary cap.

December 6, 2017: Overwatch League Preseason Begins

The Overwatch League preseason began on December 6, 2017, marking the start of Boston Uprising's inaugural season.

2017: Kraft Supports Ryan O'Callaghan

In 2017, Robert Kraft publicly expressed his support for former Patriot Ryan O'Callaghan after he came out as gay, demonstrating Kraft's inclusivity and support for his players.

2017: Kraft Donates to Trump Inauguration

Kraft donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration celebrations in 2017.

2017: Honorary Chairman for 2026 FIFA World Cup Bid

Kraft was named Honorary Chairman for the successful joint North American bid for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in 2017.

2017: Boston Uprising Founding

Robert Kraft founded the Boston Uprising in 2017.

2017: Super Bowl Appearance

The Patriots made another Super Bowl appearance in 2017, showcasing their consistent ability to compete at the highest level.

January 10, 2018: Overwatch League Regular Season Begins

The regular season of the Overwatch League commenced on January 10, 2018, with Boston Uprising finishing third overall.

2018: Kraft and Lander Break Up

Kraft and Lander ended their relationship in 2018.

2018: Donation to Combined Jewish Philanthropies

Kraft donated $10 million to Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston in 2018 for headquarters renovations.

2018: Sixth Super Bowl Victory

The Patriots achieved their sixth Super Bowl victory in 2018, culminating another successful season and adding to their impressive championship record.

June 2019: Kraft Receives Genesis Prize and Pledges Millions

In June 2019, Robert Kraft received Israel's Genesis Prize and pledged $20 million to combat antisemitism and the BDS movement.

2019: End of an Era

2019 marked the end of Tom Brady's tenure as the Patriots' starting quarterback, concluding a significant chapter in the Kraft-Belichick-Brady dynasty.

2019: End of 11-Year AFC East Title Streak

2019 marked the end of the Patriots' 11-year reign as AFC East champions, concluding a remarkable period of divisional dominance.

2019: Final Whistle on Hate Match

In 2019, Kraft and Roman Abramovich hosted the "Final Whistle on Hate" soccer match, raising $4 million to combat antisemitism, with Kraft contributing $1 million personally.

2019: Kraft Charged with Soliciting Prostitution

In 2019, Kraft faced charges for soliciting prostitution, but the charges were later dropped due to privacy violations.

2019: Bruce Arena Hired by Revolution

In 2019, Kraft hired Bruce Arena as head coach and sporting director for the New England Revolution.

May 2020: Kraft Auctions Super Bowl Ring for Charity

In May 2020, Robert Kraft auctioned his Super Bowl LI ring to raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts.

2020: Popovich Criticizes Kraft's Support of Trump

In 2020, Gregg Popovich criticized Kraft's support for Trump while advocating for social justice.

2020: Kraft Donates Masks During Pandemic

In 2020, Robert Kraft partnered with Tencent to acquire and donate 1.2 million N95 masks to medical workers in New York and Massachusetts.

2020: Revolution's Playoff Success

In 2020, the New England Revolution achieved their first playoff win in six years under Bruce Arena's leadership.

May 2021: Kraft Delivers Vaccines to El Salvador

In May 2021, Robert Kraft facilitated the delivery of 500,000 vaccines to El Salvador using the Patriots' team plane.

October 2021: Kraft Lends Team Plane to URI Rams

In October 2021, Kraft lent the Patriots' team plane to the University of Rhode Island Rams football team and covered all costs.

March 5, 2022: Kraft and Dana Blumberg Get Engaged

Kraft and Dana Blumberg announced their engagement on March 5, 2022.

April 2022: Kraft Establishes Fellowship Fund at Harvard Business School

In April 2022, Robert Kraft established a $24 million fellowship fund at Harvard Business School to support students with limited financial resources.

October 14, 2022: Kraft Marries Dana Blumberg

Kraft and Dana Blumberg married on October 14, 2022, in New York City.

October 30, 2022: Kraft Sponsors Ad Denouncing Jewish Hate

On October 30, 2022, Kraft's Foundation to Combat Antisemitism sponsored an ad during NFL games to denounce hate against Jewish people.

March 2023: Kraft Invests in "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" Campaign

In March 2023, Robert Kraft invested $25 million in the "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" campaign to raise awareness about online antisemitism.

2023: Patriots Valuation

In 2023, the Patriots were estimated to be worth $7 billion, making them one of the most valuable franchises in the NFL.

July 2024: Net Worth Evaluation

As of July 2024, Forbes estimated Robert Kraft's net worth to be US$11.1 billion.

2026: 2026 FIFA World Cup Hosted in North America

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, for which Kraft served as Honorary Chairman of the bid committee, will be hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.