History of T. Boone Pickens in Timeline
Thomas Boone Pickens Jr. was a prominent American business magnate and financier, known for his role as chairman of the hedge fund BP Capital Management. He gained notoriety in the 1980s as a corporate raider and takeover operator, significantly impacting the business landscape of the time. Despite his aggressive business tactics, Pickens amassed a considerable fortune, estimated at $500 million as of November 2016.
May 22, 1928: Birth of T. Boone Pickens
T. Boone Pickens was born on May 22, 1928.
1949: Pickens Marries Lynn O'Brien
In 1949, T. Boone Pickens married Lynn O'Brien. They later divorced in 1971.
1951: Graduation from Oklahoma State University
T. Boone Pickens graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in geology in 1951.
1954: Departure from Phillips Petroleum
In 1954, T. Boone Pickens left his employment at Phillips Petroleum.
1956: Founding of Mesa Petroleum
T. Boone Pickens founded Mesa Petroleum in 1956.
1971: Pickens Divorces Lynn O'Brien
T. Boone Pickens and Lynn O'Brien divorced in 1971.
April 1972: Pickens Marries Beatrice Stuart
In April 1972, T. Boone Pickens married Beatrice "Bea" Carr Stuart.
1980: Start of Political Donations
Since 1980, T. Boone Pickens began making significant political donations.
1981: Mesa Petroleum's Growth and Acquisitions
By 1981, Mesa Petroleum had become a major independent oil company, and Pickens led its acquisition of Hugoton Production Company. He then focused on acquiring other oil and gas companies.
March 1985: Time Magazine Cover
T. Boone Pickens appeared on the cover of Time magazine in March 1985 following the Gulf Oil takeover attempt.
1986: Involvement with United Shareholders Association
T. Boone Pickens became involved in the creation of the United Shareholders Association (USA) in 1986.
1988: Consideration of Presidential Run
T. Boone Pickens briefly considered running for president in 1988.
1989: Move to Dallas Suburb
T. Boone Pickens and Mesa Petroleum moved to a Dallas suburb in 1989.
1993: End of Involvement with USA
T. Boone Pickens' involvement with the United Shareholders Association ended in 1993.
1996: Sale of Mesa Petroleum
Mesa Petroleum, facing financial difficulties, was sold to Richard Rainwater in 1996, and Pickens was removed from the company.
1997: Founding of BP Capital Management
T. Boone Pickens founded BP Capital Management in 1997.
1997: Mesa Petroleum Merger
Mesa Petroleum merged with Parker & Parsley Petroleum to form Pioneer Natural Resources in 1997.
1997: Formation of Pickens Fuel Corporation
Pickens formed Pickens Fuel Corporation in 1997 to promote natural gas as a vehicle fuel.
July 1998: SEC Approves One-Share, One-Vote Rule
In July 1998, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved a "one-share, one-vote" rule, a key objective of the United Shareholders Association, which Pickens was involved in.
November 2000: Pickens Marries Nelda Cain
T. Boone Pickens married Nelda Cain in November 2000. They divorced in 2004.
2001: Clean Energy Fuels Corporation
Pickens Fuel Corporation was reincorporated as Clean Energy Fuels Corporation in 2001.
November 2004: Pickens Divorces Nelda Cain
In November 2004, T. Boone Pickens and Nelda Cain divorced.
2004: Contributions to Republican Groups
In 2004, T. Boone Pickens contributed heavily to Republican 527 groups.
December 30, 2005: Pickens donates $165 million to Oklahoma State University
On December 30, 2005, T. Boone Pickens donated $165 million to Oklahoma State University, which was immediately invested in his hedge fund, BP Capital Management. The gift aimed to fund sports facilities but sparked controversy over the use of eminent domain for the projects.
2005: Pickens Marries Madeleine Paulson
T. Boone Pickens married Madeleine Paulson in 2005. They divorced in 2012.
2005: Contribution to Bush's Second Inauguration
T. Boone Pickens contributed to President Bush's second inauguration in 2005.
2005: Texas Law Promotes Wind Energy
In 2005, a Texas law was enacted to encourage new wind energy projects, setting the stage for developments like Pickens' wind farm initiative.
November 6, 2006: Pickens donates $5 million to Texas Woman's University
On November 6, 2006, T. Boone Pickens donated $5 million to Texas Woman's University to support the construction of a new health sciences center in Dallas. This donation was part of Pickens' broader philanthropic efforts.
2006: Significant Earnings from BP Capital
In 2006, Pickens earned significant profits from his equity in BP Capital funds.
May 16, 2007: Pickens donates $100 million to Texas health care institutions
On May 16, 2007, T. Boone Pickens made a substantial donation of $100 million to two University of Texas health care institutions. The funds were intended to grow significantly before being utilized, demonstrating Pickens' commitment to long-term support for health initiatives.
July 16, 2007: Support for Rudy Giuliani's Presidential Campaign
On July 16, 2007, T. Boone Pickens publicly supported Rudy Giuliani for president.
July 28, 2007: OSU moves $28 million to Pickens' BP Capital Management
On July 28, 2007, Oklahoma State University transferred $28 million from its foundation to T. Boone Pickens' BP Capital Management. This decision followed a previous investment of $277 million, with Pickens waiving his management fees for the university's funds.
August 16, 2007: Mesa Power's Texas Wind Farm Proposal
On August 16, 2007, Pickens' company, Mesa Power, filed documents with the state of Texas proposing the addition of four gigawatts of electricity to the state's grid using a wind farm. The project, planned for completion in 2011, would involve up to 2,700 turbines on up to 200,000 acres in the Texas Panhandle.
September 19, 2007: Pickens Predicts $100 Oil
On September 19, 2007, T. Boone Pickens publicly stated on CNBC his prediction that the price of oil would reach $100 per barrel due to increasing demand and stagnant supply. He expressed confidence in natural gas as a vehicle fuel alternative, asserting it would remain cheaper than gasoline and diesel.
November 6, 2007: Pickens offers $1 million challenge regarding Swift Vets political ads
On November 6, 2007, T. Boone Pickens offered a $1 million reward to anyone who could disprove the claims made in the political ads by Swift Vets and POWs for Truth, a group he supported during the 2004 presidential election. This challenge was directed towards those disputing the group's statements about John Kerry's military record and anti-war activism during the Vietnam War.
November 16, 2007: Kerry accepts Pickens' challenge, conditions refined
On November 16, 2007, John Kerry accepted T. Boone Pickens' challenge to disprove the Swift Vets and POWs for Truth claims, asking Pickens to donate the reward to the Paralyzed Veterans of America if successful. In response, Pickens refined the challenge conditions, focusing specifically on the ads and requiring additional documentation from Kerry.
2007: Pickens Has Twelve Grandchildren
As of 2007, T. Boone Pickens had twelve grandchildren.
2007: High Earnings from BP Capital
T. Boone Pickens earned $2.7 billion from BP Capital in 2007.
January 2, 2008: $100 Barrel of Oil Milestone
On January 2, 2008, the first $100 per barrel oil contract was traded on the NYMEX exchange.
January 30, 2008: Pickens Prepares for Wind Turbine Purchase
On January 30, 2008, Pickens announced his readiness to begin purchasing wind turbines for his Texas wind farm project, estimating the cost between $200 million and $300 million for 1,700 to 2,000 turbines. He also mentioned being in talks with potential partners for the project.
May 15, 2008: Mesa Power Orders Wind Turbines
On May 15, 2008, Mesa Power placed an initial order for 667 wind turbines from General Electric, scheduled for delivery in 2010 and 2011, marking significant progress in the Texas wind farm project.
May 21, 2008: Pickens donates $100 million to Oklahoma State University academics
On May 21, 2008, T. Boone Pickens donated $100 million to Oklahoma State University for academic purposes, which was to be matched by the state of Oklahoma. This significant contribution was part of Pickens' ongoing support for the university.
June 20, 2008: Pickens donates $25 million to University of Calgary
On June 20, 2008, T. Boone Pickens donated $25 million to the University of Calgary's Faculty of Medicine. The donation was made during a visit with Calgary Flames owner Harley Hotchkiss, reinforcing Pickens' dedication to health and education initiatives.
June 22, 2008: Vietnam veterans rebut Swift Boat group claims
On June 22, 2008, a group of Vietnam veterans who served with John Kerry submitted a detailed rebuttal to T. Boone Pickens, challenging the Swift Boat group's accusations. Despite their efforts, Pickens dismissed the evidence as irrelevant to the specific issues raised in the ads, thus not qualifying for the $1 million reward.
July 8, 2008: Pickens Unveils "The Pickens Plan"
On July 8, 2008, Pickens introduced "The Pickens Plan", an energy policy proposal aimed at reducing U.S. dependence on foreign oil. The plan advocated for alternative energy sources, particularly natural gas for commercial transport, and emphasized utilizing the nation's wind corridor.
July 2008: Pickens Testifies Before Congress
In July 2008, Pickens testified before Congress regarding his "Pickens Plan", highlighting its potential to create jobs and stimulate the economy while also addressing the need for new transmission lines and federal subsidies for wind energy.
July 2008: Oil Price Surge
In July 2008, oil prices briefly surpassed $145 per barrel.
July 17, 2008: Texas Approves Funding for Transmission Lines
On July 17, 2008, the Texas Public Utilities Commission approved $4.98 billion in funding for transmission lines to connect wind farms in the Texas Panhandle to the electric grid, supporting the development of renewable energy projects.
September 2008: Oil Price Decline
By the start of September 2008, the price of oil had dropped below $110 a barrel.
October 9, 2008: Oil Price Plummets
On October 9, 2008, the price of oil fell below $85 per barrel.
November 2008: California voters reject Proposition 10
In November 2008, California voters turned down Proposition 10, a referendum heavily backed by T. Boone Pickens' Clean Energy Fuels Corporation. The measure, which would have sold $5 billion in bonds for alternative energy rebates, was intended to benefit Pickens' natural gas fueling station company significantly.
November 21, 2008: Oil Price Falls Below $50
On November 21, 2008, driven by fears of a global recession, oil prices fell below $50 a barrel.
2008: Publication of "The First Billion Is the Hardest"
T. Boone Pickens published his book, "The First Billion Is the Hardest," in 2008.
July 8, 2009: Pickens Postpones Texas Wind Farm
On July 8, 2009, T. Boone Pickens announced the postponement of his Texas wind farm project, citing difficulties securing financing for new transmission lines and existing limited transmission capacity. While committed to the purchased wind turbines, he acknowledged a slower development pace for the project.
July 2009: Pickens Removes Driveway Slab
In July 2009, Pickens sparked controversy by removing a piece of his childhood driveway from his grandmother's former home, leading to a dispute with the current owner.
2009: Pickens' Renewed $100 Oil Prediction and Bet
In early 2009, T. Boone Pickens reiterated his belief that oil prices would return to $100 within a year, making a public bet on it with reporter John Stossel.
2009: Bower Award for Business Leadership
T. Boone Pickens received the Bower Award for Business Leadership from The Franklin Institute in 2009.
February 2010: Judge Rules on Driveway Slab
In February 2010, a judge ruled that the driveway slab belonged to the current homeowner, not Pickens.
May 2010: Meeting with John Kerry
John Kerry met with T. Boone Pickens in May 2010 to discuss energy and climate change legislation, incorporating aspects of the "Pickens Plan."
May 22, 2010: Pickens Loses Oil Bet
On May 22, 2010, Pickens lost his bet with John Stossel when the price of oil remained below $100, closing at $69.92.
December 10, 2010: Pickens Shifts Focus to Natural Gas
On December 10, 2010, MSNBC reported that Pickens had shifted his focus from wind farms to natural gas due to low natural gas prices making wind power less attractive to utility companies.
December 15, 2010: Pickens Abandons Wind Farms for Natural Gas
On December 15, 2010, reports surfaced that T. Boone Pickens had abandoned his wind farm plans, choosing to concentrate on natural gas as a more economically viable energy source.
2010: Scheduled Wind Turbine Delivery
2010 was the first year of the scheduled delivery of wind turbines for the planned Texas wind farm, a key step in the project's timeline.
2010: Pickens awarded 'Effecting Change' award
In 2010, T. Boone Pickens received the 'Effecting Change' award from 100 Women in Hedge Funds. This recognition highlighted Pickens' influence and impact in the financial sector, particularly in promoting change through philanthropy.
2011: Projected Completion of Texas Wind Farm
2011 was the projected completion date for Pickens' ambitious wind farm project in the Texas Panhandle, although the project ultimately faced challenges and delays.
2011: Scheduled Wind Turbine Delivery
2011 marked the second year for the delivery of the wind turbines for Pickens' Texas wind farm project, although the overall project faced setbacks.
May 2012: Pickens receives Albert Schweitzer Leadership Award
In May 2012, T. Boone Pickens was honored with the Albert Schweitzer Leadership Award by the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation. This award recognized his lifetime achievements and the positive example he set for future leaders.
2012: Pickens Divorces Madeleine Paulson
Pickens and Madeleine Paulson divorced amicably in 2012.
January 2013: Pickens' Grandson Dies
In January 2013, Pickens' grandson, Thomas "Ty" Boone Pickens IV, died from a heroin overdose.
February 21, 2013: Pickens Supports Eco-Friendly Food Truck
On February 21, 2013, Pickens and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg showed their support for Neapolitan Express, an eco-friendly food truck company, emphasizing its reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
December 4, 2013: Pickens Proposes to Toni Brinker
On December 4, 2013, Pickens proposed to Toni Chapman Brinker. They married in 2014 and later divorced in 2017.
February 14, 2014: Pickens Marries Toni Brinker
T. Boone Pickens and Toni Chapman Brinker married on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2014.
November 2016: Net Worth Reported
As of November 2016, T. Boone Pickens' net worth was reported as $500 million.
June 2017: Pickens Divorces Toni Brinker
T. Boone Pickens and Toni Brinker divorced in June 2017.
2017: Pickens' Declining Health
In 2017, T. Boone Pickens experienced a decline in health, suffering from a series of strokes and a fall. This marked a difficult period in his later life.
2018: Closure of BP Capital Management
T. Boone Pickens closed BP Capital Management in 2018 due to declining health.
September 11, 2019: Death of T. Boone Pickens
T. Boone Pickens passed away on September 11, 2019.
September 18, 2019: Pickens' Final Message
On September 18, 2019, following Pickens' death on September 11, 2019, his foundation shared a pre-written message titled "A final message from T. Boone Pickens." This message contained personal reflections on his life, lessons learned, and his perspective on mortality.