Herbert Kohler Jr. Biography & Net Worth
Popular Name: | Herbert Kohler Jr. |
Real Name: | Herbert Vollrath Kohler Jr. |
Birth Date: | February 20, 1939 |
Birth Place: | United States |
Age: | 83 |
Gender: | Male |
Nationality/Citizenship: | American |
Height: | N/A |
Weight: | N/A |
Sexuality: | Straight |
Marital Status: | Divorced |
Spouse(s): | Linda Karger (divorced) |
Children: | 3 |
Profession: | Businessman |
Years active: | N/A |
Net Worth: | $5.7 Billion |
Last Updated: | 2022 |
American businessman Herbert Kohler is a member of the successful Kohler family of Wisconsin. He has been the executive chairman of the Kohler, Wisconsin-based manufacturing business Kohler Company, since 2015 after having served as the chief executive officer and chairman of the company since 1972. While diverse in its products and services, Kohler Company focuses on living environments, throughout the home with its premier furniture; around the home with its engines and power systems; and the bath and kitchen with its plumbing products and mirrored cabinetry. Two world-class golf destinations in Kohler, Wisconsin, US, and St Andrews, Scotland acts as showrooms. The Company hosted the PGA Championships in 2004 and 2010, the British Open in 2015, and the Ryder Cup in 2020. Mr. Kohler, who also chaired the Board of Trustees of Choate Rosemary Hall, built the Kohler Environmental Center there; the first research, teaching, and residential environmental center in United States secondary education. He has spent several years serving as a director of the National Association of Manufacturers and a Trustee of the Brandywine Conservancy and Museum of Art, the Kennedy Center, Lawrence University, and Outward Bound.
Early Life
Herbert Vollrath Kohler Jr. was born on February 20, 1939, in Wisconsin, United States. His parents were Herbert Vollrath Sr. and Ruth Miriam DeYoung Kohler.
His father ran the Kohler Company for around three decades starting from 1937 until his death in 1968. He is related to other former presidents of the company, including Walter J. Kohler Sr. and his son Walter J. Kohler Jr.
Kohler studied at The Choate School (which is now known as Choate Rosemary Hall) in Wallingford, Connecticut), of which he held the role of chairman of the board of trustees for five years until 2010. After completing high school, he enrolled in Yale University, graduating in 1965 with a degree in Industrial Administration.
Professional Life
As soon as he graduated from Yale University, Herbert Kohler went to work for the family business, Kohler Company. He worked as a technician in every division of the company. In June 1972, at the age of 33, he became chairman of the board of the company and also assumed the position of chief executive officer.
The Kohler Company has always been a manufacturer of bathtubs, toilets, small engines, and other related plumbing fixtures. Under his leadership, the company grew significantly and more than doubled the size of its generator and engines business and also launched an interiors group that encompasses five furnishings lines today.
In April 2015, the company announced Mr. Kohler was stepping down as chief executive officer and relinquishing the position to his first son, David Kohler, while retaining the executive chairman role.
The businessman appeared in the 2003 film “Open Range” which starred Kevin Costner. He received the role because he had a strong friendship going on with Costner. He also appeared in the news documentary “60 Minutes Sports” playing a golf course owner.
Mr. Kohler owns a successful Morgan breeding facility. He has bred many well-known Morgan horses in it, including HVK Vibrance, HVK Bell Flaire, and HVK Courageous Flaire. He owned the Morgan horse Noble Flaire from 1985 until it died in 2006.
Achievements
Herb Kohler has been elected to the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame, the National Housing Hall of Fame, and the National Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame. He was a recipient of the Ernst & Young National Entrepreneur of the Year in Manufacturing Award in 2002. Furthermore, he also received the “Legend in Leadership Award” from the Chief Executive Leadership Institute of the Yale School of Management.
Personal Life
In 1961, Herbert Kohler married Linda Karger, but divorced her in the early 1980s.
He is an avid fan of professional golf and also likes to play the sport. The Kohler Company owns and controls four courses presently. The company’s courses have hosted countless golf tournaments, including the U.S. Women’s Open in 1998 and 2012, the PGA Championship in 2004, 2010, and 2015, the United States Senior Open in 2007, and the Ryder Cup in 2020.
He also owns two world-class golf destinations in Kohler, Wisconsin, US, and St Andrews, Scotland, which act as showrooms for the Kohler Company.
Herbert Kohler, Jr. Net Worth
American businessman, Herbert Kohler, Jr., currently has a net worth of $5.7 billion dollars. Based in Kohler, Wisconsin, he made a huge portion of his wealth as the chair and chief executive of his family’s company, Kohler Co.
Established in 1873 by his grandfather, Kohler Co., which was originally devoted to farm tool and cemetery ornament manufacture, has gone on to become a globally known brand concerned with all things plumbing, bathroom, and kitchen fixtures. The company also manufactures tile, engines, generators, and furniture, in addition to controlling several golf resorts in the United States and the United Kingdom.