Paul Singer (businessman)

Paul Singer (born August 22, 1944) is an American hedge fund manager, activist investor, and philanthropist. He is the founder, president, and co-CEO of Elliott Management Corporation, a multi-billion dollar hedge fund known for its aggressive investment strategies and its involvement in sovereign debt disputes.

Singer received a B.S. in psychology from the University of Rochester in 1966 and a J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1969. After working as a lawyer and real estate investor, he founded Elliott Associates L.P. (later renamed Elliott Management Corporation) in 1977 with $1.3 million of family and friends' money.

Elliott Management Corporation is known for its "vulture fund" tactics, buying distressed debt of countries and corporations at a steep discount and then pursuing full repayment through legal action. Notable examples include Argentina, Peru, and Congo-Brazzaville. These actions have drawn considerable controversy and criticism, with Singer being characterized as a "distressed debt investor" and "litigation funder" who profits from the economic hardship of others.

Beyond distressed debt, Elliott Management invests in a variety of asset classes, including equities, commodities, and real estate. The fund has also been involved in activist investing, taking significant stakes in companies and pushing for changes in management or strategy to increase shareholder value.

Singer is a prominent conservative political donor and activist. He is a major supporter of the Republican Party and has contributed significantly to conservative causes and candidates. He is also a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and same-sex marriage, often taking stances that differ from other major Republican donors. He founded the Paul E. Singer Foundation, which supports a variety of philanthropic causes, including medical research, education, and public policy initiatives.