Thomas H. Lee (businessman)

Thomas H. Lee (businessman) (March 29, 1944 – February 23, 2023) was an American financier and private equity investor. He was best known as the founder of Thomas H. Lee Partners (THL), a pioneering private equity firm specializing in leveraged buyouts.

Lee began his career in finance at First National Bank of Boston and later worked at Warburg Pincus. In 1974, he founded Thomas H. Lee Partners. THL achieved significant success through acquisitions and restructurings of companies across various industries, including media, consumer products, and healthcare. One of the firm's most notable early deals was the 1992 acquisition of Snapple Beverages, which it sold two years later for a significant profit.

Lee left Thomas H. Lee Partners in 2006 and founded Lee Equity Partners, focusing on investments in the financial services, healthcare, and business services sectors. He was known for his philanthropic activities, supporting institutions such as Harvard University and the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.

Throughout his career, Lee played a significant role in the development and growth of the private equity industry. His passing in 2023 was widely noted in the financial community.