Ronald Owen Perelman (born January 1, 1943, in Greensboro, North Carolina) is an American billionaire businessman, investor, banker, and philanthropist who serves as chairman of MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated. The son of a successful textile manufacturer, Perelman grew up in a Jewish family and developed an early interest in business. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Villanova University in 1964 and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1966. After graduation, he joined his father's company, Belmont Textiles, and quickly rose through the ranks before expanding into other ventures. Perelman's career is marked by aggressive leveraged buyouts and corporate takeovers, starting with small acquisitions in the 1970s and scaling up to major deals in the 1980s, including the landmark acquisition of Revlon in 1985 for $1.8 billion, which became a cornerstone of his empire. Through his holding company, MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated (founded in 1980), Perelman has built a diverse portfolio spanning cosmetics (Revlon), entertainment (Deluxe Entertainment), pharmaceuticals (SIGA Technologies), gaming (Scientific Games Corporation), and consumer goods (Merisant, Valassis). His investment strategy often involved high-debt acquisitions, leading to significant holdings in companies like RetailMeNot, Scantron, Harland Clarke, and vTv Therapeutics. However, economic downturns and debt burdens prompted sales, such as his majority stake in AM General in 2020. Perelman has faced financial challenges, including Revlon's debt restructuring in 2020, contributing to a sharp decline in his net worth from a peak of $19.8 billion in 2018 to approximately $1.9 billion as of November 2022. He is known for his institutional ties, including a fellowship connection with David J. Blitzer. Perelman's personal life has been highly publicized, with four marriages: to Faith Golding (1970s), Claudia Cohen (1985-1994, divorced with an $80 million settlement), actress Ellen Barkin (2000-2006, divorced with a $40 million settlement), and currently to artist Anna Zorina since 2010. He has five children and resides primarily in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida. A prominent philanthropist with extensive ties to Jewish causes, Perelman has donated hundreds of millions to the University of Pennsylvania, particularly its medical school, where facilities bear his name. His Jewish heritage influences his charitable focus on education and health, and he is a member of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue. He has been criticized for aggressive business tactics and involvement in corporate governance disputes.