Photo: Amanda Gordon/Bloomberg/Getty
The 78-year-old businessman waspronounced deadat his 5th Avenue office building in New York on Thursday.
On Friday, the New York City Medical Examiner’s office confirmed to PEOPLE that the financier died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
His cause of death has officially been declared a suicide, a spokesperson tells PEOPLE.
The father of five was married toAnne Tenenbaumfor 27 years and known both for his business savvy and philanthropy.
Friend Michael Sitrick confirmed his death on behalf of Lee’s family Thursday, remembering him as someone who “put other’s needs before your own.
“While the world knew him as one of the pioneers in the private equity business and a successful businessman, we knew him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, sibling, friend and philanthropist who always put others' needs before his own,” said Sitrick in astatement to the BBC.
His career dates back to 1974 when he ran the Boston-based firm Thomas H. Lee Partners,according toChicago Business, and helped invest $12 billion, leading to his formation of the New York-based firm Lee Equity Partners.
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As of 2020, he had invested a total of $15 billion withForbesadding thathe was worth $2 billionwhen he died.
He notably donated $22 million to his alma mater, Harvard University, in 1996.
“I’ve been lucky to make some money. I’m more than happy to give some of it back,” said Lee of his donation,according toBBC. A portion of the funds was used to help students get financial aid, the outlet added.
source: people.com
