Jim Kennedy Net Worth

How much is Jim Kennedy’s net worth?

net worth: $8.2 billion
age: 76
Birth: November 29, 1947
gender: Male
Height: unknown
country of origin: United States of america
Sources of funds: Media executive
Last Updated: August 2, 2024

Introduction

Jim Kennedy is an American media executive and the current chairman of Cox Enterprises.

The group was founded by his grandfather, James M. Cox. Kennedy began his career in 1972 and worked in several media roles.

He subsequently held a variety of positions in the newspaper industry, including production assistant, reporter, copy editor, advertising salesman, business manager, etc.

Jim Kennedy’s net worth is estimated to be around $8.2 billion.

early life

James “Jim” Cox Kennedy was born on November 29, 1947 in Honolulu.

Kennedy is the son of Barbara Cox Anthony and airline executive Stanley C. Kennedy Jr.

His maternal grandfather was James M. Cox, the 46th and 48th governor of Ohio, newspaper publisher, and broadcaster. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Denver in 1970.

In 2003 he received an honorary doctorate from Kennesaw State University.

Livelihood

James C. Kennedy started at Cox Enterprises in 1972 as a newspaper production assistant, followed by roles as a reporter, copy editor and advertising salesman.

Kennedy’s commitment and versatility quickly brought him into the spotlight, and by 1979, he took over as president of Grand Junction Newspapers, Inc.

Unlike Rupert Murdoch, who started his own media company, Jim Kennedy inherited his interest in Cox Enterprises from his mother.

In 1986 he was appointed executive vice president of Cox Enterprises and his impact on the company earned him the title of “the new guy” in the industry.

His contributions to the newspaper industry were so immense that he was later inducted into the Technology Hall of Fame of the Technology Association of Georgia in 2016.

The pinnacle of success

In 2004, he was honored by Georgia State University’s J. Mack Robinson College of Business Hall of Fame for his contributions to the state.

His career success was highlighted in a 2015 Forbes profile titled “This billionaire knows the secret to saving the family business.”

Two years later, in 2017, he was ranked the 105th richest person globally and the 37th wealthiest in the United States.

He was the richest man in the state of Georgia, increasing his wealth to the point that he became a billionaire.

Kennedy is one of the richest people in the world, joining Jack Ma and Phil Knight on the list of wealthy industrialists.

Becoming Philanthropist of the Year

In addition to his financial success, Kennedy was a recognized philanthropist, having been awarded the prestigious title of Philanthropist of the Year by the Association for Fundraising Professionals in 2003.

Jim’s dedication to education is remembered through the Jim Kennedy Scholarship Fund and a $10 million contribution made to the University of Denver in 2008.

His fund awards 10 scholarships each year at $40,000 each to children of full-time Cox Enterprises employees who have a minimum GPA of 2.50.

Kennedy also contributed to the community through a variety of organizations, serving on the boards of the PATH Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and the Atlanta Committee for Progress.

In 2008, he established the James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Waterfowl and Wetland Conservation at Mississippi State University.

Despite his remarkable success, Kennedy remains grounded and emphasizes the importance of consistency; he participated as a speaker at Fortune’s Brainstorm Green.

coping with health challenges

Kennedy’s journey has not been without challenges, and in 2014 he faced a personal health crisis when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Following his diagnosis, he threw himself into an advocacy program for men’s health awareness, successfully raising nearly $2 million for the Movember Foundation.

He accomplished this with the help of Cox Enterprises and emerged cancer-free, while continuing to promote health screenings for early detection.

In 2015, he announced a $25 million grant to Emory for prostate cancer efforts, a testament to his ongoing commitment to health work.

Like entrepreneur Bershan Shaw and ice hockey player Saku Koivu, Kennedy has also recovered from cancer and is living his life without any obstacles.

Family Roots and Legacy

James C. Kennedy’s family ties to Cox Enterprises trace back deeply to his maternal grandfather, James M. Cox, who served as the 46th and 48th governor of Ohio.

This laid the foundation for the family’s involvement in media and business and was the starting point of his family’s media empire.

His sister, Blair Parry-Okeden, holds an equal stake in Cox Enterprises, which she inherited from their mother, Barbara Cox Anthony.

Kennedy is also particularly devoted to the University of Denver, where he serves as a member of the Board of Trustees.

He is actively engaged in wildlife conservation and setting up special chairs and centres in various institutions.

He is not free from controversies

Kennedy was involved in a dispute over public access rights to part of a river he owned in Montana, which generated considerable media controversy.

The Wetlands America Trust presented him with the 2014 National Blue-winged Teal Award for his contributions to the conservation of the nation’s natural resources.

His career is an inspirational story for ambitious business leaders who started from the bottom and rose to the top of the organization.

He inherited a 25% stake in Cox Enterprises from his mother’s estate in 2007, but by then he already understood the business well.

Jim Kennedy Net Worth

Jim Kennedy’s net worth is estimated to be around $8.2 billion.

Highlights

Here are some of the best things from Jim Kennedy’s career:

  • Current Chairman of Cox Enterprises
  • He gave $3.1 million to create the University Endowed Chair in Wetlands and Waterfowl Conservation at Colorado State University (2016)

Favorite quotes from Jim Kennedy

“I’m still the president of the company. I’m still there a lot of the time. The newspaper part of the business is really under pressure and struggling. Newspapers need to figure out how to survive in a world of electronically delivered news. And they need to be able to monetize all the content they produce that is now distributed free.” – Jim Kennedy

“It hasn’t had as big an impact on television and radio. If you look at the numbers for radio and television they’re still very good, but the more ways people have to get news, entertainment or information, the more fragmented the market becomes.” – Jim Kennedy

“My mom loved the outdoors, and she instilled that in me. When I came to Colorado, I enjoyed the grandeur of the West — I don’t want to sound too corny — whether we were hunting, fishing, hiking or skiing, and I thought, “This is really cool.” – Jim Kennedy

“I’m fortunate that all three of my kids hunt to some degree. I’m a big game bowhunter only and I only hunt with conventional equipment, so I’ve spent a lot of time hunting and not accomplished much.” – Jim Kennedy

“Cox has a legacy of embracing technology and challenging the status quo. This is something we will continue to do. I am personally excited to see how technology can not only improve business, but how we can improve sustainability and healthcare.” – Jim Kennedy

3 Life Lessons from Jim Kennedy

Now that you know all about Jim Kennedy’s net worth and his success; let’s look at some lessons we can learn from him:

1. Be stubborn

Stick to the vision and strategy.

2. Make it work

Make things work, and if you fail, keep trying.

3. Stop worrying

If your brain power is drained by constant worry, you will have none left to focus on the real issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Jim Kennedy worth?

Jim Kennedy’s net worth is estimated at $8.2 billion.

How old is Jim Kennedy?

Jim Kennedy was born on 29 November 1947 and currently, he is 76 years old.

How tall is Jim Kennedy?

Jim Kennedy’s height is unknown.

Summary

Jim Kennedy is an American media executive who started at Cox Newspapers.

After serving as president of Grand Junction Newspapers, Inc. in Grand Junction, Colorado, he served as president of the Grand Junction Newspapers, Inc. in 1984, until his retirement in 1985, until his retirement in 1986 …

Today, he is chairman of Cox Enterprises. The Atlanta-based business controls the third-largest cable operator in the U.S.

Jim Kennedy’s net worth is estimated to be around $8.2 billion.

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