Gies, who also has his name on the university’s College of Business, made the contribution in memory of his late father, Larry Gies Sr., a United States Army veteran. The move comes just a year after the stadium’s centennial celebration, cementing his legacy in Illinois athletics while honoring his family roots.
The founder and CEO of Madison Industries, a Chicago-based global investment company, Gies has long been one of the university’s most influential supporters. In 2017, a $150 million gift from the Gies family led to the renaming of the business school as the Gies College of Business, underscoring his deep ties to his alma mater.
But beyond his philanthropic footprint on campus, Gies’ fortune and financial success through Madison Industries have made him one of Illinois’ wealthiest figures, with an estimated net worth in the billions. Here is how much Larry Gies’s net worth is.
Larry Gies’ net worth
While Larry Gies’ exact income isn’t public, since Madison Industries is privately held, his wealth has been estimated at around $1.5 billion, according to nextnetworthmagazine. The company generates an annual revenue of roughly $5 billion, making it one of the world’s most successful privately held industrial conglomerates.
As per the outlet, most of Gies’ fortune comes from ownership stakes, dividends, and steady growth, rather than a fixed salary, a reflection of how long-term wealth is built through business control and expansion. Parallel to this estimate, 247Sports also termed him as a billionaire. However, there are currently no official reports confirming Larry Gies’ actual earnings or net worth.
Who is Larry Gies?
Larry Gies was born on October 17, 1964, in Decatur, Illinois, where he grew up with his siblings in modest circumstances. His family wasn’t wealthy, and early life presented its share of challenges. Yet those experiences became a driving force, shaping the ambition that would later define him.After graduating from the University of Illinois and later earning a degree from Northwestern University, Gies embarked on a career that would far outpace his humble beginnings. He went on to found Madison Industries, which has grown into one of the largest and most diverse privately held industrial conglomerates in the world. The company is known for acquiring and building entrepreneurially driven businesses focused on safety, health, and productivity.
Currently, Gies is the president and CEO of Madison, which employs more than 20,000 people and manages a portfolio that includes everything from medical technologies to clean air.
Who is Larry Gies’ wife?
Larry Gies is married to Beth Gies, who has played a central role in the couple’s philanthropic journey. Together, they made one of the most transformative contributions in US business school history, a $150 million donation to the University of Illinois that propelled the institution into national prominence.