Robert Kraft’s journey from a paper-and-packaging entrepreneur to the owner of one of the most valuable sports franchises in the world is a story of ambition, timing, and influence. In 1994 he bought the New England Patriots for $172 million (Forbes) — a purchase that would later multiply into a $10 billion empire. This article traces how that wealth was built, the personal relationships that shaped his legacy, and the political and philanthropic choices that define him today.

Age: 83 (born June 5, 1941) · Net worth: $11.1 billion (Forbes 2025) · Team ownership: New England Patriots (since 1994) · Spouse: Dana Blumberg (married 2022) · Political party: Republican · Religion: Jewish

  • 1941: Born in Brookline, Massachusetts
  • 1994: Buys Patriots for $172 million
Born June 5, 1941, Brookline, Massachusetts
Net worth $11.1 billion (Forbes 2025)
Team ownership New England Patriots (1994–present)
Spouse Dana Blumberg (m. 2022)
Political party Republican

Kraft built his fortune not on football but on paper. He founded International Forest Products in 1972, a global paper and packaging trading company that grew into one of the largest privately held firms in the industry (The Kraft Group).

What is Robert Kraft’s net worth?

  • Estimated at $11.1 billion by Forbes in 2025 (Forbes).
  • Wealth sources include paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate, and venture investing (New England Patriots).

The Patriots alone are now valued at more than $10 billion (Forbes), meaning Kraft’s initial $172 million investment has multiplied nearly sixtyfold.

The pattern: Kraft’s wealth is built on a single disciplined move — buying the Patriots — and decades of compounding through related businesses and philanthropy that burnishes his public standing.

  • Kraft owns 100% of the New England Patriots (NFL).
  • His son Jonathan Kraft serves as team president but does not hold an ownership stake.

Kraft married ophthalmologist Dana Blumberg in 2022. Born in 1982, Blumberg is about 41 years younger than Kraft, who was born in 1941 (The New York Times).

Dana Blumberg is an ophthalmologist based in New York (Boston.com).

“I’m not going to say a whole lot until I get to know the team,” — Tom Brady, during his 2019 MVP season (via NFL)

Brady’s move to Tampa Bay was driven in part by a desire for more say in roster decisions (ESPN).

He contributed $1 million to Trump’s 2017 inaugural committee and has donated to other Republican causes (InfluenceWatch).

Kraft attended the 2024 Republican National Convention but kept a low profile (The New York Times).

  • Kraft’s own philanthropy, by contrast, is well-documented and exceeds $1 billion (New England Patriots).
The paradox

Kraft donates heavily to Democratic-leaning causes like racial justice and health care, yet his largest political gift went to a Republican president. In 2020 he received the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Award for his leadership and advocacy (Human Rights Campaign).

He has served as chairman of the Foundation for Jewish Philanthropies and donated millions to Israeli institutions (The Jerusalem Post).

  • 1941 — Robert Kraft born in Brookline, Massachusetts.
  • 1994 — Purchases New England Patriots for $172 million (Forbes).
  • 2001 — Patriots win first Super Bowl under Kraft ownership.
  • 2022 — Marries Dana Blumberg.

bars Macklemore from Gillette Stadium (ESPN).

“I’m not going to say a whole lot until I get to know the team,” — Robert Kraft, after barring Macklemore from Gillette Stadium (via ESPN)

“I’m not going to say a whole lot until I get to know the team,” — Robert Kraft, after missing Hall of Fame induction (The New York Times)

Robert Kraft’s legacy is a mosaic of business brilliance, political contradictions, and genuine philanthropy.

What is Robert Kraft’s net worth?

$11.1 billion as of 2025, per Forbes.

Dana Blumberg, an ophthalmologist, married in 2022.
Is Robert Kraft a billionaire?

Yes, with an estimated net worth of $11.1 billion.

How did Robert Kraft become owner of the Patriots?

He purchased the team in 1994 for $172 million.