Mark Walter

Walter grew up in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. His father, Ed, worked at a local concrete block manufacturing plant. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School in 1978. Walter attended Creighton University, where he studied accounting and graduated with a bachelor's degree in business in 1982. He graduated from Northwestern University School of Law in 1985. == Career ==

In 1996, Walter, Tom Irvin, and Steven E. Johnson co-founded the Liberty Hampshire Company. In 1999, he helped found Guggenheim Partners with assistance from Guggenheim family heir Peter Lawson-Johnson II; he now serves as its CEO. Through his work at Guggenheim, he got to know future investment partner Todd Boehly, who spent 14 years with the firm. In May 2024, Walter co-founded TWG Global He is the controlling shareholder of Delaware Life Holdings, LLC, and serves on the board of EquiTrust Life. Walter has a personal stake in Beyond Meat. In 2021, it was reported that Walter had purchased numerous commercial and historic buildings in Crested Butte, Colorado, where his family frequently takes vacations. In September 2025, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated that he had a net worth of $13.3 billion. == Sports investments ==

Walter uses sports to advertise his insurance companies, particularly TWG Global subsidiary Gainbridge, headquartered in Zionsville, Indiana. It has sponsored racing team Andretti Global since 2018 and the Indianapolis 500. It also signed Fever basketball player Caitlin Clark as a brand ambassador in 2024. Los Angeles Dodgers Walter owns 27% of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team. using cash from Guggenheim's investments in insurance and annuities. Walter and his partner investors provided collateral to the insurers, including Dodgers shares, Walter's stake in Carvana, and various Wendy's hamburger franchises. His personal contribution was reportedly $100 million, with Guggenheim Partners-related businesses contributing another $1.213 billion. The precise amount from insurance companies has been disputed, with The Wall Street Journal estimating a contribution of "at least $300 million" Guggenheim's investments in sports have been questioned by industry commentators as riskier investments than insurance. After insurers reportedly contributed at least $300 million to the Dodgers' bid, government regulators investigated the arrangement but declined to take further action. the team became baseball's "most perennially competitive team" and won the World Series in 2020, 2024 and 2025. Less than a year after Guggenheim bought the team, the Dodgers signed a television deal that increased their payroll. In 2014, Walter joined David Geffen, Oprah Winfrey, and Larry Ellison's unsuccessful bid for the Los Angeles Clippers, which eventually went to Steve Ballmer. He has credited Johnson with giving him the idea to "save the Sparks" and to keep them in Los Angeles. Walter had previously led a consortium that bid for Anschutz Entertainment Group, though Anschutz ultimately decided to keep the company. European football Walter owns 12.7% of BlueCo, but does not play an active role in day-to-day operations. The purchase ended the PWHPA's boycott of the PHF, which the PWHPA was pressuring to invest more in the sport. Walter invested in the league which began play in 2024. The Mark Walter Group owns the inaugural six teams. The league's championship trophy is named after Walter and his wife. ==Personal life==

Walter is married to Kimbra Walter, an attorney. She attended Northwestern University and Southern Methodist University Law School. They have a daughter and live in the Lincoln Park neighborhood of Chicago. In 2011, Walter made a $30,800 contribution to the Democratic National Committee, as well as a $5,000 contribution to Obama for America. Creighton University, Northwestern University, and the Field Museum. His wife is a trustee of the Lincoln Park Zoo. Mark and Kimbra Walter invest together in numerous philanthropic causes, including the White Oak Conservation. In 2014, Walter contributed $40 million to the Northwestern University School of Law (now the Pritzker School of Law), from where he had earned his Juris Doctor degree, Walter leads the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, which is committed to promoting education and health in the greater Los Angeles community. He donated $50 million at the start of the 2024 season and an additional $50 million when the Dodgers qualified for the World Series. In October 2024, Walter was awarded the Billie Jean King Leadership Award by the Women's Sports Foundation for his role in starting the PWHL and pledging $5.5 million to the foundation. In 2025, he became a leader of LA Rises, a fundraising group assigned by California Governor Gavin Newsom to support rebuilding after the area's wildfires early in the year, and organized the first $100 million donation. ==References==