Lionel Pincus, Warburg Pincus founder, dies

Lionel Pincus, founder and chairman of New York-based private equity firm Warburg Pincus, has died, according to a spokesman for his longtime partner, Princess Firyal of Jordan. He was 78.
OCT 12, 2009
By  Bloomberg
Lionel Pincus, founder and chairman of New York-based private equity firm Warburg Pincus, has died, according to a spokesman for his longtime partner, Princess Firyal of Jordan. He was 78. Pincus died around midnight Saturday in his Manhattan home after a long illness, the spokesman said. Pincus founded Warburg Pincus in 1966. Since then the firm has invested more than $29 billion in more than 600 companies. It holds stakes in a variety of companies including Fidelity National Information Services Inc., which processes financial transactions; Nuance Communications Inc., which makes speech recognition software; educational company Bridgepoint Education Inc., and drug developer Inspire Pharmaceuticals Inc. Before founding Warburg Pincus, he was a partner of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. He was also a founding director of the National Venture Capital Association and is Chair Emeritus of the Trustees of Columbia University and a member of the Columbia Business School Board of Overseers. He was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and held an M.B.A. from the Columbia University Graduate School of Business. Warburg Pincus Co-Presidents Charles R. Kaye and Joseph P. Landy said in a statement Sunday that Lionel Pincus was a committed steward to the firm's success. "We are deeply saddened by the death of our founder and retired chairman, Lionel Pincus," Kaye and Landy wrote. "For those of us who knew and had the good fortune to work with Lionel, we witnessed first hand how he helped to create and shape the modern venture capital and private equity industry. His legacy lives on in the values and investment principles of our firm. We will all remember Lionel with great admiration and appreciation." He is survived by his sons Henry and Matthew as well as Princess Firyal.

Latest News

'Bogged down' advisors just want to have fun (again)
'Bogged down' advisors just want to have fun (again)

Jim Cahn, of Wealth Enhancement Group, lifts the lid on his firm's partnership model, his views on RIA M&A, and the widely slept-on reason why advisors are merging into larger organizations.

Vestwell unveils new emergency savings account offering
Vestwell unveils new emergency savings account offering

The fintech firm is cementing its status in the workplace savings space with its latest ESA offering, which employers can integrate into their existing benefits package.

'Money Mimosas' and other ways to show your Valentine financial love
'Money Mimosas' and other ways to show your Valentine financial love

Wealth managers offer unique ideas for couples to grow closer emotionally and financially.

Limra research finds financial confidence on the rise among Black American workers
Limra research finds financial confidence on the rise among Black American workers

Survey findings suggest increased sense of financial security and more optimistic 2025 outlook, while highlighting employers' role in ensuring retirement readiness.

DOGE efforts sideswipe muni bonds backed by federal lease payments
DOGE efforts sideswipe muni bonds backed by federal lease payments

Falling prices for some securities within the $4 trillion state and local government debt market spotlight how the push to shrink spending is sending shockwaves across the US.

SPONSORED Record growth: Interval funds emerge as key players in alternative investments

Blue Vault Alts Summit highlights the role of liquidity-focused funds in reshaping advisor strategies

SPONSORED Taylor Matthews on what's behind Farther's rapid growth

From 'no clients' to reshaping wealth management, Farther blends tech and trust to deliver family-office experience at scale.