David Bonderman
David Bonderman, often known as "Bondo," was the Founder of private equity leader TPG and Co-Owner of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken. He was widely regarded as a pioneer in global private equity, as well as a respected legal scholar, tech investor, and philanthropist whose work helped shape modern finance and business. Throughout his career at TPG, Bonderman became known for innovative thinking that placed him at the center of major industry transformations. He played key roles in restructuring the airline and banking sectors and made early, influential investments in technology and healthcare that helped define future market trends. Over several decades, he served on the boards of more than 80 global companies, driving strategic change and guiding complex business turnarounds. Before founding TPG, Bonderman served as Chief Operating Officer of the Robert M. Bass Group. During his time there, he developed a reputation for pursuing bold, high-impact deals and leading difficult restructurings that delivered long-term value. A trailblazer in private equity and one of the most influential business leaders of his generation, Bonderman left a lasting legacy on industry, innovation, and philanthropy. He passed away in December 2021 at the age of 82.
David Bonderman Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Chairman and Founding Partner
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Fellow in Foreign and Comparative Law
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Assistant Professor
Academic History
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J.D., Member of Harvard Law Review and Sheldon Fellow
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B.A., Russian Studies
Bonderman met his longtime business partner Jim Coulter while working for billionaire investor Robert Bass, and the two left in 1992 to establish TPG.
Their early success included a landmark 66 million dollar investment in Continental Airlines that ultimately returned a tenfold profit and helped define TPG’s differentiated approach to value creation.
Bonderman played a central role in many of the firm’s most notable turnaround investments, including Ducati Motor Holdings, Armstrong World Industries, Burger King Holdings, and Seagate Technology.
Under his leadership, TPG grew from a three-person investing office into a publicly traded global powerhouse with a market value exceeding 24 billion dollars.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Bonderman successfully represented Raymond Dirks before the U.S. Supreme Court in Dirks v. SEC, one of the most pivotal insider trading cases in American legal history.
He became widely recognized as an influential leader in the business community and served on more than 80 corporate boards throughout his career.
His board and investment involvement spanned major companies and industries, including Continental Airlines, Ryanair, General Motors, Ducati, Kite Pharma, Oxford Health, MGM, Univision, Korea First Bank, and Fairmont Raffles.
EARLY CAREER
Bonderman began his professional career as an Assistant Professor at Tulane University School of Law before moving to Washington, D.C.
He served as a Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney General in the Civil Rights Division during the administration of President Lyndon Johnson, where he successfully litigated landmark cases addressing racial discrimination in the South.
He later joined the law firm Arnold and Porter, specializing in antitrust, securities law, corporate law, bankruptcy, and historic preservation.
PHILANTHROPY
Bonderman was deeply committed to environmental conservation and humanitarian work, serving on the boards of The Wilderness Society, the World Wildlife Fund, the American Himalayan Foundation, and the Grand Canyon Trust.
His support was both financial and personal, and he regularly engaged with the organizations he championed.
He was also passionate about music and sports and served on the Board of Directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where he was a major supporter of its programs and initiatives.