U.S. hedge-fund pioneer Julian Robertson developed a deep affection for New Zealand after taking a sabbatical there with his family in 1978. He subsequently developed a few real-estate properties, and owns personal retreats in the country. He has also expressed his attachment through a series of philanthropic gifts. In 2009 Robertson pledged to the Auckland Art Gallery 15 modern artworks by Cezanne, Matisse, Mondrian, Picasso, and others, valued at more than $100 million—the largest gift ever made to an art gallery in Asia or Australia. In 2012 he made a $12 million gift to the Rhodes Scholarship program to add three annual awards for students from New Zealand. And, in 2012, he gave $5.3 million to create the New Zealand Antarctic Research Institute.
Robertson Adopts New Zealand
- Overseas
- 2009