Robert L. Johnson

Robert L. Johnson

Businessman, founder of the telecommunications company Black Entertainment Television.
Date of Birth: 08.04.1946
Country: USA

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Foundation of Black Entertainment Television
  3. Sale of BET and Personal Life
  4. Continued Business Success

Early Life and Education

Robert Johnson, born on April 8, 1946, is an American businessman and the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET). He grew up in Freeport, Illinois, where he graduated from Freeport High School in 1964.

Johnson went on to earn his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Illinois in 1968, where he also served as chapter president of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. In 1972, he completed a master's degree in international relations from Princeton University.

Foundation of Black Entertainment Television

In 1979, Johnson established BET, the first cable television network targeted towards African American audiences. It launched in 1980, initially broadcasting for only two hours a week. Within 11 years, BET became the first publicly traded company under the leadership of a Black president.

Sale of BET and Personal Life

In 1999, Johnson sold 63% of BET to Viacom for $3 billion. Following the sale, he went through a divorce, with his wife Sheila receiving an estimated $1 billion settlement. Johnson remained chairman and CEO of the company for six years after the sale. In 2005, he assumed the role of president and chief operating officer.

Continued Business Success

In 2007, BET's cable network reach extended to nearly all households in the United States, with approximately 65 million subscribers. Alongside his work with BET, Johnson holds leadership positions with the Hilton Hotels Corporation.

Johnson is happily married and has two children, a daughter named Paige and a son named Brett. His net worth was estimated at $1 billion in 2008.

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