Directory / KKR
KKR
Pioneer of the leveraged buyout, investing globally across private equity, credit, and infrastructure.
Key facts
- Website
- kkr.com
- Founded
- 1976
- Pricing
- Typical mega-fund structure: ~2% annual management fee plus 20% carried interest on profits above a hurdle rate
- Country
- United States
- Rating
- No reviews yet
About KKR
KKR is a pioneer of the leveraged buyout, founded in 1976 by Jerome Kohlberg Jr. and cousins Henry Kravis and George Roberts after they worked together at Bear Stearns. The firm built its reputation with landmark deals such as the 1979 Houdaille Industries buyout and the record-setting $31.1 billion RJR Nabisco acquisition in 1989, and has since completed more than $400 billion in private equity transactions across private equity, credit, and infrastructure globally.
Key features
- $758 billion AUM (March 2026)
- Pioneer of the leveraged buyout (RJR Nabisco, 1989)
- Insurance arm via Global Atlantic
- Focus on tech, healthcare, energy, consumer, infrastructure
- Notable deals: TXU Energy, HCA, Toys "R" Us
Pros & cons
Pros
- Decades-long track record across market cycles
- Broad platform spanning credit, infrastructure, and insurance
- Strong global deal sourcing network
Cons
- Focus on very large transactions limits smaller deal access
- Complex capital structures can extend deal timelines
- High-profile buyouts draw regulatory and public attention
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with KKR.
Frequently Asked Questions About KKR
When was KKR founded and by whom?
KKR was founded in 1976 by Jerome Kohlberg Jr. and cousins Henry Kravis and George R. Roberts, who had previously worked together completing early leveraged buyouts at Bear Stearns.
What was KKR's most famous early deal?
KKR's 1989 buyout of RJR Nabisco, valued at $31.1 billion including assumed debt, was at the time by far the largest leveraged buyout in history.
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