May 29, 2025

Barton Biggs: More than money

Barton Biggs

Our fourth story this week about Barton Biggs.
Biggs was a centi-millionaire with a rich life beyond the markets.

As we saw earlier this week, Biggs managed billions of dollars and probably made a fortune worth hundreds of millions for himself and his family. Yet, his life was never just about money.

Biggs was a compulsive reader and author during his entire life. He played a ferocious game of tennis, served as a captain in the United States Marine Corps, travelled widely, and worked out at the gym almost daily.

He wrote weekly research notes for clients that were treasured by Wall Street (and later published) due to Biggs' offbeat sense of humor, provocative ideas, and unusual willingness to admit mistakes.

Biggs was progressive about issues of political economy. In 2011 comments that are still very relevant this week, he said part of the solution to the huge U.S. government's deficit is that rich people and corporations must pay more taxes.

"Everybody has got to pay a share, including the jet owners," he said.

When Biggs' death came, it was sudden and unexpected. It was caused by a staph infection after a hip replacement. He was survived by a son, two daughters, and nine grandchildren.

Barton Biggs lived from 1932 to 2012.

If you have missed any of this week's newsletters about Barton Biggs, you can catch up on them here. Watch for tomorrow's newsletter, where we look at Biggs' books.

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