Bill Alfond is an American billionaire and philanthropist whose immense wealth is rooted in a single, legendary investment by his family. He is the son of the late Harold Alfond, a self-made entrepreneur who founded the Dexter Shoe Company in Maine in 1958. Bill was born into a Jewish family in 1949 and grew up immersed in the world of American shoe manufacturing and the New England work ethic.

His family’s fortune was secured in 1995 when Harold Alfond sold the Dexter Shoe Company to Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway for $433 million in Berkshire Hathaway stock. The crucial element of this deal was that it was paid in stock, not cash, allowing the value to appreciate exponentially over the following decades. Bill inherited his share of this massive, low-cost basis Berkshire Hathaway stock upon his father's death in 2007, which cemented his status as a billionaire and major philanthropic force.

Bill Alfond’s career is defined by his role as a major investor and philanthropic leader, managing the immense inherited capital. Unlike his father, who was the founder, Bill's focus is on the responsible stewardship of the multi-billion dollar asset and its use for social good. He is actively involved as a trustee of The Governor’s Academy (formerly Governor Dummer Academy), where he graduated in 1967, reflecting a commitment to education.

His defining life mission, mirroring his father's spirit, is philanthropic. The Alfond family is one of the most generous in Maine, having committed virtually all of the proceeds from the Berkshire Hathaway stake to the Harold Alfond Foundation. Bill Alfond is a key figure in guiding this foundation, ensuring its focus on education, health, and community causes continues his father’s legacy of giving back to the state of Maine.

Bill Alfond’s social impact is immense, structural, and focused almost entirely on the state of Maine. His father’s philosophy was to continue giving until 'at least 10 years after I'm dead.' The Harold Alfond Foundation is responsible for millions of dollars in grants, including paying school tuitions for children of employees and friends.

The foundation’s grants support numerous initiatives in education (including college endowments) and sports facilities, which reflect the family's values of hard work and community spirit. The family's decision to channel their wealth through the foundation ensures a long-term, structural social contribution to their home state.

Bill Alfond maintains the refined, conservative style of a New England philanthropist and major investor. His attire is consistently polished, favoring classic American menswear and an unostentatious aesthetic, reflecting the grounded values of the Alfond family.

Residing in Boston, Massachusetts, his luxury is the financial security and long-term stability provided by the appreciation of the Berkshire Hathaway stock. His life is defined by the stewardship of this massive investment and his dedication to high-impact philanthropy, continuing his father's legacy of using wealth as a direct tool for community improvement.