Jeff Greene is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire real estate entrepreneur and investor. Born in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1954, to a working-class Jewish family, his career is defined by hustle and contrarian finance. His family moved to Florida in 1970 after his father lost his textile business, forcing his father to refill vending machines and his mother to work as a waitress.

Greene worked many jobs, relied on scholarships and loans, and taught Hebrew to put himself through Johns Hopkins University (graduating in three years with a B.A. in economics and sociology) and Harvard Business School (MBA in 1977). He sold circus tickets to pay his way through Harvard and bought his first property (a three-family house) during his studies, accumulating 18 properties by graduation.

• Real Estate Portfolio (Owner): He owns and operates over a hundred buildings and custom homes in Florida and California, specializing in luxury and large residential/commercial projects.
• Financial Aptitude: He made his core fortune by trading credit default swaps in mid-2006, anticipating the collapse of the real estate market (a strategy similar to John Paulson).
• Political Role: He is a member of the Democratic Party and was a candidate in the 2010 U.S. Senate primaries in Florida.
• Academic Background: He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from Johns Hopkins University.

Jeff Greene's strategic genius was his contrarian bet against the real estate market in mid-2006. After meeting with fellow investor John Paulson, Greene engaged in a series of unconventional investments trading credit default swaps. The return on these investments saved his business and propelled him onto the Forbes 400 list. His real estate development strategy focuses on high-end construction and restoration (e.g., the 100 Vandam luxury tower in Manhattan, which incorporated NYC's first power plant).

His current focus is on monumental projects in Florida, such as One West Palm (two 30-story towers, the tallest structures in Palm Beach County), and developing housing in Los Angeles. His political career has been high-profile but controversial. His wealth is secured by the immense liquid gains from his crash bet and the long-term appreciation of his colossal real estate portfolio.

Jeff Greene's social impact is structural, stemming from his development of commercial and residential real estate (e.g., Cameron Estates apartments) that provides essential infrastructure in high-demand urban centers. He is actively addressing the urgent need for housing in Los Angeles.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives. His career is a testament to the profitability of contrarian investment and leveraging market foresight to generate immense wealth, which he now uses for large-scale development projects.

Jeff Greene maintains the polished, composed style of a successful entrepreneur. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and confident authority, fitting his background as a Wall Street trader and major real estate developer.

Residing in Palm Beach, Florida, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to real estate development, investment strategy, and political advocacy.