Brownlee O Currey

Bulk of Currey’s wealth stems from the sizeable stake in American Express he received with its 1967 acquisition of Equitable Securities, a company co-founded by his father some 40 years earlier. Currey’s investment portfolio is still weighted with American Express stock, though he has donated or sold chunks over the years to support many philanthropic endeavors (Montgomery Bell Academy’s Currey Gymnasium, Vanderbilt’s Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center, and most recently, the Currey Ingram Academy in Williamson County). Lucrative business dealings include the purchase of the Nashville Banner newspaper from Gannett Co. in 1979. Sold it back to them in 1998, reportedly clearing $25 million. Also a longtime board member of Thomas Nelson Inc., in which he holds a $2.3 million stake. High level tennis player, serves as a trustee of the U.S. Equestrian Team when not watching over his investments or planning his next major charitable gift. Owns the River Circle Farm in Williamson County, so named because the 300-plus-acre property wraps around the Harpeth River. Along with wife Agneta, owns three other homes in Manhattan, Southhampton and the Wellington area of West Palm Beach. The latter two properties have a combined market value of $5 million. Has a son and two daughters: Christian Brownlee Currey, Stephanie Currey Ingram (married to Ingram heir John Ingram) and Frances Currey Briggs.