Tony Ressler built a multi-billion-dollar financial empire by co-founding two titan alternative asset management firms: Apollo Global Management and Ares Management. Born in Washington, D.C., Ressler has spent decades shaping modern private equity, corporate credit, and professional sports ownership through his control of the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. Understanding his biography means looking past the headlines to examine the exact milestones, family foundations, and business strategies that forged his lasting Wall Street legacy.
Early Life and Educational Background
Antony P. Ressler was born on October 12, 1960, growing up in Washington, D.C., as one of five children born to Dorothy and Ira Ressler. His father worked as an attorney and served as a veteran of World War II, instilling a disciplined work ethic early on.
For higher education, Ressler attended Georgetown University, earning his Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service (BSFS) from the Walsh School of Foreign Service in 1982. He then pursued advanced business training in New York, graduating with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School. These academic credentials laid the groundwork for his entry into high-stakes corporate finance during the 1980s.
Wall Street Origins and Apollo Global Management
Ressler started his career on Wall Street during a period of massive transformation in corporate finance. He worked at Drexel Burnham Lambert, the investment bank famous for pioneering high-yield bonds under Michael Milken. Working in this high-pressure environment exposed him to complex capital structures and corporate restructuring.
When Drexel collapsed in 1990, Ressler teamed up with former colleagues, including Leon Black and John Hannan, to launch Apollo Global Management. Apollo quickly established itself as a dominant force in distressed debt, private equity, and corporate turnaround investments. During his tenure at Apollo, Ressler helped build the firm into a premier alternative asset manager, sharpening his expertise in identifying undervalued assets and managing institutional capital.
Founding and Scaling Ares Management
After seven years at Apollo, Ressler left to launch a new venture. In 1997, he co-founded Ares Management alongside a team that included Bennett Rosenthal and David Kaplan. Named after the Greek god of war, Ares started with a core focus on leveraged finance and corporate credit before expanding aggressively into private equity and real estate.
Ares carved out a distinct niche by providing flexible capital solutions to middle-market companies that traditional commercial banks often ignored. Under Ressler's leadership as CEO for the firm's first two decades, Ares scaled into a global alternative investment powerhouse. In December 2017, Ressler stepped down from his day-to-day role as Chief Executive Officer and transitioned into the position of Executive Chairman, continuing to guide the firm's long-term strategic vision while managing billions in global assets.
Family Life and Marriage to Jami Gertz
Away from the trading floors and boardrooms, Ressler's personal life is closely tied to philanthropy and the entertainment industry. On June 16, 1989, he married award-winning actress Jami Gertz, known for her roles in films like The Lost Boys and Twister. The couple resides primarily in the Los Angeles area and shares four children: a daughter and three sons (Oliver, Nicholas, and Theo).
The Ressler-Gertz family maintains a significant presence in Los Angeles civic life. Through the Ressler Gertz Family Foundation, they direct substantial capital toward the arts, higher education, healthcare, and Jewish community organizations. Their philanthropic footprint also includes founding the Gertz-Ressler High Academy, part of the Alliance College-Ready Public Schools network designed to improve educational outcomes in underserved Los Angeles neighborhoods. Furthermore, Ressler has close familial ties across Wall Street and Hollywood; his sister Debra Ressler is a prominent Broadway producer who is married to Apollo co-founder Leon Black, and his brother Richard Ressler manages CIM Group.
Professional Sports Ownership
Beyond private equity, Ressler made major waves in professional sports. In 2005, he joined an investment group led by Mark Attanasio to acquire a minority stake in Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers.
A decade later, Ressler shifted from a minority partner to a controlling principal owner. In June 2015, he led an investor group—which included former NBA star Grant Hill and Spanx founder Sara Blakely—to acquire the Atlanta Hawks basketball franchise for a reported $730 million. As the principal owner and governor of the franchise, Ressler focuses on building a sustainable winning culture, modernizing fan experiences at State Farm Arena, and deepening community engagement through the Hawks Foundation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tony Ressler's net worth?
Financial publications estimate Tony Ressler's net worth to be between $10.5 billion and $12 billion. His wealth stems primarily from his founding equity stakes and ongoing leadership in Ares Management, alongside his valuable real estate holdings and ownership of the Atlanta Hawks.
When was Ares Management founded?
Ares Management was co-founded in 1997 by Tony Ressler and a group of financial executives after Ressler departed from Apollo Global Management.
Does Tony Ressler still run Ares Management on a daily basis?
No. While Ressler served as CEO for the first twenty years, he stepped down from the chief executive role in December 2017. He currently serves as the Executive Chairman of Ares Management, overseeing high-level governance and long-term strategy.
How did Tony Ressler get involved with the Atlanta Hawks?
In June 2015, Ressler assembled an ownership group that purchased the NBA franchise for $730 million. He serves as the team's principal owner and chairman of the board of advisors.
