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Michael Bloomberg

Michael Bloomberg is an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist best known as the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg L.P.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Michael Bloomberg is an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist best known as the founder and majority owner of Bloomberg L.P. and as the 109th mayor of New York City, serving from 2002 to 2013. He is also known for his philanthropic work through Bloomberg Philanthropies and for running for the Democratic nomination for president in 2020. Bloomberg is relevant to Canadian readers through Bloomberg L.P.’s global financial news and data services, as well as his philanthropy and influence on North American business, politics, and public health policy.

Early life and education

Bloomberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts on February 14, 1942, and raised in Medford, Massachusetts. He attended Johns Hopkins University and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Business career

Bloomberg began his career at Salomon Brothers before co-founding Bloomberg L.P., a financial data and media company that became highly influential in global markets. He served as its CEO from 1981 to 2001, and again from 2014 to 2023, remaining closely associated with the company throughout his career.

Mayor of New York City

Bloomberg served as mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013, winning three terms. His administration focused on public health regulation, crime reduction, transportation, education reform, and fiscal management. He was associated with policies on public health, transportation, education, and urban development during his mayoralty.

Politics and public life

Bloomberg has been affiliated at different times with the Republican Party, as an independent, and later the Democratic Party. He ran for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 2020 but did not win the nomination.

Philanthropy

Through Bloomberg Philanthropies, he has funded initiatives in public health, climate policy, education, and the arts. His charitable giving has made him one of the most prominent billionaire philanthropists in the United States, donating billions of dollars to charitable causes.

Key facts

  • Bloomberg co-founded Bloomberg L.P. and served as its CEO from 1981 to 2001 and again from 2014 to 2023.
  • He was elected mayor of New York City in 2001 and served three terms until 2013.
  • During his mayoralty, he was associated with policies on public health, transportation, education, and urban development.
  • He ran for the Democratic nomination for president of the United States in 2020.
  • Bloomberg founded Bloomberg Philanthropies and has donated billions of dollars to charitable causes.
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Canadian context

Bloomberg is relevant to Canadian readers through Bloomberg L.P.’s global financial news and data services, as well as his philanthropy and influence on North American business, politics, and public health policy.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Michael Bloomberg?
He is an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist best known for founding Bloomberg L.P. and serving as mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013.
What company did Michael Bloomberg found?
He co-founded Bloomberg L.P., a financial information and media company.
When was Michael Bloomberg mayor of New York City?
He served as mayor from 2002 to 2013.
Did Michael Bloomberg run for president?
Yes. He ran for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 U.S. presidential election.
What is Bloomberg Philanthropies?
It is the philanthropic organisation associated with Bloomberg, supporting causes such as public health, education, climate policy, and the arts.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/money/Michael-Bloomberg
    Supports: Birth date and place, business career, and mayoralty of New York City.
  2. Bloomberg Philanthropieshttps://www.bloomberg.org/team/michael-bloomberg/
    Supports: Founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies, mayoral service, education, philanthropy, and awards.
  3. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bloomberg
    Supports: Basic biographical details, mayoral terms, business roles, and 2020 presidential campaign.
  4. CNNhttps://www.cnn.com/us/michael-bloomberg-fast-facts
    Supports: Mayoral tenure, party affiliation changes, and public policy priorities.
  5. Harvard Business Schoolhttps://www.hbs.edu/entrepreneurship/founders-investors/michael-bloomberg
    Supports: Education, business career, and mayoral service.