Background
Joe Allbritton was born on December 29, 1924 in D."Lo, Mississippi, the sixth of seven children. His family soon relocated to Houston, Texas, where his father owned a small business.
diversified holding company executive
Joe Allbritton was born on December 29, 1924 in D."Lo, Mississippi, the sixth of seven children. His family soon relocated to Houston, Texas, where his father owned a small business.
Bachelor of Laws, Baylor University, 1949. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Baylor University, 1964. Juris Doctor, Baylor University, 1969.
Doctor of Humane Letters, California Baptist College, 1973.
Allbritton served in the United States Navy during World World War World War II
After naval service and law school, he borrowed $5,000 to buy land outside Houston, which was later used in the construction of a freeway connecting Houston and Galveston, earning Allbritton a small fortune. He also chaired Houston International Bank, Houston Citizens Bank and University Bankshares. In 1975, he purchased The Washington Star along with its television station and smaller stations in the south.
In 1978, he was forced to divest the newspaper.
From 1981 to 2001, he was chairman of Riggs Bank, when he resigned, due to Prostate cancer. Organizations they donated to including the Baylor College of Medicine, the Allbritton Art Institute, the Oxford Scholars, and the establishment of the International School of Law, which has become the George Mason University School of Law.
He sat on the boards of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, to which he donated the official White House portrait of President Reagan. He contribution to Washington National Cathedral, where he was made a Lay canon.
In 2011 he attended the Wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton in London.
Allbritton also made a name for himself in thoroughbred horse racing. He died on December 12, 2012, aged 87, of heart trouble, in Houston, Texas.
Trustee Federal City Council, Washington, 1975-1902, John F. Kennedy Center Performing Arts, Washington, 1985-1990, National Geography Society, 1986-1999, trustee emeritus, since 1999. Trustee The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, Los Angeles, since 1990, George Bush Presidential Foundation, College Station, Texas, since 1993. Board directors National Fund for United States Botanical Garden, 1992-1995, The Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation, 1989-1901, Georgetown University, Washington, 1990-1996.
With United States Navy, 1943-1946. Member of State Bar Texas.
Married Barbara Jean Balfanz, February 23, 1967. 1 son, Robert Lewis.