Introduction
Harlan Crow, the 73-year-old Dallas real estate tycoon, has long been associated with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, sharing a conservative philosophy and indulging in luxurious vacations together. However, their backgrounds couldn’t be more different. Harlan Crow is the third son of Trammell Crow, a legendary real estate mogul, who made his mark as one of the wealthiest individuals in America. On the other hand, Justice Thomas was born into poverty in Pinpoint, Georgia, and worked his way up to become a prominent figure in the legal world.
A Wealthy Beginning and a Challenging Journey
Harlan Crow grew up in a wealthy family, being the son of Trammell Crow, who secured a place on Forbes’ inaugural list of the 400 richest people in America back in 1982. Trammell Crow’s net worth was estimated at $500 million, a staggering sum during that time. Harlan initially gained a reputation as a carefree rich kid, flunking out of Emory University but later earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. He joined his father’s business in 1974 and took up the responsibility of rescuing the family’s real estate empire after the real estate market crash of the late 1980s.
Justice Clarence Thomas, in stark contrast, was born into a challenging environment in Pinpoint, Georgia. His father, a farmworker, abandoned the family when Thomas was just two years old. Raised by his hardworking and determined mother, Thomas attended Catholic schools and exhibited a strong work ethic. He briefly considered becoming a priest before embarking on a journey that led him to the College of the Holy Cross, Yale Law School, and eventually to serve under presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, culminating in his appointment to the Supreme Court in 1991.
The Intriguing Friendship
The friendship between Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow has garnered significant attention, particularly after investigative news site ProPublica unveiled details about Thomas’ opulent vacations paid for by Crow. ProPublica also discovered that Crow purchased the Savannah home where Thomas grew up, along with two nearby parcels, for $133,363. This transaction was not disclosed by Thomas, raising questions about the appropriateness of such financial dealings. While Thomas argued that he didn’t believe he had to report the trips, he later agreed to amend his 2014 financial disclosure to include the real estate deal. Harlan Crow intends to transform the house into a museum dedicated to Justice Thomas.
Assessing Harlan Crow’s Wealth
Much speculation surrounds Harlan Crow’s net worth, with some sources referring to him as a billionaire. However, he has never appeared on the Forbes Billionaires list. The Crow family’s wealth primarily comes from Crow Holdings, which oversees a vast real estate portfolio valued at $29 billion. It is important to note that a significant portion of this wealth belongs to outside investors. While Harlan Crow and his brothers undoubtedly share a considerable fortune, the exact distribution of their wealth remains unclear.
The Enigmatic Tycoon
Despite his prominence in the real estate world and his association with Justice Thomas, Harlan Crow has remained media-shy. Forbes’ attempt to reach out to him for comment proved unsuccessful.
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