Herb Kohl (1935–2023,) fully Herbert Hiken Kohl, was an American businessman, philanthropist, author, and long-serving U.S. Senator from Wisconsin. Best known publicly for his ownership of the Milwaukee Bucks and his four terms in the Senate, he also built a parallel career as a writer and advocate for public education, civic responsibility, and community investment.
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kohl earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin—Madison before completing an MBA at Harvard Business School. He began his career in business, helping expand his family’s enterprise, Kohl’s grocery and department stores, eventually serving as president of Kohl’s Corporation. His early professional years also included real-estate ventures and philanthropic work through the Herb Kohl Foundation, which later inspired writings such as Giving Back: A Life of Service (2005.) His transition into politics culminated in his election to the U.S. Senate in 1988, where he became known for his low-key style, fiscal caution, and focus on education, agriculture, and consumer protection.
Kohl’s public image was further shaped by his stewardship of the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA basketball franchise he purchased in 1985 to ensure it remained in Wisconsin.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Herb Kohl
Bankruptcy is a serious decision that people have to make.
—Herb Kohl
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