Early Life & Background
Tom Hicks (full name Thomas Ollis Hicks Sr.) was born on February 7, 1946 in Port Arthur, Texas, USA.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin and later completed an MBA from the University of Southern California.
Hicks carved out a career in finance and investing, co-founding the private-equity firm Hicks & Haas in 1984 and later Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst in 1989.
Net Worth & Business Career
At the peak of his wealth, Hicks was widely regarded as a billionaire. One estimate put his fortune at US $1.3 billion in 2008.
However, a debt-laden sports empire dramatically eroded that wealth. By 2010, his net worth was estimated to have fallen to around US $700 million.
Much of the decline was due to large debts tied to his ownership of multiple sports franchises — when those assets were sold off to satisfy creditors, much of the value appreciation went to lenders rather than to Hicks himself.
Sports & Dallas Connections
Although not an “athlete” in terms of playing professionally, Hicks was a major name in sports — as an owner.
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He bought the NHL team Dallas Stars in 1995 (for about US $84 million), under whose ownership the team won the Stanley Cup in 1999.
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In 1998, he acquired the MLB franchise Texas Rangers (purchase price roughly US $250 million).
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Expanding internationally, he — along with a partner — acquired a 50% stake in the Premier League soccer club Liverpool F.C. in 2007.
Under Hicks, the Rangers attained three American League West Division titles and reached a World Series appearance.
Despite success, financial and debt pressures around these sports ventures eventually forced him to sell the teams, which contributed to the collapse of his sports-asset empire.
Beyond sports, Hicks engaged in broader private equity and corporate investment deals.
Family & Personal Life
Tom Hicks was married to Cinda Cree Hicks for 35 years.
He is survived by six children: Thomas Ollis Hicks Jr., Mack Hardin Hicks, John Alexander Hicks, Robert Bradley Hicks, William Cree Hicks and Catherine Forgrave Hicks.
In recent statements, his family described him as a devoted father: “Of everything he accomplished … his most cherished title was, ‘Dad.’ … He remains a guiding force for our family.”
Death & Cause of Death
Tom Hicks died on December 6, 2025, in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 79.
According to his spokesperson, Hicks died peacefully at home, surrounded by family.
No public announcement has detailed a specific illness or condition as the cause of death; the official statement only mentions that he passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.
Legacy & Impact
Tom Hicks’ life is a portrait of ambition, risk-taking, and the volatile intersection of business, sports, and finance. On one hand, he reshaped the private equity landscape and built a diversified business empire. On the other, his aggressive acquisitions — especially in sports — illustrate how debt and financial over-leverage can unravel even the greatest successes.
His passing was met with tributes across the business and sports worlds. Among them, Jerry Jones — owner of the Dallas Cowboys — remarked that: “Being shoulder to shoulder with him was always about more than ballparks and stadiums…” underscoring the personal respect he commanded.
Though his financial fortunes saw dramatic decline, Hicks’ impact — on sports franchises, corporate deals, and the shape of private equity investing — leaves a lasting imprint on the industries he touched.
