Photo: Scott Halleran / Getty Images

Jim Crane's Estimated Net Worth: $2.0 billion

The Houston Astros won the 2017 World Series, making their owner, Jim Crane, a very proud man. Although he started small, today, Jim Crane’s net worth is over $2.0 billion. Find out how he amassed his enormous fortune right here.

Jim Crane is busy with real estate and restaurant ventures, in addition to running the main companies that made him one of the richest men in America. He married his third wife earlier in 2017 and is the proud father of three children. The future looks very bright for this daring entrepreneur from Houston, Texas.

People are curious about Jim Crane’s net worth. So, how rich is Jim Crane? Keep reading to know all about Jim Crane’s assets and properties right here.

Jim Crane Is a Very Happy Man!

The Houston Astros just won the 2017 World Series for the first time. They made their city proud, but nobody is prouder than owner and chairman, Jim Crane. With wild celebrations all around the city and the state of Texas, the spotlight has now fallen on the businessman.

He is the chairman and chief executive of Crane Capital Group, the company that holds majority shares in Champion Energy, Crane Worldwide Logistics, and Crane Cartage Freight Service.

Crane Gives Back

Jim Crane grew up in the suburb of Dellwood, St. Louis. He studied at Lutheran High School North where he graduated from in 1972. He gave the school a donation of $1.0 million in 2004 so that they could improve their athletic facilities and increase the size of their campus from 40 to 67 acres.

He then earned a degree in industrial safety from Central Missouri State University. He gave back to his alma mater in 1998 and became the largest donor with a $1.2 million upgrade of CMSU’s baseball stadium. It has since been renamed James R. Crane Stadium.

A Small Start

In March 1984, Crane got into business. He borrowed $10,000 from his sister and started an air freight logistics business, Eagle USA Airfreight, which later became EGL, Inc. The company moved into supply chain management and information services and later merged with England’s CEVA Logistics.

After taking his share of the profits, Crane founded Crane Capital Group. He also became the director and shareholder of Western Gas Holdings, LLC.

Thanks to his interest in golf, Crane is also the owner of The Floridian National Golf Club, which he purchased in April 2010.

Crane’s Restaurant Businesses

In 2011, he purchased the Houston Astros for a reported $680.0 million. This paid off big-time when the team won the 2017 World Series by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 7.

In January 2017, Jim Crane’s restaurants, Osso & Kristalla, opened in downtown Houston. Along with Potente, they are the Italian translation of his children’s names. Osso & Kristalla is a soft, rustic space. The restaurant has neutral aesthetics with a casual outdoor patio.

Checking out a new spot during restaurant week @ossokristalla ??

A post shared by Ken (@kenunyc) on

Meanwhile, Potente brings back memories of a luxurious Italian villa. It features a roomy bar, elegant main dining space, and a special chef’s table in the wine room.

Don't let the rain keep you in, we're ready for you! #Rainraingoaway #PotenteHouston

A post shared by Potente (@potentehouston) on

Crane plans to keep a sharp eye on the two restaurants and said, “Hey, I’m right here and I’ll walk over there for lunch. If something’s not right, I’ll see it.”

Real Estate Ventures

Thanks to his flourishing businesses, Jim Crane’s net worth is a whopping $2.0 billion and growing. He is expected to make even more money when his ventures take off as he is currently in a real estate overhaul of sorts.

Crane sold a six-bedroom home in Pebble Beach for $12.5 million and a four-bedroom home in Colorado for $900,000. And, that’s not all. Jim Crane’s house in Pebble Beach featuring eight-bedrooms designed by architect Germano Milono is on the market for $29.9 million.

Crane’s Personal Life

While Crane’s businesses have flourished over the years, his personal life has not been smooth. He has been married three times with his first two marriages ending in divorce.

Jim Crane’s wife’s name is Whitney Wheeler. They got married on Memorial Day weekend 2017, in an expensive ceremony at Crane’s Floridian National Golf Club.

The couple has a son together, James Robert Crane II. Crane also has two children from his first wife, Jared Crane and Krystal Thompson.

Before his third marriage, Crane divorced his second wife, Franci Neely, and finalized a $30.0 million settlement. The settlement did not affect Houston Astros’ finances but included the transfer of other assets.

The Tireless Entrepreneur

Crane is not just about making money. He has renovated 23 Houston baseball parks so that more kids have a chance to play the game that he loves so much.

Despite having so much money, Crane is not willing to relax. He intends to grow and expand his businesses in the coming years. The man, who as a teenager, ran a jackhammer all day and loaded trucks all night, working 16-hour days to earn enough to buy a car, has clearly come a long way. Now with his team winning the 2017 World Series, Jim Crane is a man on fire!

Also Read: Houston Astros’ World Series Parade 2017: Time, Channel, Route, & Facts to Know