Meet Robert F. Smith, the billionaire who paid off an entire class’ student loans and reportedly will now pay $140 million to settle a four-year investigation into his taxes

Meet Robert F. Smith, the billionaire who paid off an entire class’ student loans and reportedly will now pay $140 million to settle a four-year investigation into his taxes

Robert F. Smith is a billionaire tech investor and philanthropist who founded and serves as CEO of Vista Equity Partners.

Smith was the target of a four-year investigation into his personal taxes that ended when the billionaire agreed to pay $140 million in back taxes, penalties, and interest.

Smith made headlines in May 2019 when he announced during his commencement address at Morehouse College that he would pay off the student debt of the entire graduating class.

Months later, he extended the $34 million gift to include the debt owed by the students' parents as well, per a Morehouse press release.

Smith, the richest Black man in America, is worth $7.05