Herb Kelleher Biography – Herb Kelleher Wiki

Herb Kelleher full name Herbert David Kelleher, was an American businessman, co-founder, CEO, and Chairman Emeritus of Southwest Airlines.

Herb Kelleher received his bachelor’s degree from Wesleyan and his law degree from New York University. He practiced law on the East Coast before relocating to Texas with plans to start his own law firm.

In 1967, Herb Kelleher and client Rollin King incorporated Air Southwest, Inc., with the idea of offering low-fare, intra-Texas airline service. After a name change and many legal battles valiantly fought and won by Herb, Southwest Airlines took to the skies on June 18, 1971.

Herb served as Southwest Airlines Executive Chairman from March 1978 to May 2008 and as President and CEO from September 1981 through June 2001.

Herb Kelleher received numerous awards and honors, including the U. S. Chamber Business Leadership Hall of Fame; CEO of the Year and one of history¹s top three CEOs, Chief Executive magazine; CEO of the Century, Texas Monthly magazine; National Sales and Marketing Hall of Fame; CEO of the Decade-Airline Industry; Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy; Bower Award for Business Leadership, Franklin Institute; Tony Jannus Award; Wings Club Distinguished Achievement Award; San Diego Aerospace Hall of Fame; L. Welch Pogue Award for Lifetime Achievement in Aviation, Aviation Week; Airline Business Award, Airline Business magazine; History Making Texan Award; the Business Halls of Fame of the State of Texas, the University of Texas, Texas A&M, and the City of Dallas; the Herbert D. Kelleher Servant Leader Scholarship, named in Herb¹s honor by the Austin Business Travel Association; induction into the Texas Labor Management Hall of Fame; Transportation Research Forum President¹s Award; induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame; induction into the Paul E. Garber First Flight Shrine, Wright Brothers National Memorial; recipient of the Department of Homeland Security Distinguished Public Service Medal; an honorary lifetime member of the Transport Workers Union; recipient of full page USA Today “Thank You Herb!” ad from Southwest¹s Pilots union; inducted into the AAF Tenth District Southwest Advertising Hall of Fame; the Joseph T. Nall Safety Award, NTSB Bar Association; the Murphy Award for Lifetime Achievement, University of North Texas; Ronald McDonald House Charities Award of Excellence; inducted into the Advertising Hall of Fame, and, was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame and the Entrepreneurs For North Texas’ Ring of Entrepreneurs.

Herb Kelleher Age

He was born on March 12, 1931 Camden, New Jersey, United States. He died on January 3, 2019 aged 87.

Herb Kelleher Wife

Kelleher was married to his wife Joan Negley and they had four children.

Herb Kelleher Children

He had four children.

Herb Kelleher Family

He was born to Ruth Moore (Mother) and Harry Kelleher (Father). He has two siblings, a sister Ruth Kelleher and a brother Richard Oliver Kelleher. He was married to his wife Joan Negley and they had four children.

Herb Kelleher Net Worth

Kelleher had an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion.

Herb Kelleher Death

He died on January 3, 2019 aged 87. His death was announced by Southwest Airlines on Twitter.

We already miss you, Herbie. #HonoringHerb

— Southwest Airlines (@SouthwestAir) January 3, 2019

Also in a statement on the airlines’ website : “It is with heavy hearts that we share with you that our Founder, Inspiration, Chairman Emeritus, and Friend Herb Kelleher has passed away this morning [January 3, 2019] at the age of 87.”

Herb Kelleher Cause of Death

Herb Kelleher’s cause of death has not been revealed.

Herb Kelleher Quotes

“If the employees come first, then they’re happy…. A motivated employee treats the customer well. The customer is happy so they keep coming back, which pleases the shareholders. It’s not one of the enduring green mysteries of all time, it is just the way it works.”

“It is my practice to try to understand how valuable something is by trying to imagine myself without it.”