Meet Robert Kraft, billionaire owner of NFL’s Patriots: from praising Taylor Swift to his bromance with Tom Brady, and having Elton John and Ed Sheeran perform at his wedding to his 48-year-old wife

Feb 19 , 2024

Billionaire Patriots owner Robert Kraft is much loved by his celeb friends for his generous nature. Photo: Reuters

The 82-year-old sent Swifties into meltdown after he praised the singer-songwriter for her impact on the NFL – and he shared an affectionate moment with Travis Kelce’s girlfriend at the Grammys

When Kraft turned 80, his celebrity pals, including rappers Jay-Z and Meek Mill, surprised him with a blue Bentley that he had been eyeing

He’s worth billions, owns an NFL team and is pals with the likes of Jay-Z and Meek Mill. Just who is Robert Kraft, the 82-year-old who got married to his doctor girlfriend almost 34 years his junior?

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft arrives at an NFL football owners meeting in 2019. Photo: AP

Meet the man whose generosity and smart business sense have enamoured him to his celebrity friends.

Robert Kraft’s Taylor Swift appreciation

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) kisses Taylor Swift after the NFL Super Bowl 58 football game against the San Francisco 49ers, on February 11, in Las Vegas. Photo: AP Photo

Taylor Swift’s romance with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce has not only got fans going gaga, but has also massively increased brand awareness around the NFL. New research by the Apex Marketing Group claims that Swift has generated the equivalent of US$331.5 million in brand value for the Chiefs and the NFL.

At the 66th annual Grammy Awards, Taylor and Kraft made headlines after the two embraced, sharing a moment captured on camera. It was particularly significant as Kraft had earlier praised Swift for her ability to cross-promote the NFL and music.

“I think she’s increased the fan approval for young women, which we want, but she’s been smart because she is also getting male fans to [listen] to her music. I just think it’s the quality of the product and the parity and what the NFL presents,” he told CNN.

Coming from a mega-wealthy magnate like Kraft, his appreciation had Swifties in meltdown mode.

So how did Robert Kraft get rich?

Robert Kraft started off selling newspapers. Photo: Reuters

Per Forbes, Kraft has an estimated net worth of US$11.1 billion. It has been widely reported that he sold newspapers as a kid and made his initial fortune in paper and packaging. He took control of the Rand-Whitney Group and was instrumental in a buyout in 1968. He then founded International Forest Products, per Pro Football Network.