Philip Hampson “Phil” Knight is an American businessman, producer and philanthropist. He was born in the year 1938, on February 24 in Portland, Oregon. Perhaps, he is best known as the co-founder and chairman of Nike, Inc. and before retiring, served as Nike’s CEO.
Phil also owns the stop motion film production company called Laika. He is a generous man and has contributed a staggering amount of money towards many charitable causes which support education and better standard of living all across the world.
A peek at the fantastic family of Knights
Knight Parents – William W. Knight and Lota Hatfield Knight
Phil’s parents were Oregon natives. His father was a lawyer who took to newspaper publishing and his mother was a homemaker. It is said that his father had refused to give him a summer job at his newspaper ‘Oregon Journal’ so he went to work for Oregonian, which was a rival of his father’s business. He used to work night shifts there and would walk seven miles from home for this job.
Knight Spouse – Penelope “Penny” Knight
The man married Penny Knight in the year 1968. She has been a supporter of her husband in all his ventures and also does charity along with him by donating funds to many organizations. The couple together has three children.
Knight Children – Travis Knight, Matthew Knight and Christina Knight
Travis Knight
Travis is professionally an animator, film executive and former rapper. He is the oldest son of Penelope and Phil Knight. He was born in 1973 and is married with two children. Currently he is CEO and President of Laika, Inc., a production company that his father started.
Matthew Knight
Matthew Knight was another son of Phil, who tragically died at the age of 34 in a scuba diving accident. The Matthew Knight Arena in Eugene, Oregon, is named after him.
Christina Knight
She is the only daughter of Phil and Penelope Knight.
Knight Siblings – Joanne Knight and Jeanne Knight
Phil has two sisters: Joanne and Jeanne.
Knight Grandparents – Fred Goodwin and Edith Knight
Phil’s grandparents Fred Goodwin and Edith M Knight are also well known. Goodwin served as the CEO of RBS Group.
Net Worth
As of 2015, Phil Knight has a net worth of 27.4 billion USD. This makes him the 35th richest person in the world and 21st in the United States.
Knight is known to be a fan of American sports and is a regular at many sporting events held all across the country. He and his family support many sporting foundations too.