Daniel Andrew “Andy” Beal (born November 29, 1952) is an American banker, businessman, investor, poker player, and amateur mathematician. He is a Dallas-based businessman who accumulated wealth in real estate and banking. Born and reared in Lansing, Michigan, Beal is founder and chairman of Beal Bank and Beal Bank USA, as well as other affiliated companies. Beal has an estimated worth of US$7.6 billion as of February 2016.
A number theorist, Beal is also known for the Beal conjecture, a mathematical generalization of Fermat’s Last Theorem. He has funded a $1 million standing prize for its proof or disproof. His banks also sponsor two annual science and technology fairs affiliated with the International Science & Engineering Fair. Beal also participated in some high-stakes poker games in the mid-2000s that were the subject of a book.
Background
Beal grew up in Lansing, Michigan, where his mother worked in state government and his father was a mechanical engineer. His siblings include an older brother and a younger sister. As a teenager, Beal began earning money by fixing and reselling used televisions with the help of his uncle. While attending high school he also installed apartment security systems. He also started a business moving houses and managed rental properties.
Education
Beal excelled on his high school debate team at Lansing Sexton High School and went on to enroll at Michigan State University, where he studied mathematics.
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