Hunt Family History The Hunt family history provides notable examples of both the strengths and weaknesses of the family business model. The size of the company, characters with big egos and controversial political opinions have always attracted a lot of public attention to the Hunt family. But the most interesting aspect, which will be investigated in this contribution, is the interdependence between family and business dynamics. Based on the history of two branches of the Hunt family, it will be shown how changes within the family can make or break a business. The Hunt family fortune was founded by Haroldson Lafayette "HL" Hunt, legendary oil prospector and one of the wealthiest individuals of his time. Trading poker winnings for oil rights, he eventually secured title to much of the East Texas Oil Field, one of the largest oil fields in the world (see Appendix 2 "The Black Giant"). To exploit this new field, the Hunt Oil Company was founded in 1936. It soon grew to become the largest independent oil producer in the United States. Later H.L. Hunt began to develop large holdings in real estate and engage in the production of consumer goods, but oil production was still a cornerstone. At the time of his death in 1974, Hunt's fortune was estimated at between $2 billion and $3 billion (in 2011 prices). H.L. Hunt thought he had superior genes and wanted to distribute them as widely as possible, according to a book written by one of his daughters. He had fifteen children from three wives. Many of his children become famous on their own. His first son, Hassie, who was expected to inherit control of the family estate, successfully continued his father's oil prospecting business, but was ultimately lobotomized in response to severe schizophrenia. ..... middle of paper ...... After the accident, he went back to school and stopped drinking and never started again. Yet he never abandoned his luxurious lifestyle. Al III's immediate family believes he is a reckless son who, with his former beauty queen wife, has wasted millions of dollars on a lavish lifestyle. On many occasions, Al Jr. covered millions in the personal debts of Al III and his wife Erin. Corporate debts were even more significant. In 1997, Al III founded a chain of gas stations and convenience stores. By 2002 the company, Food Fast Holdings, was bankrupt with debts exceeding $20 million. Works Cited List of Literature: The Big Rich: The Rise and Fall of the Greatest Texas Oil Fortunes, by Bryan Burrough (Penguin Books, 2009) Texas Rich: The Hunt Dynasty, from the Early Oil Days through the Silver Crash Corporate Websites by Hunt Petroleum and Hunt OilD-Magazine publications