American businessman and value investor Mason Hawkins has an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion in 2012. Most of Hawkins' net worth is acquired from Southeastern Asset Management, Inc., an investment firm he founded in 1975. Currently based in Tennessee, Southeastern Asset Management Inc. manages over $32 billion worth of assets in Tokyo, Sydney, Singapore, Tennessee and London.

Mason Hawkins was born on March 10, 1948. He obtained his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Florida. In 1971, he completed his MBA in Finance from University of Georgia. After graduation, he started working for Atlantic National Bank as Director of Research. He served the post until 1973. Until 1975, he worked for First Tennessee Investment Management as Director of Research. Since 1989, he has been working for Longleaf Partners Small-Cap Fund as its co-portfolio manager.