Ladybird had money from her family but she and LBJ made big money together. She bought the land on Clear Lake just in time to sell it to NASA. I remember when that happened. I have read Means of Assent and Master of the Senate, biographies of LBJ, and by the way, LBJ DID kill Kennedy. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind. The more you know about LBJ the clearer that becomes to you. Absolutely ruthless and he HAD to be president.
I recall that the publicly stated line on this was: The NASA land had been donated by Rice University.
I don't doubt that there is a story behind the story regarding Texas and U.S. politics.