Portrait of Donald Bren

Rank #144

Donald Bren

Net worth $19.2B

Real estate · United States

Born
May 11, 1932
Age
94
Source
Real estate
Residence
Newport Beach, California
Citizenship
United States
Marital status
Married
Children
7
Education
Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Washington

Net worth over time

Biography

  • Donald Bren is America's wealthiest real estate baron.
  • His Irvine Co. owns 129 million square feet of real estate, mostly in Southern California.
  • His portfolio includes more than 590 office buildings and 125 apartment complexes.
  • Irvine Co. also owns all of Manhattan's MetLife Building, buying out a minority 2.7% stake in July 2024.
  • The son of a real estate investor, Bren worked as a carpenter's helper on his father's buildings.
  • Bren attended the University of Washington on a skiing scholarship and spent three years in the U.S. Marine Corps.
  • Bren has gifted more than 57,000 acres in southern California to be permanently preserved as open space and parklands for public enjoyment.