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David Koch

How much is David Koch Worth? David Koch Net Worth in 2026

$ 50.5 billion
David Koch Net Worth
$8,700,000,000 / year
David Koch salary

By the Alux Research Team. How we estimate net worth

David Koch’s net worth at the time of death was estimated at $50.5 billion. He was an American businessman and philanthropist who co-owned Koch Industries with his brother Charles and died on August 23, 2019, aged 79.

Net worth $50.5 billion (at the time of death)
Income Mainly ownership of Koch Industries, a privately held company; no reliable annual figure is available
Born and died May 3, 1940, Wichita, Kansas. Died August 23, 2019, Southampton, New York, aged 79.
Country United States
Occupations and sources of wealth Businessman, chemical engineer, philanthropist
Known for Co-owning Koch Industries and giving more than $1.3 billion to museums, hospitals and research

How David Koch built it

  • Trained as an engineer. He earned bachelor's and master's degrees in chemical engineering at MIT in 1962 and 1963.
  • Joined Koch Industries early. He joined in 1970 as a technical services manager and ran Koch Engineering from 1979.
  • Kept a 42% ownership stake. His 42% stake in the private company was the source of nearly all of his wealth.

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How much was David Koch worth?

David Koch’s net worth at the time of death was estimated at $50.5 billion, as of June 2019. Nearly all of it came from his 42% stake in Koch Industries, a privately held company. Because the company is private, estimates vary, and this figure is an approximation.

Legacy and estate

  • August 23, 2019: Died at his home in Southampton, New York.
  • Koch Industries stake: His 42% stake in the company was inherited by his wife and three children.
  • Philanthropy: His lifetime giving totaled more than $1.3 billion, including $100 million to renovate the New York State Theater at Lincoln Center, renamed the David H. Koch Theater.
  • Medical research: Major gifts include $150 million to Memorial Sloan Kettering and $100 million to MIT for a cancer research institute.
  • Museums: Gifts include $20 million for the Dinosaur Wing at the American Museum of Natural History and $15 million for the Hall of Human Origins at the National Museum of Natural History.

How David Koch made money

  • Koch Industries ownership: His 42% stake was the source of nearly all of his wealth.
  • Koch Engineering: He ran this division from 1979, later called the Chemical Technology Group.
  • Patents: He held four United States patents.

Career timeline

  1. 1940: Born on May 3 in Wichita, Kansas.
  2. 1959: Graduated from Deerfield Academy.
  3. 1962 to 1963: Earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering at MIT, where he set basketball scoring records.
  4. 1970: Joined Koch Industries as a technical services manager.
  5. 1979: Became president of Koch Engineering and set up the company’s New York office.
  6. 1983: Became co-owner of Koch Industries after his brothers were bought out.
  7. 1988: Joined the MIT Corporation.
  8. 2008: Pledged $100 million to renovate the New York State Theater.
  9. 2013 and 2015: Gave $100 million to NewYork-Presbyterian and $150 million to Memorial Sloan Kettering.
  10. 2018: Retired as executive vice president of Koch Industries.
  11. 2019: Died on August 23.

Early life and background

David H. Koch was born on May 3, 1940, in Wichita, Kansas, the third of four sons of Fred Chase Koch, a chemical engineer, and Clementine Mary Koch. His brothers were Frederick, Charles, and his twin Bill, who was 19 minutes younger.

He attended Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, graduating in 1959, then studied chemical engineering at MIT. There he played basketball, averaging 21 points per game over three seasons, and held the single-game scoring record of 41 points from 1962 until 2009. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

David Koch net worth FAQ

What was David Koch’s net worth when he died?

His net worth was estimated at $50.5 billion in June 2019, shortly before his death. Estimates vary.

How did David Koch make money?

Through his 42% ownership of the privately held Koch Industries, which he joined in 1970.

When did David Koch die?

He died on August 23, 2019, at his home in Southampton, New York, aged 79.

Where was David Koch from?

He was born in Wichita, Kansas, on May 3, 1940.

What happened to David Koch’s fortune?

His stake in Koch Industries was inherited by his wife and three children.

How is David Koch’s net worth estimated?

It is based on Koch Industries’ revenue, comparable valuations and his ownership stake, and is approximate.

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How we estimate net worth

Our estimates are based on public reporting, company valuations, and deal and earnings figures all compiled in an internal valuation model. They are approximate, and figures change over time as new information emerges.

Last updated: October 2026.