Bruce Karsh

$2.58 B

Ranked #1576 in World

About Bruce Karsh

Renowned American investor and philanthropist Bruce Karsh, born October 10, 1955, in St. Louis, co-founded Oaktree Capital Management in 1995 and is valued at $2.1 billion by Forbes. A Duke University honor graduate and University of Virginia School of Law alumnus, Karsh is recognized for his monumental educational donations and received the Money Manager of the Year award in 2015, alongside various other accolades. With substantial contributions to healthcare and children's welfare programs, Karsh exemplifies leadership in investment and charitable endeavors.

Born

October 10, 1955

Age

70 years

Source Of Wealth

Private Equity

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Los Angeles, California

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Duke University; Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Virginia

Spouse

Martha

Bruce Karsh was born on October 10, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School in 1974. Karsh earned an A.B. degree in economics from Duke University in 1977, graduating summa cum laude and elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He then went on to earn a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1980, receiving the academic award Order of the Coif. During law school, Karsh served as notes editor for the Virginia Law Review.

Bruce Karsh: Family

Bruce Karsh is married to Martha Karsh, an attorney and co-founder of Clark & Karsh, an architecture firm. They have three children, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson. The family resides in Beverly Hills, California.

Bruce Karsh: Career Highlights

After law school, Karsh served as an appellate clerk to former Supreme Court of the United States justice Anthony M. Kennedy. He then worked as an attorney with the law firm O'Melveny & Myers. Karsh later served as an assistant to billionaire Eli Broad, chairman of Sun Life Insurance Company and SunAmerica. In 1987, he was hired by Howard Marks to manage distressed debt at TCW Group. Karsh managed the Special Credits Funds at TCW before leaving in April 1995 with Marks and three others to found Oaktree Capital Management.

At Oaktree, Karsh became a portfolio manager for the firm's Distressed Opportunities and Value Opportunities strategies and Chief Investment Officer. He has been instrumental in growing Oaktree into one of the world's largest alternative investment firms, with over $100 billion in assets under management.

Bruce Karsh: Companies

Bruce Karsh is the co-founder and Co-Chairman of Oaktree Capital Management, a global alternative investment management firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California. Oaktree specializes in distressed debt, corporate debt, real estate, and private equity investments.

Bruce Karsh: Major Achievements

Under Karsh's leadership, Oaktree Capital Management has achieved significant success.

The firm has generated strong returns for its investors and has been recognized as one of the world's leading alternative investment firms. Karsh has also been personally recognized for his achievements, receiving the Money Manager of the Year award at Institutional Investor's US Investment Management Awards in 2015 (with Howard Marks).

Bruce Karsh: Awards & Achievements

Money Manager of the Year award at Institutional Investor’s US Investment Management Awards (2015)
KIPP’s Giving Tree Award (2015)
Duke University Medal (2016)

Bruce Karsh: Personal Life & Legacy

Bruce Karsh is known for his philanthropy and commitment to education. He and his wife, Martha, started the Karsh Family Foundation in 1998, which has donated or committed over $200 million for education and scholarships across all levels. Karsh has also made significant donations to Duke University, the University of Virginia School of Law, and Howard University.

Karsh is also involved in several non-profit organizations. He co-founded The Painted Turtle, a non-profit organization that operates a camp for children with life-threatening diseases in Los Angeles. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for Duke University's investment management company (DUMAC) and the Duke University Board of Trustees.

Bruce Karsh: Trivia

Bruce Karsh is an avid art collector and has a significant collection of contemporary art.
He is a fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Karsh is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying.

Wealth History

Timeline

October 10, 1955

Bruce Karsh is born in St. Louis, Missouri.

1974

Graduates from Ladue Horton Watkins High School.

1977

Earns an A.B. degree in economics from Duke University, graduating summa cum laude and elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

1980

Earns a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law, receiving the academic award Order of the Coif.

1987

Hired by Howard Marks to manage distressed debt at TCW Group.

April 1995

Leaves TCW with Howard Marks and three others to found Oaktree Capital Management.

1998

Starts the Karsh Family Foundation.

2002

Joins the Board of Directors for Duke University’s investment management company (DUMAC).

July 2005

Appointed Chairman of DUMAC.

2003

Serves on the Duke University Board of Trustees.

2015

Receives the Money Manager of the Year award at Institutional Investor’s US Investment Management Awards (with Howard Marks).

2015

Receives KIPP’s Giving Tree Award (with his wife).

2016

Awarded the Duke University Medal.

2018

Donates $43.9 million to the University of Virginia School of Law, the largest gift in school history, for student scholarships and the founding of the Karsh Center for Law and Democracy.

January 2020

Donates $10 million to Howard University for the Bison STEM Scholars Program, renamed the Karsh STEM Scholars Program.

July 2020

Donates $25 million to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for digestive and liver disease study and care, leading to the Division of Digestive and Liver Diseases being named the Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

Bruce Karsh : FAQs

What is Bruce Karsh's current net worth?

Bruce Karsh's current net worth is $2.58 billion.

What is Bruce Karsh's current global rank among billionaires?

Bruce Karsh holds the 1576th position globally among billionaires.

What is Bruce Karsh's current ranking within the United States?

Bruce Karsh holds the 547th position in United States.

What was the change in Bruce Karsh's net worth compared to the previous year?

Bruce Karsh's net worth increased by 193.61 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 2.39 billion dollars.

What are Bruce Karsh's main sources of wealth?

Bruce Karsh's main source of income comes from Private Equity.

In which industry does Bruce Karsh primarily operate?

Bruce Karsh is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

What is Bruce Karsh educational background?

Bruce Karsh holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Duke University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Virginia.

How old is Bruce Karsh?

Bruce Karsh is 70 years old.

How many children does Bruce Karsh have?

Bruce Karsh has 3 children.

Who is Bruce Karsh and when was he born?

Bruce Karsh is an American investor and former lawyer, born on October 10, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri.

How did Bruce Karsh kickstart his investment career and what is his role at Oaktree Capital Management?

Bruce Karsh began his investment career by managing distressed debt at TCW Group in 1987 and co-founded Oaktree Capital Management in 1995, where he serves as Co-Chairman and Chief Investment Officer.

What educational achievements does Bruce Karsh have?

Bruce Karsh graduated summa cum laude from Duke University in 1977 with an A.B. in economics, and earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1980, where he was awarded Order of the Coif and served as notes editor for the Virginia Law Review.

What significant contributions has Bruce Karsh made to education through philanthropy?

Bruce Karsh, through the Karsh Family Foundation, has donated over $200 million for education and scholarships, including over $100 million to Duke University, $43.9 million to the University of Virginia School of Law, and $10 million to Howard University for the Bison STEM Scholars Program.

What personal details are known about Bruce Karsh's family and residency?

Bruce Karsh is married to Martha Karsh, lives in Beverly Hills, California, and has three children, a daughter-in-law, and a grandson.