David Geffen

$9.20 B

Ranked #375 in World

About David Geffen

Dubbed a titan in multiple realms, David Geffen's origins trace back to Brooklyn, where he was born to Jewish immigrants and later opted out of college to chase Hollywood dreams. Establishing entertainment powerhouses like Asylum Records and Geffen Records, Geffen shaped careers for top-tier artists from Eagles to Nirvana. A philanthropic force, he's transformed institutions with liberal donations, notably in medicine and the arts, and maintains a robust political presence, advocating for Democratic stances. With a $9.1 billion net worth, Geffen's personal endeavors include art collection and yachting excursions, while his personal milestones and affiliations paint a picture of an influential cultural patron and advocate.

Born

February 21, 1943 in New York City, U.S.

Age

83 years

Source Of Wealth

Movies, Record Labels

Industries

Media & Entertainment

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Beverly Hills, California

Education

Drop Out, The University of Texas at Austin

David Geffen was born on February 21, 1943, in Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York. His parents were Jewish immigrants from British Mandatory Palestine. Geffen graduated from Brooklyn's New Utrecht High School in 1960. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and Brooklyn College but dropped out to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

David Geffen: Family

David Geffen's parents were Jewish immigrants from British Mandatory Palestine. His father, Abraham Geffen, was a furrier, and his mother, Batya Geffen, was a homemaker. Geffen has two siblings, a brother, Mitchell, and a sister, Barbara.

David Geffen: Career Highlights

David Geffen's career highlights include co-founding Asylum Records, founding Geffen Records, producing films through Geffen Film Company, and co-founding DreamWorks SKG. He has also been involved in philanthropy, donating millions of dollars to various institutions and causes.

David Geffen: Companies

David Geffen has been involved with several companies throughout his career, including the William Morris Agency, Ashley-Famous Agency, Asylum Records, Geffen Records, Geffen Film Company, and DreamWorks SKG.

David Geffen: Major Achievements

David Geffen's major achievements include signing artists such as Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Linda Ronstadt, Donna Summer, John Lennon, Elton John, Cher, Aerosmith, and Nirvana. He has also produced successful films such as "Risky Business" and "Beetlejuice" and co-founded DreamWorks SKG, which produced numerous blockbuster hits.

David Geffen: Awards & Achievements

David Geffen has received numerous awards and honors, including the Ahmet Ertegun Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010 and the President's Merit Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in 2011.

David Geffen: Personal Life & Legacy

David Geffen is estimated to have a net worth of $9.1 billion as of October 2023. He came out as gay in 1992 and is a close friend of Joni Mitchell, who wrote "Free Man in Paris" about him. Geffen is a keen collector of American art and owns the most valuable private art collection in the world, estimated at $1.1 billion in 2013.

David Geffen: Trivia

David Geffen bought a half-share in Larry Ellison's luxury yacht Rising Sun in 2007 and purchased the 115-meter yacht Pelorus from Roman Abramovich's ex-wife in 2011.

He drew criticism for posting about self-isolating on the Rising Sun during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wealth History

Timeline

February 21, 1943

David Geffen is born in Borough Park, Brooklyn, New York.

1960

Graduates from Brooklyn's New Utrecht High School.

1964

Starts as a mailroom clerk at the William Morris Agency (WMA).

1968

Leaves WMA and joins Ashley-Famous Agency as a talent agent.

1971

Co-founds Asylum Records with Elliot Roberts.

Late 1970s

Leaves Asylum Records, which is acquired by Warner Communications.

1980

Founds Geffen Records with Ed Rosenblatt as president.

1990

Sells Geffen Records to MCA Records.

1994

Co-founds DreamWorks SKG with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

2008

Leaves DreamWorks.

2010

Receives the Ahmet Ertegun Award from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2011

Honored with the President's Merit Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

2013

His private art collection is estimated to be worth $1.1 billion.

2020

Sells his Beverly Hills estate to Jeff Bezos for $165 million.

David Geffen : FAQs

What is David Geffen's current net worth?

David Geffen's current net worth is $9.20 billion.

What is David Geffen's current global rank among billionaires?

David Geffen holds the 375th position globally among billionaires.

What is David Geffen's current ranking within the United States?

David Geffen holds the 147th position in United States.

What was the change in David Geffen's net worth compared to the previous year?

David Geffen's net worth decreased by 74.72 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 9.28 billion dollars.

What are David Geffen's main sources of wealth?

David Geffen's main source of income comes from Movies, Record Labels.

In which industry does David Geffen primarily operate?

David Geffen is primarily involved in the Media & Entertainment industry.

What is David Geffen educational background?

David Geffen is a dropout from The University of Texas at Austin.

How old is David Geffen?

David Geffen is 83 years old.

Who is David Geffen and how did he begin his career in entertainment?

David Geffen is an American business magnate, producer, and film studio executive. He began his career in the entertainment industry as a mailroom clerk at the William Morris Agency in 1964, quickly rising to become a talent agent.

What record labels did David Geffen establish and which famous artists did he sign?

David Geffen established Asylum Records in 1971 and Geffen Records in 1980. He signed renowned artists such as Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Donna Summer, John Lennon, and Nirvana.

How has David Geffen contributed to the film industry and what are his philanthropic efforts?

Geffen contributed to the film industry through the Geffen Film Company and by co-founding DreamWorks SKG. His philanthropic efforts include major donations to the UCLA School of Medicine, the Lincoln Center, and the Yale School of Drama.

What political causes has David Geffen supported and how has he influenced politics?

David Geffen is a donor to the Democratic Party, has supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign, opposed California's Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage, and contributed to the Lincoln Project against Donald Trump.