David Gottesman

$3.40 B

Ranked #883 in World

About David Gottesman

Renowned Jewish-American banker and investor, David Sanford "Sandy" Gottesman (1926-2022), leaves behind a legacy marked by significant contributions to the finance industry and philanthropy. Born in New York City and educated at prestigious institutions such as Harvard Business School, Gottesman's career journey included a decade in mergers and acquisitions at Hallgarten & Company, founding the investment advisory firm First Manhattan Co., and a noteworthy friendship with Warren Buffett that led to his early investment in Berkshire Hathaway and a position on its board in 2003. His philanthropic efforts were equally impressive, donating millions to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and other institutions, impacting future generations. Gottesman's personal life was characterized by a lasting marriage to Ruth Levy, a love for swimming, and notable roles in various medical and cultural boards until his passing in Rye, New York.

Born

April 26, 1926 in New York City, U.S.

Died

September 28, 2022 (aged 96)

Source Of Wealth

Investments

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

United States

Education

Master of Business Administration, Harvard University; Bachelor of Arts/Science, Trinity College Connecticut

Spouse

Ruth Levy (Married: 1950)

Children

David Sanford "Sandy" Gottesman was born on April 26, 1926, in New York City to a Jewish family. His father, Benjamin, was a banker and investor, while his mother, Esther, played a significant role in procuring the Dead Sea Scrolls for Israel. Gottesman had two siblings, Milton Gottesman and Alice Gottesman Bayer.

After completing high school, Gottesman joined the US Army and studied engineering at Princeton University. He served in the South Pacific theater in 1945 and later obtained a bachelor's degree from Trinity College and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1950.

David Gottesman: Family

Gottesman married Ruth Levy in 1950, and they remained married for 72 years until his death. The couple had three children: Robert W. "Bob" Gottesman, William L. Gottesman, and Alice R. Gottesman.

David Gottesman: Career Highlights

Gottesman began his career at Hallgarten & Company, where he worked in mergers and acquisitions for about a decade. In 1963, he met Warren Buffett, and they became close friends, often discussing investment strategies. This led to the founding of the investment advisory firm First Manhattan Co. in 1964.

Gottesman was an early investor in Berkshire Hathaway and co-invested with Buffett and Charlie Munger in Diversified Retailing Co. He eventually joined the Berkshire Hathaway board of directors in 2003 and owned a significant number of Berkshire Hathaway class A and class B shares.

David Gottesman: Companies

Gottesman's notable companies include:

Hallgarten & Company
First Manhattan Co.
Berkshire Hathaway
Diversified Retailing Co.

David Gottesman: Major Achievements

Gottesman's major achievements include:

Co-founding First Manhattan Co., a successful investment advisory firm.
Becoming an early investor in Berkshire Hathaway and co-investing with Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger.
Joining the Berkshire Hathaway board of directors and contributing to its growth and success.
Making significant philanthropic contributions to various institutions, particularly in the fields of medicine and education.

David Gottesman: Awards & Achievements

Gottesman received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions, including:

Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Yeshiva University.
Named one of the "100 Most Influential People in Finance" by Institutional Investor magazine.
Inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

David Gottesman: Personal Life & Legacy

Gottesman lived in Rye, New York, and was an avid swimmer. He served as a trustee of the Mount Sinai Medical Center and Vice Chairman and trustee of the American Museum of Natural History. Gottesman passed away at his home in Rye on September 28, 2022, at the age of 96.

His legacy is marked by his successful investment career, his philanthropic contributions, and his dedication to various institutions. Gottesman's impact on the business and philanthropic worlds will continue to be felt for years to come.

David Gottesman: Trivia

Gottesman was a close friend of Warren Buffett for over 50 years.
He was a passionate art collector and owned works by artists such as Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, and Vincent van Gogh.
Gottesman was a supporter of the Democratic Party and contributed to various political campaigns.
He was a member of the board of directors of several prestigious institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the National Library of Israel.

Wealth History

Timeline

April 26, 1926

David Sanford "Sandy" Gottesman is born in New York City.

1945

Serves in the South Pacific theater during World War II.

1950

Obtains a bachelor's degree from Trinity College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

1950

Marries Ruth Levy.

1963

Meets Warren Buffett and becomes close friends.

1964

Founds the investment advisory firm First Manhattan Co.

2003

Joins the Berkshire Hathaway board of directors.

2008

Donates $25 million to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, establishing the Ruth L. and David S. Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.

2022

Passes away at his home in Rye, New York, at the age of 96.

2024

Ruth Gottesman donates an additional $1 billion to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, making tuition free for all future medical students.

David Gottesman : FAQs

What is David Gottesman's net worth?

As of 2022, David Gottesman's net worth was $3.40 billion.

What are David Gottesman's main sources of wealth?

David Gottesman's main source of income comes from Investments.

In which industry does David Gottesman primarily operate?

David Gottesman is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

What is David Gottesman educational background?

David Gottesman holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Trinity College Connecticut.

Is David Gottesman dead?

Yes, David Gottesman died on September 28, 2022 (aged 96).

How many children does David Gottesman have?

David Gottesman has 3 children.

Who was David Sanford "Sandy" Gottesman and what is he known for?

David Sanford "Sandy" Gottesman (1926-2022) was a noted investor, philanthropist, and a close friend of Warren Buffett. He founded the investment advisory firm First Manhattan Co. in 1964 and was an early investor in Berkshire Hathaway. He is also known for his significant philanthropic contributions, including a substantial donation to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

How did David Gottesman contribute to philanthropy?

David Gottesman's philanthropic contributions were significant, including a $25 million donation to the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2008, establishing the Gottesman Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. He also supported various projects such as the Train Track Park's bicycle path in Jerusalem and the American Museum of Natural History.

Can you detail David Gottesman's family and personal life?

David Gottesman was married to Ruth Levy for 72 years until his death in 2022 and had three children: Robert W. "Bob" Gottesman, William L. Gottesman, and Alice R. Gottesman. An avid swimmer, Gottesman lived in Rye, New York, and held trustee positions at the Mount Sinai Medical Center and the American Museum of Natural History.

What significant roles did David Gottesman hold during his career?

Throughout his career, David Gottesman worked at Hallgarten & Company in mergers and acquisitions before founding First Manhattan Co. in 1964. He became a Berkshire Hathaway board member in 2003 and held a significant number of its shares. His career was marked by close ties with Warren Buffett and contributions to both the finance and philanthropic sectors.