Donald Friese

$1.75 B

Ranked #2298 in World

About Donald Friese

Donald Friese, an astute businessman who journeyed from a humble beginning in York, Pennsylvania, to becoming a pivotal figure in the glass industry, exemplifies an inspiring success story. Born in 1940 and once a U.S. Army missile mechanic, Friese relocated to Los Angeles with merely $125, launching his career at C.R. Laurence as a minor employee. His foresight and entrepreneurship drove him to gradually acquire the firm from Bernie Harris by 1997, transforming it into a powerhouse with over 65,000 products by 2015. The culmination of his efforts came when he sold the company to CRH plc for $1.3 billion in cash, netting approximately $885 million. Today, Friese enjoys life in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, alongside his wife, Andrea, and their three children, cementing his legacy within the business and finance community in India and beyond.

Born

October 03, 1940 in York, Pennsylvania, U.S.

Age

85 years

Source Of Wealth

Manufacturing

Industries

Manufacturing

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Los Angeles, California

Spouse

Andrea Friese

Children

Donald Friese was born in 1940 in York, Pennsylvania. He was the third of 13 siblings. His early life was marked by humble beginnings and a large family.

Donald Friese: Family

Donald Friese is married to his wife Andrea and they have three children together. The family resides in Chatsworth, Los Angeles.

Donald Friese: Career Highlights

Friese's career journey began when he joined the U.S. Army in 1958. He received training as a missile mechanic and served for three years. After his military service, he ventured to Los Angeles with only $125 in his pocket in search of job opportunities.

His career took a significant turn when he started working at C.R. Laurence in Los Angeles. Initially, he was the sixth employee of the company. Through hard work and dedication, he gradually acquired ownership of the company from Bernie Harris. In 1997, he completed the process by buying out Harris.

Under Friese's leadership, C.R. Laurence experienced remarkable growth. He expanded the business by acquiring competitors and establishing a manufacturing operation. By 2015, the company had become a prominent manufacturer of over 65,000 products catering to the glass industry.

In a notable transaction, Friese sold C.R. Laurence to CRH plc for a substantial $1.3 billion in cash in 2015. Despite the sale, he retained ownership of most of the company's real estate and continued to serve as the CEO.

Donald Friese: Companies

Donald Friese's primary business venture was C.R. Laurence, a company that he eventually acquired and expanded into a leading manufacturer of glass industry products.

Donald Friese: Major Achievements

Friese's major achievements include building C.R. Laurence into a thriving business with over 65,000 products and successfully selling the company for $1.3 billion.

Donald Friese: Awards & Achievements

Information about specific awards or achievements received by Donald Friese is not provided in the given context.

Donald Friese: Personal Life & Legacy

Donald Friese lives in Chatsworth, Los Angeles with his wife Andrea.

They have three children together. Friese is known for his entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and the significant impact he made on the glass industry.

Donald Friese: Trivia

After selling C.R. Laurence, Donald Friese reportedly made a substantial $885 million from the transaction.

Wealth History

Timeline

1940

Donald Friese is born in York, Pennsylvania.

1958

Friese joins the U.S. Army, trains as a missile mechanic, and serves for 3 years.

1997

Friese gradually acquires ownership of C.R. Laurence from Bernie Harris and eventually buys him out.

2015

C.R. Laurence manufactures over 65,000 products for the glass industry.

2015

Friese sells C.R. Laurence to CRH plc for $1.3 billion cash, retaining most of the real estate and continuing as CEO.

Donald Friese : FAQs

What is Donald Friese's current net worth?

Donald Friese's current net worth is $1.75 billion.

What is Donald Friese's current global rank among billionaires?

Donald Friese holds the 2298th position globally among billionaires.

What is Donald Friese's current ranking within the United States?

Donald Friese holds the 736th position in United States.

What was the change in Donald Friese's net worth compared to the previous year?

Donald Friese's net worth increased by 527 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.22 billion dollars.

What are Donald Friese's main sources of wealth?

Donald Friese's main source of income comes from Manufacturing.

In which industry does Donald Friese primarily operate?

Donald Friese is primarily involved in the Manufacturing industry.

How old is Donald Friese?

Donald Friese is 85 years old.

Who is Donald Friese and what is his background?

Donald Friese, born in 1940 in York, Pennsylvania, and the third of 13 siblings, is an American entrepreneur who joined the U.S. Army in 1958 as a missile mechanic. After serving for 3 years, he moved to Los Angeles, starting his career at C.R. Laurence as its sixth employee, eventually acquiring the company and expanding it into a leading manufacturer in the glass industry.

How did Donald Friese make his fortune?

Donald Friese made his fortune by gradually acquiring ownership of C.R. Laurence, a Los Angeles-based company, from Bernie Harris and transforming it into a leading manufacturer with over 65,000 products for the glass industry. He then sold the company to CRH plc for $1.3 billion cash in 2015.

What were the key steps Donald Friese took to grow C.R. Laurence?

To grow C.R. Laurence, Donald Friese acquired competitors and launched a manufacturing operation, expanding the business's product line to over 65,000 products for the glass industry, leading to significant growth and culminating in the sale of the company for $1.3 billion in 2015.

How much did Donald Friese earn from selling C.R. Laurence, and what did he retain post-sale?

Donald Friese reportedly made $885 million from selling C.R. Laurence to CRH plc in 2015. After the sale, he retained most of the real estate associated with the company and continued serving as its CEO.

Where does Donald Friese live, and who are his family members?

Donald Friese lives in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, with his wife Andrea, and they have three children. He has made significant impacts both in the business world and his local community.