William Koch

$1.95 B

Ranked #2078 in World

About William Koch

William Ingraham Koch, MIT alumnus and American billionaire, boasts a diverse portfolio from chemical engineering to prestigious yacht races. Born May 3, 1940, and renowned as a business magnate and avid collector, his assertive stake in Koch Industries was sold post familial discord, fueling his success as Oxbow Group's president. With an estimated net worth of $1.8 billion in 2019 (Forbes), Koch has equally marked his influence in politics, philanthropy, and America’s Cup sailing—his 1992 victory a historical highlight. He has also made impactful donations in the realms of environmental activism and political campaigns.

Born

May 03, 1940 in Wichita, Kansas, U.S.

Age

85 years

Source Of Wealth

Oil, Investments

Industries

Energy

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Palm Beach, Florida

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Doctorate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Spouse

Joan Granlund (Married: 1994; Divorced: N/A), Angela Browder Gauntt (Married: 1996; Divorced: 2000), Bridget Rooney (Married: 2005; Divorced: N/A)

Children

Parent

Array, Array

William Ingraham Koch, an American billionaire businessman, sailor, and collector, was born on May 3, 1940. He attended Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana, and later graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering. William is the twin brother of David Koch (1940–2019) and has two other brothers, Frederick R. Koch (1933–2020) and Charles Koch (born 1935).

William Koch: Family

William Koch comes from a prominent family. His father, Fred C. Koch, was a chemical engineer and businessman who founded Koch Industries, a multinational corporation involved in various industries. William's mother, Mary Clementine Robinson Koch, was a homemaker. William has three brothers: Frederick R. Koch, Charles Koch, and David Koch. Frederick and Charles are also successful businessmen and have held leadership positions at Koch Industries.

William Koch: Career Highlights

William Koch worked in his family's company, Koch Industries, and inherited Koch Industries stock with his eldest brother Frederick R. Koch. However, he was fired from the company in 1980 after an unsuccessful attempt to take over from Charles. In 1983, William and Frederick sold their stock to brothers Charles and David for $800 million. William engaged in legal disputes against Charles and David for two decades, siding with J. Howard Marshall III at one point to take over the company. The litigation between the brothers ended in 2001 with a settlement, and William received one-third of a $25 million settlement for bringing a suit against Koch Industries.

William Koch founded and became president of the Oxbow Group, an energy development holding company. The Oxbow Group made significant contributions to political campaigns and environmental causes. William co-chairs the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound, opposing the Cape Wind project, and donated substantial funds to defeat the project.

William Koch: Companies

William Koch has been involved with several companies throughout his career.

He worked at Koch Industries, a multinational corporation founded by his father. After leaving Koch Industries, he founded the Oxbow Group, an energy development holding company. The Oxbow Group has interests in various energy-related businesses, including oil and gas exploration and production, renewable energy, and energy trading.

William Koch: Major Achievements

One of William Koch's major achievements is winning the America's Cup in 1992 with the yacht America3, defeating the Italian challenger Il Moro di Venezia. He spent around $65 million on the effort and sailed on the crew himself. William also financed another team in 1995, consisting entirely of women except for tactician David Dellenbaugh, on the yacht Mighty Mary. Although they lost to Dennis Conner's Stars & Stripes in the trials, William's contributions to sailing and the America's Cup are significant.

William Koch: Awards & Achievements

William Koch has received several awards and recognitions for his accomplishments. He was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2018. William's achievements in sailing and his contributions to the sport have been widely recognized.

William Koch: Personal Life & Legacy

William Koch has had a colorful personal life. He has been married multiple times and has children from different relationships. William is known for his philanthropic efforts, supporting various causes and organizations. He has made significant donations to environmental protection, political campaigns, and cultural institutions. William's legacy includes his contributions to sailing, collecting, and his impact on various industries through his business ventures.

William Koch: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about William Koch:

William Koch is a passionate collector of art and wine. He has filed lawsuits against sellers of counterfeit wines and owns a collection of model ships, antique nautical instruments, and paintings of ships and seascapes.
William Koch donated the yacht Jayhawk to the Wichita Boathouse and provided money for its repair.
He also purchased a 130-year-old photo of Billy the Kid for $2.3 million.
William Koch has a collection of military vehicles, including an M42 Duster anti-aircraft gun.
William Koch has been actively involved in activism, particularly in environmental protection. He has donated millions of dollars to organizations working to protect Nantucket Sound and has supported political campaigns that align with his environmental concerns.

Wealth History

Timeline

May 3, 1940

William Ingraham Koch is born.

1960s

Attends Culver Military Academy in Culver, Indiana.

1960s

Graduates with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in chemical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

1980

Fired from Koch Industries after an unsuccessful attempt to take over from Charles.

1983

Sells his Koch Industries stock to brothers Charles and David for $800 million.

1992

Wins the America's Cup with the yacht America3, defeating the Italian challenger Il Moro di Venezia.

1993

Inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame.

1995

Finances another America's Cup team, consisting entirely of women except for tactician David Dellenbaugh, on the yacht Mighty Mary.

1995

Files a lawsuit against former lover Catherine de Castelbajac to evict her from his condominium.

1996

Has a daughter with girlfriend Marie Beard.

1996

Marries Angela Gauntt, has two children, and divorces in 2000.

2001

Reaches a settlement in 2001, ending litigation between the brothers.

2005

Marries Bridget Rooney, has a daughter Kaitlin, and resides part-time in Palm Beach, Florida.

2011

Oxbow Group donates $750,000 to Restore Our Future, Inc., supporting Mitt Romney's presidential campaign.

2014

Reaches a settlement for $3 million in a lawsuit against Renee Angove.

2018

Inducted into the National Sailing Hall of Fame.

2019

Net worth estimated at $1.8 billion by Forbes.

2020

Twin brother David Koch dies.

2021

Inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution.

William Koch : FAQs

What is William Koch's current net worth?

William Koch's current net worth is $1.95 billion.

What is William Koch's current global rank among billionaires?

William Koch holds the 2078th position globally among billionaires.

What is William Koch's current ranking within the United States?

William Koch holds the 690th position in United States.

What was the change in William Koch's net worth compared to the previous year?

William Koch's net worth decreased by 0 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.95 billion dollars.

What are William Koch's main sources of wealth?

William Koch's main source of income comes from Oil, Investments.

In which industry does William Koch primarily operate?

William Koch is primarily involved in the Energy industry.

What is William Koch educational background?

William Koch holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Doctorate from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

How old is William Koch?

William Koch is 85 years old.

How many children does William Koch have?

William Koch has 6 children.

Who is William Ingraham Koch?

William Ingraham Koch is an American billionaire businessman, accomplished sailor, and an avid collector born on May 3, 1940. He is widely recognized for his involvement in Koch Industries, his America's Cup victory, and his various philanthropic and activist efforts.

What are the details of William Ingraham Koch's involvement in the America's Cup?

William Ingraham Koch is celebrated for winning the prestigious America's Cup in 1992 with his yacht America3, and for his subsequent induction into both the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Sailing Hall of Fame in 2018. He is known for heavily investing in his teams and participating himself as a crew member.

What kind of items does William Ingraham Koch collect, and has he faced issues with counterfeits?

William Ingraham Koch is an esteemed collector of fine art, rare wine, model ships, antique nautical instruments, and military vehicles. He has also taken legal action against sellers of counterfeit wines, successfully reaching settlements and ensuring the authenticity of his collection.

How has William Ingraham Koch's personal life and philanthropy been characterized?

William Ingraham Koch's personal life has seen multiple marriages and the birth of his children. As a philanthropist, he has donated millions to causes like the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound and political campaigns. He was inducted into the Sons of the American Revolution in 2021, underscoring his commitment to historic and national values.