Donald Bren is an American businessman. As of 2024, Donald Bren net worth is $18 billion.
As the chairman of the Irvine Group, he is considered the wealthiest real estate developer in the United States.
The Irvine Group stands as the largest private landowner in California, with 120 million square feet of office space, numerous apartment complexes, shopping centers, golf courses, hotels, and marinas.
Bren is also renowned for his philanthropy, having donated over $1 billion to various charities and foundations.
Donald Bren Early Years
Donald Leroy Bren was born on May 11, 1932, in Los Angeles, California.
His father, Milton Bren, was a Hollywood movie producer, talent agent, and real estate developer, while his mother, Marion (Newbert), was a civic leader and philanthropist.
After his parents divorced in 1948, his father married Academy Award-winning actress Claire Trevor. His mother later married Earle Jorgensen, a businessman in the steel industry.
Bren graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration. He also served in the United States Marine Corps.
Donald Bren Real Estate and Urban Planning
In 1958, Bren founded The Bren Company, a house-building enterprise. Five years later, he co-founded the Mission Viejo Company (MVC) and acquired 10,000 acres to develop the city of Mission Viejo, California.
Bren served as MVC’s president from 1963 to 1967. In 1970, International Paper acquired Bren Co. for $34 million, but Bren repurchased MVC for $22 million in 1972 following a recession.
In 1977, Bren and other investors bought The Irvine Company, a private American real estate development firm.
Initially, he served as vice-chairman of the board and owned 34.3% of the company.
By 1983, he became the chairman of the board, and by 1986, he had acquired all shares of the company.
Today, The Irvine Company owns hundreds of hotels, apartment buildings, office buildings, golf courses, and shopping centers.
Donald Bren Philanthropy
In 2000, Bren donated $25 million to the Irvine Unified School District. Three years later, he gave $1 million to the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia.
In 2006, he donated another $20 million to the Irvine Unified School District and $20 million to the new University of California at Irvine School of Law.
That same year, he committed $2.5 million to the Burnham Institute for Medical Research in La Jolla, California, establishing “The Donald Bren Presidential Chair” for disease research.
In 2008, BusinessWeek magazine ranked Bren among the top ten philanthropists in the United States, noting his contributions exceeding $2 billion.
Over $60 million of this has supported California’s educational institutions such as the University of California in Irvine and Santa Barbara, and Chapman University in Orange, California.
He also donated to “Think Together,” a California-based nonprofit providing after-school programs for underprivileged children.
Bren has gifted over 55,000 acres of California land for parks, recreation areas, and wilderness preserves.
Donald Bren Influence and Recognition
In 2006, “The Los Angeles Times” named Bren the wealthiest and most powerful person in Southern California.
“The Orange County Business Journal” also recognized him as “Businessperson of the Year.” In 2009, the British newspaper “The Sunday Times” placed him ninth on its “Green Rich List” for his investments in green businesses and contributions to environmental causes.
In 2011, the Urban Land Institute awarded him its first “Vanguard Award.” By 2014, he was listed among the “100 Most Influential People in Orange County.”
Donald Bren Accolades
Bren has received numerous honors, including the Marine Corps University Foundation’s Semper Fidelis Award in 1998, the General Leonard F. Chapman Medallion in 2003, and the University of California Presidential Medal in 2004.
The University of California at Irvine named their indoor arena “The Donald Bren Events Center” and houses “The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences” in his honor.
The University of California at Santa Barbara named “Bren Hall” and founded the “Bren School of Environmental Science and Management” in recognition of his contributions.
Donald Bren Personal Life
Donald Bren has three children with his first wife, Diane. With his second wife, Mardelle, whom he married in 1977, he has one child.
In 1998, he married entertainment attorney Brigitte Muller, with whom he has one child. He also has three additional children from two previous relationships.
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Conclusion
Donald Bren’s impact on real estate and philanthropy is monumental. His contributions to urban development and education, alongside his generous donations to various causes, have left a lasting legacy.
Bren’s influence continues to shape communities, educational institutions, and philanthropic endeavors, making him a significant figure in both business and humanitarian efforts.
