Donald Bren facts for kids

Donald Leroy Bren (born May 11, 1932) is an American billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and owner of the Irvine Company, a large company that develops and manages properties in the U.S. With a net worth of $18 billion, he is one of the richest people in the world, ranking number 104 on the 2024 Forbes Billionaires List.

Donald Bren's Early Life

Donald Bren was born on May 11, 1932. His father, Milton Bren, was a naval officer and movie producer. His mother, Marion Newbert, was a community leader.

After his parents divorced, his father married actress Claire Trevor. His mother later married steel businessman Earle M. Jorgensen.

Bren went to the University of Washington. He earned a bachelor's degree in business and economics. While in college, he was part of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He tried out for the 1956 Olympic ski team but was injured. After college, he served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps.

Donald Bren's Business Career

In 1958, Donald Bren started his first business, the Bren Company, to build homes. In 1963, he helped start the Mission Viejo Company. This company bought 10,000 acres of land to build the city of Mission Viejo, California. He led this company from 1963 to 1967.

Later, a company called International Paper bought the Bren Co. for $34 million. But they sold it back to Bren for $22 million a few years later because of a tough economy.

In 1977, Bren joined a group of investors to buy the Irvine Company. This company was already 146 years old. He became the biggest owner in the group, with 34.3% of the company. By 1983, he owned most of the company and became its chairman. By 1996, he bought all the remaining shares, making him the sole owner.

The Irvine Company owns a lot of property, mostly in Southern California. This includes hotels, marinas, golf courses, office buildings, apartment complexes, and shopping centers. Donald Bren also owns a large part of the MetLife Building in New York City.

Donald Bren's Philanthropy

Donald Bren is known for his generous donations. In 2008, BusinessWeek called him one of the top ten givers in the country. He has given over $2.1 billion to different causes, including education, protecting nature, and research.

In 2010, he received the "Donald Bren Legacy of Giving Award." He said he tries to put the same care into his giving as he does into his business.

Supporting Education

Bren has given more than $200 million to schools and universities in Southern California. His gifts have helped the University of California, Irvine, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Chapman University.

At UC Irvine, several places are named after him, like the Bren Events Center and the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. His stepmother, Claire Trevor, also has a school named after her there. At UC Santa Barbara, Bren Hall and the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management are named in his honor.

In 2007, Bren promised $20 million to the new UC Irvine School of Law. This money helped hire top law experts. He also supports new teachers at the California Institute of Technology.

In 2003, Bren gave $1 million to the Marine Corps University. This helped create two special teaching positions focused on ethics and leadership. He also supported after-school programs for students through THINK Together. His donations helped this program grow to serve over 10,000 students.

Bren also gave $25 million in 2000 and $20 million in 2006 to the Irvine Unified School District. These gifts helped support arts, music, and science classes in elementary schools.

Protecting Nature

Donald Bren has given away a lot of land for parks and nature preserves. Over 30 years, he donated about 55,000 acres (220 square kilometers) of land. This fulfills his promise to protect more than half of the historic Irvine Ranch.

In 2006, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praised Bren for his "spectacular gift" to the state. In 2008, California named this land the first California Natural Landmark because of its important natural value.

In 2010, Bren completed his pledge by giving 20,000 more acres (81 square kilometers) to Orange County. This was the largest private land donation in Orange County's history. By 2014, 60% of the Irvine Ranch land was preserved.

Gale Norton, a former U.S. Secretary of the Interior, said that the Irvine Ranch shows how people can work together to protect nature.

Supporting Research

In 2007, Bren gave $2.5 million to the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. This money helped fund research into diseases like cancer and diabetes.

Bren has also shown interest in supporting solar energy research. He believes solar energy could be a big solution for the world's energy needs.

Awards and Honours

Donald Bren has received many awards for his work and generosity. In 2006, the Los Angeles Times called him the most powerful and wealthiest person in Southern California. The Orange County Business Journal named him "Businessperson of the Year."

In 2011, the Urban Land Institute gave him its first Vanguard Award. They called him "one of the most important developers in American history."

In 2004, he received the University of California Presidential Medal, the highest honor from the University of California system. This was for his financial support, which was over $43 million at the time.

The Marine Corps University Foundation has also honored Bren. In 1998, he received the Semper Fidelis Award. In 2003, he received the General Leonard F. Chapman Medallion, their most important award.

Bren is also a trustee at Caltech and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In 2007, he became a Fellow with the American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

Donald Bren's Personal Life

Donald Bren has been married three times and has seven children. He lives with his current wife, Brigitte Muller, in Newport Beach, California.

Bren prefers to keep his life private. He once said that he gets satisfaction from doing his job well, not from being in the public eye.

Donald Bren and Politics

Donald Bren has supported politicians from both the Republican and Democratic parties. He has given money to Republican campaigns, including Pete Wilson and Donald Trump. He has also supported Democrats like Dianne Feinstein, whom he called "a great senator for California."

Images for kids

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  Claire Trevor Theatre, UC Irvine

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  The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences viewed from the top of Bren Hall, UC Irvine

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  Basketball court of the Bren Events Center before a game, UC Irvine

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  Bren Hall, UC Santa Barbara