Gordon Getty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gordon Getty
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Getty in 1976
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Gordon Peter Getty
December 20, 1933 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of San Francisco San Francisco Conservatory of Music |
| Occupation | Businessman, composer |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 7, including Andrew and Kendalle |
| Parent(s) | J. Paul Getty Ann Rork Light |
| Family | Getty |
Gordon Peter Getty (born December 20, 1933) is an American businessman and classical music composer. He is the fourth child of the famous oil tycoon J. Paul Getty. His mother, Ann Rork, was his father's fourth wife.
When his father passed away in 1976, Gordon took charge of the family's large trust, which was worth about US$2 billion. In 2020, his personal wealth was around US$2.1 billion. This made him one of the wealthiest people in the United States.
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Early Life and Education
Gordon Getty grew up in San Francisco, California. He went to St. Ignatius College Preparatory and then the University of San Francisco. He also earned a degree in music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Career in Business
Gordon Getty first joined the oil business to make his father happy. However, he later decided to sell the family's company, Getty Oil. In 1986, he sold it to Texaco for a huge amount of money, US$10 billion.
In 1983, Forbes magazine named him the richest person in America. His wealth was a little over US$2 billion at that time.
In 2002, Getty started a company called ReFlow. This company helps mutual funds save money on taxes and fees by temporarily buying shares from them.
Classical Music Compositions
Besides his business career, Gordon Getty is also a talented classical music composer. He has written many different types of music.
Some of his well-known works include the opera Plump Jack and Joan and the Bells. He has also composed pieces for piano and many choral works. His one-act opera, Usher House, was performed by the San Francisco Opera in 2015.
In the mid-1970s, Getty studied to become an opera singer. He learned from Louise Caselotti, a voice teacher who had also taught the famous singer Maria Callas.
Gordon and his wife have given a lot of support to the arts. They have especially helped fund productions for the San Francisco Opera and the Russian National Orchestra.
Getty's opera, The Canterville Ghost, was first performed on May 9, 2015. This premiere took place at the Leipzig Opera in Germany.
Personal Life
Gordon Getty married Ann Gilbert on Christmas Day in 1964. They were married in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ann Getty passed away in 2020.
Gordon and Ann Getty lived in a beautiful yellow mansion in San Francisco. Their home had amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. Over the years, they bought the houses next door to expand their living space. This gave Gordon more room for his piano work.
The Gettys often hosted charity events and fundraisers at their home. They welcomed opera stars and politicians, including Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom. Gavin Newsom's father, William Newsom, was a friend of Gordon's since high school. He managed the Getty family trust for many years.
Gordon Getty has seven children. The assets of his family are managed by a company called Vallejo Investments. This company is a "family office," which means it has a team of experts like lawyers and accountants. They help manage the family's money.
Gordon Getty has also made many generous donations to the University of San Francisco. His gifts helped build important centers on campus. These include the Koret Health & Recreation Center and the John Lo Schiavo, S.J. Center for Science & Innovation. He also helped create the J. Paul Getty Honors College Fund.
Honors and Awards
Gordon Getty has received several awards for his contributions:
- 1986 – Outstanding American Composer, from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
- 2003 – Gold Baton, from the League of American Orchestras
- 2015 – University of San Francisco Alumnus of the Year
- 2023 – San Francisco Conservatory of Music Dinner in his Honor
List of Works
Gordon Getty has composed many musical pieces, including:
Cantata and Opera
- 2015 - The Canterville Ghost
- 2014 - Usher House
- Joan and the Bells
- Plump Jack
Chamber Works
- Traditional Pieces
Choral Works
- Annabel Lee
- Ballet Russe
- Beauty Come Dancing
- La Belle Dame sans Merci
- For a Dead Lady
- The Little Match Girl
- The Old Man in the Night
- A Prayer for My Daughter
- There Was A Naughty Boy
- Those Who Love
- Three Christmas Carols
- Victorian Scenes
- Young America
Orchestral Works
- Ancestor Suite
- Homework Suite
- Overture to Plump Jack
- Traditional Pieces
Piano Works
- Ancestor Suite
- Andantino
- First Adventure
- Homework Suite
- Scherzo Pensieroso
- Traditional Pieces
Songs
- Four Dickinson Songs
- Hostess's Aria
- No My Good Lord
- Poor Peter
- A Prayer for My Daughter
- Where is My Lady
- The White Election
Discography
Gordon Getty's music has been released on many albums, mostly with the PENTATONE label. Some of these include:
- An American Song Album (2019)
- Beauty Come Dancing (2018)
- A Certain Slant of Light (2018)
- The Canterville Ghost (2017)
- Out of the Shadows: Rediscovered American Art Song (2016)
- The Little Match Girl (2015)
- December Celebration: New Carols by Seven American Composers (2015)
- Usher House (2013)
- Piano Pieces (2013)
- The Hours Begin to Sing (2013)
- Orchestral Works (2010)
- Plump Jack (2012)
- The White Election (2009)
- And if the song be worth a smile (2008)
- Young America Choral Works (2005)
- Joan and the bells & Serge Prokofiev – Romeo and Juliet (2003)
