Date of Birth: May 3, 1940
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: August 23, 2019
Biography
David Hamilton Koch was an American businessman, philanthropist, political activist, and chemical engineer. Born into a wealthy and influential family, Koch was one of the four sons of Fred C. Koch, the founder of Koch Industries, the second-largest privately held company in the United States. David H. Koch joined the family business, eventually becoming the executive vice president. Known for his libertarian views, he ran as the Libertarian Party’s vice-presidential candidate in the 1980 U.S. presidential election. Beyond his business pursuits, Koch was a prominent philanthropist, donating billions to medical research, education, arts, and public policy organizations. His contributions to the cultural and scientific community, including substantial donations to the Lincoln Center and the Smithsonian Institution, cemented his legacy as a significant benefactor.
5 Interesting Facts about David H. Koch
1. David Koch was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1992 and subsequently became a significant donor to cancer research.
2. He held a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
3. In 1980, he was the Libertarian Party’s vice-presidential candidate, advocating for the abolition of Social Security, the FBI, the CIA, and public schools.
4. Koch was a major donor to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where the David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing is named in his honor.
5. He was one of the wealthiest men in the world, consistently ranking among the top ten richest individuals globally.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from David H. Koch
1. “I believe my business and non-profit investments are much more beneficial to societal well-being than sending more money to Washington.”
2. “You have to be true to yourself and true to your values.”
3. “The role of business is to produce goods and services for the public. It’s not to be a charitable organization.”
4. “My overall philosophy is to help people without coercing them.”
5. “Playing basketball, I learned to respect and value my teammates.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
David H. Koch’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $50.5 billion.
Children
David Koch had three children with his wife Julia Flesher Koch: David Jr., Mary Julia, and John Mark.
Relevant Links
1. [David Koch Biography on Biography.com](https://www.biography.com/business-figure/david-koch
2. [David Koch on Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/profile/david-koch/
4. [Koch Industries Official Website](https://www.kochind.com/
