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German-American oil magnate and philanthropist, John Davison Rockefeller net worth is estimated at $11 billion. With their current net worth, the Rockefeller family is considered as the 22nd richest family in the world in 2015.

One of the richest Americans in history, John D. Rockefeller was the founder of the Standard Oil Company and, later, a philanthropist whose wealth bankrolled the Rockefeller Foundation. Hard-working and meticulous, Rockefeller started out small and then made his fortune via hard-nosed and sometimes controversial business tactics, which have since made him an entrepreneurial hero to some, a greedy fiend in the eyes of others.

He started in the oil business, and by the end of the century the Standard Oil Trust controlled so many other interests that it fell afoul of anti-trust laws. In 1911 the U.S. Supreme Court called Standard Oil a monopoly and forced the Trust to separate into competing companies. By that time Rockefeller himself was no longer involved in running the business, having devoted himself completely to philanthropy since 1896. He gave away millions to schools, health organizations and civic projects through the Rockefeller Foundation, which endures today. John D. Rockefeller gave away $540 million over his lifetime (in dollar terms of that time), and became the greatest lay benefactor of medicine in history.

Born July 8, 1839 in Richford, New York, United States, died May 23, 1937 (aged 97).

Earnings & Financial Data

Date

Category

Description

Amount

1913

Earnings

Earnings from his investments

$58,000,000