Charles Koch Biography: Children, Wife, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height

Charles de Ganahl Koch, famously known as Charles Koch, is an American billionaire businessman who has served as the co-owner, chairman, and CEO of Koch Industries since 1967.

Founded by his father, Fred C. Koch, in 1940, the company is now the second-largest privately held enterprise in the United States.

Under Charles’s leadership, its estimated value has expanded from $21 million to over $100 billion.

Profile

• Full Name: Charles de Ganahl Koch
• Stage Name: Charles Koch
• Born: 1, November 1935
• Age: 89 years old
• Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Businessman
• Height: 1.7m
• Parent: Clementine Mary and Fred Chase Koch
• Siblings: David Koch, Bill Koch, and Frederick R. Koch
• Spouse: Liz Koch
• Children: Chase Koch and Elizabeth Koch
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $67.5 billion

Early Life And Education

Charles de Ganahl Koch was born on November 1, 1935, in Wichita, Kansas, USA. He was raised by his parents, Clementine Mary and Fred Chase Koch, alongside his siblings, David, Bill, and Frederick R. Koch.

Koch studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a Bachelor of Science in general engineering in 1957, a Master of Science in nuclear engineering in 1958, and another in chemical engineering in 1959. He is of Dutch descent through his paternal grandfather and is irreligious.

Career

Charles Koch began his career at Rock Island Oil & Refining Company (now Koch Industries) in 1961 after briefly working as a consultant for Arthur D. Little. He initially served as vice president of Koch Engineering from 1961 to 1963 before becoming its president, a role he held until 1971.

In 1966, he was appointed company president, demonstrating his leadership and vision for expansion. Following his father’s passing in 1967, Koch took on the chairman and CEO roles at 32.

A year later, he renamed the company Koch Industries in honor of his father. Under his leadership, the company significantly expanded and diversified its operations, growing beyond oil refining into industries such as chemicals, fertilizers, polymers, fibers, and glass.

His strategic acquisitions and investments transformed Koch Industries into one of the largest privately held companies in the United States.

Koch’s tenure saw the company venture into media and other sectors while maintaining a strong presence in its core industries.

In March 2023, Koch Industries announced a leadership restructuring. Charles Koch remained chairman and took on the role of co-CEO alongside Dave Robertson. This transition reflected his commitment to the company’s long-term stability and continued growth.

Social Media

• Facebook handle: Charles G. Koch

Personal Life

Charles Koch married his wife, Liz Koch, in 1972. The couple has built a strong partnership over the decades. They have two children, Chase Koch and Elizabeth Koch.

Chase has followed in his father’s footsteps, taking on leadership roles within Koch Industries, while Elizabeth has pursued a career as a writer and entrepreneur. Despite his immense business success, Koch has maintained a private family life, keeping personal matters out of the public eye.

Net Worth

Charles Koch’s net worth was estimated at $67.5 billion, ranking him as the 23rd richest person globally and elevating him to the 22nd on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. These figures highlight the significant growth of Koch Industries under his leadership.