Net assets, divorce and career

Quick facts

Full name: David Lawrence
Birth date: February 21, 1943
Nationality: American
Real -time network value: 7.7 billion US dollars (Forbes, May 2025)
Residence: Beverly Hills, California, USA
Main business: Entertainment, music production, film production, art investment
Industry: Music, film, art, real estate

Early life and education

David Lawrence was born on February 21, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, as the son of Jewish immigrants from the working class from British Palestine. His mother Batya opened and operated a corset shop while his father Abraham worked in retail but never found a steady financial success. Gefs grew up in a modest apartment and quickly developed the Street Smarts, Resilience and Charm, which would later define it.

Although there was greedy and ambitious, he fought academically – especially due to non -diagnosed dyslexia – and felt alienated at school. He completed the New Utrecht High School, but started both the University of Texas on Austin and the Santa Monica College shortly after the enrollment. The academy just didn't interest him. What has? Music, fame and strength. In the mid -1960s, Gefs with little more as a determination to Los Angeles and a dream to conquer the entertainment industry.

Beginnings

Founded his foot in the door how many entertainment legends: in the William Morris agency Mailroom. But in contrast to most, he logged in there – a university degree to meet the professional requirements. He landed in 1964, and within a few weeks his relentless work ethic and scary instincts for talents began to turn to the mind.

In the late 1960s he led groundbreaking singer-songwriters Laura NyroNegotiation of your Columbia Records Deal and learns the real power of publication rights. From there he expanded his customer list to indicate Joni MitchellPresent Crosby, Stills, Nash & YoungAnd Jackson Browne-Een role as a power player behind the scenes in folk rock boom.

Climb

1971 was founded co -founder Asy running drawings With Elliot Roberts, who built a label that became the sound of California Rock of the 1970s. It signed the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt and others. Warner Communications acquired asylum quickly, where the donations were retained in an executive role.

He started Gefs Records Megastars such as Donna Summer, Guns N 'Roses, Nirvana, Aerosmith and Elton John signed in 1980 under Warner. In 1990 he sold the label for 550 million US dollars of shares to MCA. When MCA was sold to Matsushita, his shares rose to value and used his first billion.

In 1994 he was a co -founder Dreamworks SKG with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg. The studio published hits like ShrekPresent Save private ryanAnd American beauty. Parts of DreamWorks were sold to Paramount and NBCuniversal, which made it even richer.

How he made his luck

Gefenses were built by music, films, art and real estate.
The most important companies include:

Asy running drawings (1971): Signed Folk-Rock's biggest names, later sold to Warner.
Gefs Records (1980): Home of rock, pop and grunge legends; Sold to MCA for 550 million US dollars.
Dreamworks SKG (1994): A historical film studio; Animation was later sold for USD 1.6 billion.
Art collection: Sold de Kooning's Exchange for 300 million US dollars and a pollock for $ 140 million.
Real estate: Has over 300 million US dollars of real estate, including a Malibu area, a NYC Penthouse and a applicant in Beverly Hills.
yacht: The Rising sunA 453-foot ship worth $ 590 million together with Larry Ellison.

Main benefits

Founded three cultural institutions: Asy running drawingsPresent Gefs RecordsAnd Dreamworks SKG
Halfed
Included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2010)
First openly gay billionaire in the United States
Produced Oscar-drawn films including American beauty And Save private ryan

Philanthropy and social effects

Donated 500 million dollars across sectors:

$ 100 million To the Medical Faculty of the UCLA, which is now named David Geffen School of Medicine
$ 150 million to the Lincoln Center, renamed David Giftfen Hall
Support for LGBTQ+ Rights, HIV/AIDS research and art education
Large contributions to MoMA, La County Museum of Art and Political Campaigns

Private life and interests

Long perceived as a bachelor, many shocked people when he married quietly Donovan Michaels (also known as David Armstrong), a 32-year-old former dancer and trainer, in March 2023. Although your relationship, although she is private, occasionally appeared on Geffen's Instagram and at top -class events.

In May 2025Prisoned for divorceReferring to an irreconcilable differences. TMZ confirmed that they had it No prenupAnd Gefs agreed to pay the support of spouses and legal costs. The date of the separation was listed as February 22, 2025. The celebrity is represented by a divorce lawyer Laura water.

He owns:

Discount in Malibu (10+ morning, $ 100 million+)
NYC Penthouse (Upper East Side, 70 million US dollars)
Beverly Hills House ($ 47.5 million)
Superyacht Rising Sun (82 rooms, USD 590 million)
Art collection ($ 2b+, including works by Pollock, Rothko, de Kooning)
Private jets and one of the most respected portfolio of modern art in the world in the world

Business philosophy and strategies

Gefs runs with instinct, loyalty and control. As is well known, he avoided spreadsheets and MBAs and instead based on feelings of intestinal feelings and relationships. He often said, “I only work with people I like.” He prioritized the ownership of the salary, used the awe and cultivated the loyalty of artists who trusted him.

Challenges and controversy

Public with the Clinton In 2007 about political differences
Business voltages with the co -founders of Dreamworks Spielberg and Katzenberg
Criticizes during the Covid 19 pandemic to publish luxury yacht photos during the Lockdown
In May 2025, A entered A public divorce The renewed media examination draws without prenup

Current focus and future plans

Despite the personal headlines, Gefs remains an active force in the media. In May 2025It was revealed that he supported A New Hollywood contents startup Led by former Netflix executives. The company focuses on films in possession of creators and AI-controlled streaming analyzes. While Gefs does not take on a leadership role, he acts as a strategic investor and consultant.

David Geffen Net Worth Worth

7.7 billion US dollars (Forbes real time, May 2025)

Favorite quote

“Anyone who believes that money makes you happy has no money.”

In the news

TMZ (May 18, 2025): After less than two years of before, David Geffen is a divorce by husband Donovan Michaels. No prenup; Marriage support ordered.
diversity (May 18, 2025): Gefs supports a Ki-Agant indie film studio founded by ex-netflix executives.
Hollywood reporter (May 2025): Gefs organizes private producers -evening dinner to discuss the role of AI in the future of the film.

People ask too

Was David Giftfen ever married?
Yes. He married Donovan Michaels in 2023 and applied for a divorce in 2025.

How long were Cher and David Giftfen together?
They dated briefly in the early 1970s and remained lifelong friends.

How is David Geffen so rich?
Via Record label sales, film studio -success, real estate and art investments. He is the founder of Asylum Records, Gefs Records and Dreamworks SKG.

Was Keanu Reeves married to David Gefen?
No, this rumor is unfounded and wrong. They were never romantic.