Charles Koch is a successful businessman and philanthropist who is globally recognized for his influence in the business world – and according to Forbes, he's the 13th richest person in the world, as of 2022.
In his youth, Koch attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he received degrees in engineering and business. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated exceptional business acumen as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Koch Industries. His role at Koch Industries expanded their footprint in various industries, including oil refining, chemicals, and textiles. Koch Industries is one of the biggest private companies in the world and was founded by Charles' father, Fred C. Koch, who passed in 1967. Charles' late brother David was Executive Vice President of Koch Industries, while his other brother Bill founded his own energy company, Oxbow.
Charles Koch is consistently featured on the Forbes 400 list, a tool that ranks the wealthiest people in the United States. As of the most recent list in 2022, Koch’s estimated net worth is $56 billion – down from his high of $60.6 billion in 2021. The Koch family collectively has $112 billion in assets, as Julia Koch, the wife of the late David Koch, is also on the Forbes 400 with a rank tied with Charles.
Koch is also known for his philanthropic endeavors, having donated large sums of money to certain causes, including education and cancer research. His charitable foundation is dedicated to the "well-being of mankind," according to the Society for Nonprofits, and has donated funds to the Bill of Rights Institute, the Institute for Humane Studies, and more than 150 universities around the United States. He has also been a strong advocate for criminal justice reform, particularly for research and development of the criminal justice system.
