David Murdock
Food and Beverage

David Murdock Net Worth

David Murdock was born on April 11, 1923 in Ventura, California, United States. He is the chairman of privately-held Dole Food Products and Castle & Cooke, and has controlled Dole since 1985. After serving in the army during World War II, he made a small profit buying and selling a diner, and later developed property in Arizona. Through Castle & Cooke holdings, he owns a collection of residential and commercial properties in Arizona, California, and Hawaii, as well as a collection of Arabian horses.
David Murdock is a member of Food and Beverage

Age, Biography and Wiki

Birth Day April 11, 1923
Birth Place Ventura, California, United States
Age 100 YEARS OLD
Birth Sign Taurus
Occupation Chairman and CEO of Dole Food Company Founder of the California Health and Longevity Institute (CHLI) Owner of Castle & Cooke --Owner of Pacific Clay
Spouse(s) Gabriele Murdock (m. 1967–1985) (widowed) Tracy Murdock (m. 1999)
Children Eugene Murdock (deceased) David Murdock Jr. (deceased) Justin Murdock

💰 Net worth: $2.3 Billion (2024)

David Murdock's net worth is estimated to be $2.3 billion in 2024. He is widely recognized as a prominent figure in the food and beverage industry in the United States. With a remarkable entrepreneurial journey, Murdock has built a substantial fortune through his involvement in various ventures. As a savvy businessman, he has successfully led and transformed several companies in the food industry, expanding their reach and boosting their profitability. With his astute decision-making skills and strategic vision, David Murdock has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the business landscape, solidifying his position as one of the most influential figures in the food and beverage sector.

2009 $3.7 Billion
2010 $2.7 Billion
2011 $2.7 Billion
2012 $2.4 Billion
2013 $2.4 Billion
2014 $3 Billion
2015 $2.9 Billion
2016 $2.6 Billion
2017 $2.7 Billion
2018 $2.05 Billion

Biography/Timeline

1923

Murdock was born on April 11, 1923, in Kansas City, Missouri. His Father was a traveling salesman, while his mother took up laundry and scrubbed floors to make ends meet. He is the middle child of three; he had two sisters. He was particularly close to his mother, who died at 42 from cancer. He grew up in Montgomery Township, Ohio, and dropped out of high school in the 9th grade. He was drafted by the United States Army in 1943 during World War II.

1960

When the real estate market collapsed in the 1960s, he moved to Los Angeles where he continued developing real estate opportunities, leading to a string of acquisitions. In 1978 he acquired control of International Mining. In early 1980s he became the largest shareholder in L.A. based Occidental Petroleum, by selling the corporation his 18% share of the Iowa Beef Packers company.

1982

Murdock owned Cannon Mills in Kannapolis, North Carolina, from 1982, after the death of Charles Cannon, until 1985, when he sold the company to Fieldcrest.

2003

He has helped contribute to the redevelopment of a 5,800,000-square-foot (540,000 m) complex in Kannapolis, North Carolina, of a biotechnology research center, the North Carolina Research Campus. The research center is a joint public-private venture, involving major North Carolina universities and private investment. The site of the research center in the middle of Kannapolis was formerly occupied by Plant #1 of Cannon Mills (which became Pillowtex after a series of mergers and acquisitions). Pillowtex filed for bankruptcy in 2003, and closed the mill. This resulted in the largest mass layoff of workers in North Carolina history. Murdock acquired the site and demolished the mill in 2006.

2006

Since the death of his third wife, Gabriele, he has been involved to finding a cure for cancer, advancing nutrition, and life extension. He established the Dole Nutrition Institute to advocate the benefits of a plant-based diet to promote health and prevent disease. With the help of UCLA, he oversaw the writing of the Encyclopedia of Foods, A Guide to Healthy Nutrition. In 2006, he opened the California Health and Longevity Institute (CHLI).

2013

He has been married five times. In 1967, he married his third wife, Gabriele; they had two children together and he also adopted her son from a previous marriage, Eugene. Gabriele was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1983 and died in 1985. A year later, Eugene died after hitting his head while swimming in the family estate's swimming pool. In 2004 his son David Jr. died in an auto accident on the Santa Monica Freeway. His remaining son Justin serves as CEO and executive chairman of NovaRx and is senior vice President of Investments for Castle & Cooke. Previously, he was a Director at the Dole Food Company, as well as their audit and Finance committee until his retirement on May 17, 2013. In 2011, Forbes ranked David Sr. as the 190th-richest person in the "Forbes 400" list and 613th in the "World's Billionaires" list, with a net worth of US$2.4 billion as of March 2013.

Some David Murdock images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.