What is John Doerr’s Net Worth?

John Doerr, a prominent venture capitalist and chairman of Kleiner Perkins, has an estimated net worth of $11.9 billion. Doerr’s fortune primarily stems from his successful investments in major tech companies through Kleiner Perkins. He played a crucial role in backing industry giants such as Google (now Alphabet), Amazon, and Twitter during their early stages. His stake in Alphabet alone, approximately 0.4% of the company’s shares, contributes substantially to his net worth.Doerr also holds stakes in numerous private ventures and has personal investments outside of Kleiner Perkins.

Doerr and his wife Ann are known for their philanthropic efforts, having signed the Giving Pledge in 2010, committing to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes within their lifetime.

Here’s the breakdown of John Doerr’s net worth:

Name:	John Doerr
Net Worth:	$11.9 Billion
Date of Birth:	June 29, 1951
Profession:	Venture capitalist

If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.

John Doerr Net Worth

Early Life and Education

John Doerr was born on June 29, 1951, in St. Louis, Missouri, into a middle-class family. As one of five siblings, Doerr’s early years were shaped by his entrepreneurial father, who served as an inspiration for his future career. Doerr began his study at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis, where he graduated before pursuing higher education.

After that, Doerr went to Rice University, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering. Following his time at Rice, Doerr obtained an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1976.

Career

In 1974, John Doerr joined Intel Corporation, just as the company was developing its groundbreaking 8080 8-bit microprocessor. At Intel, Doerr quickly distinguished himself, holding various positions in engineering, marketing, and management. He eventually became one of Intel’s most successful salespeople.

In 1980, Doerr joined Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers (now known as Kleiner Perkins), a decision that would ultimately lead to his immense wealth. Throughout his career, Doerr has been instrumental in directing venture capital funding to some of the most successful technology companies in the world. His investment portfolio includes industry giants such as Compaq, Netscape, Symantec, Sun Microsystems, Amazon, Google, and Twitter.

Doerr has also served on the boards of several major companies, including Google, Amazon, and Intuit. In 2009, he was appointed to the USA Economic Recovery Advisory Board by President Barack Obama.

Kleiner Perkins

Doerr joined the firm in 1980, initially with the intention of securing funding for his own planned company, Silicon Compilers. However, Doerr’s role at Kleiner Perkins quickly evolved, and he became one of the firm’s most prominent partners.

At Kleiner Perkins, Doerr has been instrumental in identifying and investing in some of the most transformative companies of the digital age. His ability to spot potential in emerging technologies and visionary entrepreneurs has been a key factor in building his substantial net worth. Notable investments include early stakes in Google (now Alphabet), Amazon, and Twitter, which have grown exponentially over the years.

Doerr’s leadership at Kleiner Perkins extends beyond individual investments. He has played a crucial role in shaping the firm’s investment strategy, particularly in the areas of technology and clean energy. In the early 2000s, Doerr led Kleiner Perkins to invest heavily in clean technology companies, although this initiative faced challenges due to changing market conditions.

Despite stepping down from his leadership role at Kleiner Perkins in 2016, Doerr remains involved with the firm and continues to influence its direction.

Philanthropy

John Doerr and his wife Ann have made significant philanthropic contributions. In 2010, the Doerrs signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of their wealth to charitable causes within their lifetime. Their philanthropic efforts are primarily channeled through the Benificus Foundation, established in 1997, which focuses on key areas such as education reform, climate change, and global development.

One of the most notable philanthropic actions by the Doerrs was their record-breaking $1.1 billion donation to Stanford University in 2022. This gift, the largest in Stanford’s history and the second-largest ever to an academic institution, established the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

The Benificus Foundation, while maintaining a low profile, has supported various causes over the years. These include donations to homeless shelters, food banks, hospitals, and public health groups. The foundation has also made significant contributions to educational initiatives, such as the Khan Academy, and environmental organizations like the Environmental Defense Fund.

Personal Life

Doerr is married to Ann Howland Doerr, and they have two children.

The family resides in Woodside, California. Ann Doerr is not just a partner in John’s philanthropic efforts but is also actively involved in various causes. She chairs Khan Academy, sits on the board of the Environmental Defense Fund, and is the president of the Benificus Foundation.

Doerr has shown a passion for addressing global challenges. He is particularly interested in working on breakthroughs to prevent avian flu and global infectious diseases.

He has also cultivated relationships with many of the tech industry’s most influential figures, including Steve Jobs, with whom he developed a close friendship despite initially turning down an investment opportunity in NeXT.