What was John Arrillaga's Net Worth?
John Arrillaga, an American real estate mogul and philanthropist, had an impressive net worth of $2.5 billion at the time of his passing in January 2022. As one of the largest landowners in Silicon Valley, Arrillaga owned over 20 million square feet of commercial real estate.
Early Life and Education
Born on April 3, 1937, to a family of Basque descent, John Arrillaga attended Stanford University on a basketball scholarship. He was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity during his college years. After graduating in the 1960s, he formed a partnership with Richard Peery.
Career Achievements
Together, Arrillaga and Peery bought California farmland near Stanford University, converting it into office space. Over the decades, they became among the most prominent commercial landlords in Silicon Valley, amassing more than 20 million square feet of property.
Philanthropy
John Arrillaga was a generous philanthropist, notably donating $151 million to Stanford University—the largest amount ever received by the university from a living donor. He had previously donated $100 million to the school. In recognition of his contributions, Stanford named several buildings after Arrillaga and his family, including the alumni center and the athletic center.
Personal Life
John married Frances Cook Arrillaga in 1968, and their union lasted until Frances's death in 1995. The couple had two children. Their daughter, Laura Arrillaga, is married to Silicon Valley luminary Marc Andreessen.
