| Who is it? | Founder and Chairman, Sobrato Development Cos. |
| Birth Year | 1939 |
| Birth Place | Atherton, California, United States |
| Age | 84 YEARS OLD |
| Residence | Atherton, California, US |
| Alma mater | Santa Clara University |
| Occupation | Founder and chairman, The Sobrato Organization |
| Parent(s) | John Mossimo Ann Sobrato |
John A. Sobrato, renowned as the Founder and Chairman of Sobrato Development Cos. in the United States, is a prominent figure in the business world. As of 2024, his remarkable success has propelled his net worth to an astonishing $6.7 billion, solidifying his position among the wealthiest individuals in the country. With his visionary leadership and strategic decision-making, Sobrato has built a formidable empire in the real estate and property development industries. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, has made Sobrato Development Cos. a trusted name synonymous with excellence. Through his relentless pursuit of excellence, John A. Sobrato continues to shape and redefine the real estate landscape, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Sobrato's Father, John Mossimo Sobrato, owned a popular San Francisco restaurant, John's Rendezvous. After his death in 1952, Sobrato's mother, Ann Sobrato, sold the restaurant and used the proceeds to begin investing in real estate.
Sobrato began his own real estate investing in 1957, while still in college at Santa Clara University. Beginning in 1972 he worked closely with another successful Silicon Valley investor, Carl Berg, for many years. He founded the Sobrato Organization in 1979; his son, John Michael Sobrato, took over leadership of the company in 1998. The company grew to hold more than 110 commercial buildings and more than 30 apartment complexes. In 2013, both Father and son announced that they were moving away from managing the operations of the company to focus on charitable activities.
Sobrato and his son have both signed on the Warren Buffett's Giving Pledge to donate their wealth for charitable purposes. By the close of 2014, the Sobrato Philanthropies (which encompass the Sobrato Family Foundation, family-directed giving, and corporate giving through The Sobrato Organization) had given more than $314 million in money and property. Major beneficiaries have included Santa Clara University, Sobrato High School, and Bellarmine College Preparatory. In 2015, he and is wife offered the biggest ever individual pledge to the University of San Francisco, worth $15 million.
