Gordon Peter Getty, born on the 20th December 1933, is an American composer, businessman and philanthropist who became famous for his classical compositions such as “Plump Jack” and “Usher House”, and for his various businesses.
So how much is Getty’s net worth? As of early 2017, based on authoritative sources it is reported to be $2.1 billion, acquired through his family’s wealth and businesses, his career as a composer and various other investments.
Gordon Getty Net Worth $2.1 billion
Born in Los Angeles, California, Getty is the son of businessman and oil tycoon J. Paul Getty and Ann Rork, a silent film actress. Early on in his life, he became used to a lavish lifestyle based on his father’s booming oil business. He attended St. Ignatius College Preparatory and later on the University of San Francisco, from where he graduated with a degree in English literature. Due to his love for classical music, he also studied at the San Francisco Conservatory where he earned a degree in music theory.
Getty’s career as a composer started in the 1960s, but despite some minor success, he was forced to join the family business led by his father. When his father passed away, he led the business for a while, but decided to sell it in 1986, Getty’s Oil becoming Texaco, for $10 billion. Clearly the earnings he gathered from the sale helped increase his net worth tremendously.
After selling the business, Getty once again focused on music, and started producing consistently in the ‘80s. Some of the pieces that he created included “The White Election” and “Plump Jack”. Because of his outstanding work in classical music, in 1986 he won the Outstanding American Composer Award at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Other notable pieces that he has composed include “Victorian Scenes”, “Annabel Lee”, “Young American”, “Three Welsh Songs”, “Joan and the Bells” among many others. His compositions have become recognized as classics, and have been played in various concert halls and venues around the world, including the Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Royal Festival Hall in London, Tschaikovsky Hall in Moscow and many more. His success as a composer has considerably boosted his wealth.
Aside from being a musician, Getty also continued to do business on the side. He founded the company ReFlow, wherein they buy shares in mutual funds so they can save some money from commissions and funds taxes. He also founded Rork Music, through which he publishes his own music. His various business and investments also add to his net worth.
In terms of his personal life, Getty is married to Ann Gilbert, who he tied the knot with in 1964.; together they have four children. He also has three other children to Cynthia Beck, a woman he had an affair with in the past.
Another endeavour that Getty is fond of is his charities. He is a known philanthropist and gives to charities through the Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, and has also helped various campaigns of Democratic politicians in the past, including John Kerry, Willie Brown and Nancy Pelosi to name a few.
Today, Getty is still active in his businesses and still composes music.
