• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Dan Gilbert, Michigan’s richest man, didn’t start life with a silver spoons or a billion-dollar inheritance. Born into a Jewish family in Detroit, his father owned a local bar, and his grandfather ran a carwash. Gilbert showed his entrepreneurial flair early, at just 12 years old, he organised a neighbourhood pizza delivery service using kids on bikes. He continued to hustle through high school and college, delivering pizzas himself and earning a real estate license while studying law.

Gilbert graduated from Michigan State University and earned his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School. While studying, he worked part-time at his parents' Century 21 real estate agency. 

Founding Rock Financial And Building An Empire

In 1985, Gilbert co-founded Rock Financial with friends and his brother. Embracing the internet early, the company pioneered online mortgage lending. In 2000, Intuit Inc. acquired the firm and rebranded it as Quicken Loans. Just two years later, Gilbert bought it back with investors.

Quicken Loans, now known as Rocket Mortgage, soon became the largest retail mortgage lender in the US. In 2020, Rocket Companies went public on the New York Stock Exchange, with Gilbert retaining majority ownership of 79 per cent.

ALSO READ: Jaish-e-Mohammed Chief Masood Azhar's 10 Family Members Killed In Indian Strikes In Pakistan's Bahawalpur

Economic Revival 

In 2007, Gilbert committed to relocating Quicken’s headquarters to downtown Detroit. By 2010, 3,600 employees had moved into the city, marking the start of Gilbert’s significant role in Detroit’s economic revival. He has since invested billions into redeveloping downtown properties, playing a key role in the city’s comeback story.

Dan Gilbert's Net Worth

As of May 2025, Forbes valued his fortune at USD 22.5 billion, ranking him as the 88th wealthiest person globally. Meanwhile, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index placed him higher, estimating his net worth at USD 27.4 billion, making him the 71st richest person in the world.

Philanthropy And Personal Tragedy

Gilbert’s success hasn’t kept him from giving back. In 2012, he and his wife, Jennifer, joined The Giving Pledge, promising to donate half their wealth to philanthropy. His eldest son was born with neurofibromatosis and passed away in 2023 at the age of 26. In his memory, Gilbert has donated over USD 95 million to support research and treatment of the condition, establishing clinics in the US and Israel.

Dan Gilbert’s influence extends beyond finance. He has donated millions to political campaigns and academic institutions like Wayne State University and Michigan State University. He also serves on the boards of major hospitals and nonprofits.

ALSO READ:India's Strike On Pakistan: Why Operation Sindoor Stands Out Among Other Military Operations?

 

Also In News