David Walentas

David Walentas (#2079)

Global Rank #2079

Country Rank #684

Country United States

I just wanted to be a real estate developer. I was attracted to the ability to build stuff, to collect rent, to own it.

$ 2 B
Real estate
United States
M
87 Years

Snapshot

Quick Facts

Global Rank #2,079

Country Rank #684

Net Worth $2.0B

Previous Worth $2.0B

Worth Change +$0.0B

Country United States

Industry Real estate

Age 87 Years

Gender M

Worth As Of May 4, 2026

Residence New York, New York

Citizenship United States

World Billionaires List United States Billionaires Real estate

Profile Data

Personal Stats

Age 87

Source Of Wealth Real estate, Self Made

Self Made Score 10

Philanthropy Score 1

Residence New York, New York

Citizenship United States

Marital Status Widowed

Children 1

Education Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Virginia

Net Worth Change +$0.0B +0.0% from previous worth

Previous Net Worth $2.0B

Current Net Worth $2.0B

Worth as of May 4, 2026

About Me

David Walentas founded Two Trees Management, which is best known for transforming two Brooklyn neighborhoods, Dumbo and Williamsburg. Walentas owns over two dozen residential and commercial properties across Dumbo, Brooklyn Heights, Williamsburg and Manhattan. In the 1970s he borrowed $12 million to buy 2 million square feet of industrial buildings in an unpopular part of Brooklyn that later became Dumbo. He acquired the Domino Sugar refinery's 11 acres in Brooklyn for $185.5 million in 2012 and is remaking it; the first tower opened in 2017. Walentas works closely with his son Jed, who became CEO of Two Trees in 2011.

Achievements

Forbes List Highlights

A snapshot of the list placements and rankings connected to David Walentas.

#2052

Billionaires (2026)

#378

Forbes 400 (2020)

Insights

Did You Know?

Walentas grew up poor in Rochester, New York, milking cows and shoveling manure on a farm.

He was kicked out of Navy ROTC at the University of Virginia for "raising some hell" with a lady. He eventually became the first college graduate in his family.

Walentas has pledged $100 million to the University of Virginia, his alma mater, mostly to fund opportunities for first-generation students.

Wealth Growth

Net Worth Growth Over Time

Tracking David Walentas's net worth journey over the years, highlighting key growth phases and financial milestones.

Worth Trend Net Worth Growth

Period Change Worth Movement

Current Net Worth: $2.0B (May 4, 2026)