Fortunes are made with man’s own will. This is true behind the success of Charles Koch. Charles de Ganahl Koch is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. Koch has been co-owner, chairman, and chief executive officer of Koch Industries since 1967. Koch Industries was established by Fred C. Koch, father of Charles Koch and his brother David Koch. It is the second-largest private company in the US. Koch has been the company head for the last 4 decades, taking the company to an altogether different dimension in terms of sales and revenue.

 

Charles Koch was born on November 1, 1935, in Wichita, Kansas, US. His ancestry has roots in Dutch, and his grandfather Harry Koch migrated to the US and settled in Texas. Koch studied at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology from where he graduated with several degrees in 1960.

 

He received his Bachelor of Science in General Engineering, Master of Science in Chemical and Mechanical Engineering. After his college, Koch started working with Arthur D. Little, Inc. In 1961, he left his job and moved in with his father for the family business. Years later, he was appointed as the President of the business.

 

Besides being called as a benefactor and an elusive bogeyman of the business, Koch supports several communities and educational societies, political and non-political organizations. He had been an active member of the Republican Party, Libertarian groups, Americans for Prosperity and different charities in the States.

 

His educational charities include institutes like Mercatus Center at George Mason University and the Institute for Humane Studies. Koch also started the Koch Cultural Trust along with his wife to support artists and creative professionals.

 

In his book, 'The Science of Success' which was published in 2007, Koch stressed the business strategies and his management policies on establishing any business. His business establishment, the Koch Industries, was originally an oil refining and chemicals company. However, with success at his side, Koch expanded the existing layout into different industrial sectors including minerals, fibers, forest and consumer products and process and pollution control equipment. The diversified company has some $110 billion in revenues from businesses including pipelines, chemicals, Dixie cups, and Stainmaster carpet.

 

Koch married his wife Liz in 1972 who has been firm support to him throughout the business and philanthropic activities. Although being such an influential personality, Koch prefers to keep a low profile. He has helped several startup companies and organizations to establish through his financial support and guidance.

 

Among the noted ones are the Bill of Rights Institute and the Market-Based Management Institute. Besides the educational societies and political groups, Koch is a member of the Mont Pelerin Society.

 

With over 42% stake in his organization, Koch has an estimated net worth of $44.9 billion. He was listed among the top influential and billionaires in the reputed Forbes magazine, bagging the 18th spot in 2020.

 

"I believe that cronyism is nothing more than welfare for the rich and powerful, and should be abolished." — Charles de Ganahl Koch