John A. Sobrato | $1B+

Billionaire

Nov 19

Get in touch with John A. Sobrato | John A. Sobrato, founder of the Sobrato Organization, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential real estate developers, building a multibillion-dollar portfolio that houses many of the world’s leading technology companies. After selling one of the Bay Area’s earliest tech office parks in the 1970s, he expanded aggressively into commercial and multifamily properties across the region, creating a dominant privately held enterprise now managed alongside the second generation. A dedicated philanthropist, Sobrato has devoted much of his wealth to education, housing, and community development, with the family pledging to give away the majority of its net worth, solidifying his impact on both the business and social fabric of Northern California.

John Albert Sobrato (born May 23, 1939)[1] is an American billionaire real estate developer, and the founder of the Cupertino, California-based Sobrato Organization, a Silicon Valley development firm specializing in commercial and residential real estate.[3] He has been listed as one of the richest Americans for many years, and he and his family have made large philanthropic donations to a variety of causes.
Early life
John Sobrato was born to his father, Italian immigrant John Mossimo Sobrato (1895–1952), and his American-born mother of Italian descent, Ann Ainardi (1915–2000).[4] Sobrato's parents met in Italy in the 1930s when his father returned to his hometown seeking a wife; they married in 1938, even though he was 20 years her senior.[5] Sobrato's father owned a popular San Francisco restaurant, John's Rendezvous.[4] After his father's death from cancer in 1952, Sobrato's mother sold the restaurant and used the proceeds to begin investing in real estate.[6]
Career
Sobrato began his own real estate investing in 1958, while still in college at Santa Clara University.[7] Beginning in 1972 he worked closely with another successful Silicon Valley investor, Carl Berg, for many years.[8] 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.[3][9]
Sobrato and his family were listed at #110 on the 2014 Forbes 400 list with an estimated net worth of $4.8 billion, and at #340 on The World's Billionaires list as of May 10, 2014.[10] As of October 2025, Forbes estimates their net worth at $6.4 billion.[10]
Sobrato and his son have both signed 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.[12] As of 2025, Sobrato Philanthropies has donated nearly $1.5 billion, with annual giving exceeding $100 million since around 2023 and a 2025 commitment representing more than 25% of its philanthropic assets.[13][14][15] In 2025, Sobrato's daughter Lisa Sobrato Sonsini and her husband Matthew Sonsini also signed the Giving Pledge.[7] Major beneficiaries have included Santa Clara University,[12] Sobrato High School, and Bellarmine College Preparatory.[16] In 2015, he and his wife offered the biggest ever individual pledge to the University of San Francisco, worth $15 million.[17]
Personal life
Sobrato and his wife Susan live in Atherton, California.[18] Susan and John have been married since 1960.[19] They have three children, John Michael Sobrato, Sheri Sobrato Brisson, and Lisa Sobrato Sonsini, five grandsons, two granddaughters, and two great-grandchildren.[19] His son John M. Sobrato is a minority owner of the San Francisco 49ers.

Disclaimer: This profile is based on publicly available information. No endorsement or affiliation is implied.

Join UHNWI direct Affiliate Program

Earn Passive Income by Sharing Verified Contact Information of Billionaires, Centi-Millionaires, and Multi-Millionaires on the UHNWI Direct Platform

Maximize your earnings potential by sharing direct and validated contact information of the ultra-wealthy, including billionaires, centi-millionaires, and multi-millionaires. Join the UHNWI Direct platform and tap into a lucrative passive income stream by providing valuable data to those seeking high-net-worth connections. Start earning today with UHNWI Direct.

Apply to Join Affiliate Program

You may also be interested in reviewing other UHNWIs profiles.

To find the person you want to contact, start typing their name or other relevant tags in the search bar.

Please note: Our database contains over 10,000 direct contacts of UHNWIs, and it is highly likely that the individual you are seeking is already included. However, creating individual profiles for each contact is a meticulous and time-intensive process, So, if you are unable to find the profile of the individual you are looking for, please click here.

Filter by Net Worth: All | Billionaires | Centi-Millionaires | Multi-Millionaires

Filter by Age: 1920-1930 | 1930-1940 | 1940-1950 | 1950-1960 | 1960-1970 | 1970-1980 | 1980-1990 | 1990-2000

Filter by: Men | Women

Related People

UHNWI direct

John A. Sobrato | $1B+

John A. Sobrato, founder of the Sobrato Organization, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential real estate developers, building a multibillion-dollar portfolio that houses many of the world’s leading technology companies. After selling one of the Bay Area’s earliest tech office parks in the 1970s, he expanded aggressively into commercial and multifamily properties across the region, creating a dominant privately held enterprise now managed alongside the second generation. A dedicated philanthropist, Sobrato has devoted much of his wealth to education, housing, and community development, with the family pledging to give away the majority of its net worth, solidifying his impact on both the business and social fabric of Northern California.

Jerry Speyer | $1B+

Jerry Speyer, cofounder and chairman of Tishman Speyer, is one of the most influential real estate developers of the modern era, shaping skylines across New York, major U.S. cities, and global financial hubs. Since launching the firm in 1978 with his father-in-law, Robert Tishman, Speyer has overseen iconic projects such as Rockefeller Center, the MetLife Building, and Frankfurt’s MesseTurm, while expanding the company’s portfolio to more than 200 million square feet of office, residential, and mixed-use assets worldwide. Known for his disciplined investment approach, civic leadership, and long-term urban vision, Speyer remains a defining figure in institutional real estate.

Jeff Sutton | $1B+

Jeff Sutton, founder and president of Wharton Properties, is one of New York City’s most powerful retail real estate owners, known for assembling a blue-chip portfolio through off-market deals and long-term tenant relationships. Starting from modest beginnings, he built his empire by securing prime Manhattan corners and partnering with luxury brands and national retailers such as Nike, Zara, and American Eagle. Sutton’s strategy—favoring ground-floor retail in irreplaceable locations and maintaining conservative leverage—has made Wharton Properties a dominant force in high-street retail and one of the most valuable privately held real estate portfolios in the city.

Jay Paul | $1B+

Jay Paul, founder of the Jay Paul Company, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential and discreet real estate developers, known for creating some of the region’s most valuable and sought-after corporate campuses. Since the 1970s, he has transformed underutilized land into cutting-edge office complexes occupied by tech giants such as Google, Amazon, and Apple, while reshaping skylines with projects like San Francisco’s landmark 181 Fremont tower. Renowned for his long-term vision, premium building standards, and exceptional tenant relationships, Paul has built a multibillion-dollar empire that underpins the infrastructure of the modern tech economy—all while maintaining a notably private personal profile.

Igor Olenicoff | $1B+

Igor Olenicoff, billionaire real estate developer, is the founder and owner of Olen Properties, a privately held company with a vast portfolio of commercial and residential properties across the United States. Based in Newport Beach, California, Olen Properties controls tens of millions of square feet of office space and thousands of rental units, with a strong presence in California and Florida. Known for his aggressive growth and hands-on management style, Olenicoff has built one of the nation’s largest private real estate empires while maintaining a low public profile.

Roy Carroll, II | $1B+

Roy Carroll II, founder, president, and CEO of The Carroll Companies, has built a diversified real estate empire spanning multifamily housing, commercial developments, self-storage, and luxury communities. Based in Greensboro, North Carolina, the privately held company oversees billions in assets with projects across the Southeastern United States. Known for his entrepreneurial drive and long-term investment vision, Carroll has positioned his firm as a leader in regional real estate while also supporting civic and philanthropic initiatives that strengthen local communities.

David Simon | $100M+

David Simon, chairman, CEO, and president of Simon Property Group, has led the company to become the largest shopping mall operator in the United States and a global leader in retail real estate. Taking over leadership in the mid-1990s, he steered the Indianapolis-based firm through major acquisitions, including the purchase of Taubman Centers, and successfully navigated challenges posed by e-commerce and shifting consumer trends. Under his guidance, Simon Property Group has maintained dominance with hundreds of malls and premium outlets, while Simon himself has earned a reputation as one of the most influential executives in American real estate.

Herb Simon | $1B+

Herbert Simon, billionaire real estate developer, is chairman emeritus of Simon Property Group, the largest shopping mall operator in the United States. Alongside his late brother Melvin, he expanded the Indianapolis-based company into a global retail real estate powerhouse, with hundreds of malls and premium outlets worldwide. Under his leadership, Simon Property Group grew into a publicly traded giant and a bellwether of the retail industry. Beyond real estate, Simon is also known as owner of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and as a philanthropist supporting education, culture, and community development.

George Marcus | $1B+

George Marcus, Greek-American real estate mogul, is the founder and chairman of Marcus & Millichap, one of the largest commercial real estate brokerage firms in the United States. Since launching the company in 1971, he has expanded it into a nationwide powerhouse specializing in investment sales, financing, research, and advisory services. Beyond brokerage, Marcus also cofounded Essex Property Trust, a publicly traded REIT focused on West Coast multifamily housing, cementing his influence across both transactional and ownership sides of the real estate industry.

David Walentas | $1B+

David Walentas is the self-made real estate developer behind Two Trees Management, the Brooklyn firm that transformed Dumbo and Williamsburg from industrial decline into high-end residential and creative districts. A University of Virginia alumnus, Walentas began with a small Manhattan partnership in 1968 and leveraged $12 million to acquire nearly 2 million sq ft in Dumbo, reshaping it through bold vision and rezoning advocacy.

David Lichtenstein | $1B+

David Lichtenstein is a self-made real estate billionaire who founded The Lightstone Group in 1988. He began with a single multifamily unit and grew his firm into a diversified empire—owning 25,000 apartments and over 15 million sq ft of retail, industrial, hotel & life-sciences properties across 25+ states, with more than $9 billion in managed assets. He led major deals such as acquiring Prime Retail malls ($638 M) and Extended Stay Hotels ($8.1 B) and is active in civic service and board leadership across New York institutions.

David Hoffmann | $1B+

David Hoffmann founded and served as long-time chairman of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, a global multi-sector family office managing over 200 businesses in real estate, hospitality, logistics, agriculture, media, and more. A self-made billionaire who began DHR International—now the world’s largest privately held executive search firm—after mortgaging his house, Hoffmann has used his wealth to revitalize communities like Augusta, Missouri.

Charles Cohen | $1B+

Charles S. Cohen is a billionaire real estate developer and film industry entrepreneur who transformed Cohen Brothers Realty—founded by his family—into a 12 million sq ft commercial portfolio spanning Manhattan, Los Angeles, Houston, and Florida. He also founded the Cohen Media Group in 2008 to preserve and distribute independent and French films, eventually acquiring iconic arthouse theater chains like Landmark Theatres and Curzon Cinemas.

Bruce Toll | $1B+

Bruce Toll co‑founded Toll Brothers in 1967 with his brother Robert, turning it into a Fortune 500 homebuilder specializing in luxury housing across 24 states. As vice chairman—and principal of family office BET Investments—he now manages a real estate empire spanning six million sq ft of commercial space, 3,000 apartments, automotive dealerships, biotech ventures, and a portfolio reaching billionaire status.

Bernard Saul, II | $1B+

Bernard Saul, II is an American billionaire and real estate entrepreneur, serving as Chairman & CEO of Saul Centers since 1993. An heir to the historic B.F. Saul Company—a mortgage and property firm founded in 1892—he transformed the legacy business into a publicly traded REIT managing 9 million sq ft across Washington DC–area office and retail properties, and sold Chevy Chase Bank to Capital One in 2009.

Ben Ashkenazy | $1B+

Ben Ashkenazy is an Israeli‑American real estate billionaire who founded Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation in 1987, now overseeing a $12 billion global property portfolio. Known for strategic landmark deals like stakes in New York’s Plaza Hotel, Boston’s Faneuil Hall, and London’s Grosvenor House, he’s raised fresh capital to pursue discounted acquisitions—cementing his reputation as a bold, shrewd titan in commercial real estate.

Barry Sternlicht | $1B+

Barry Sternlicht is the billionaire founder, chairman & CEO of Starwood Capital Group and Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), overseeing over $120 billion in global real estate assets. He also founded Starwood Hotels, creating iconic brands like W Hotels and St. Regis. A passionate industry leader, he’s known for blending revenue-driven growth with hands-on hospitality strategy—and for his vocal views on market cycles and Fed policy.

Axel Stawski | $1B+

Axel Stawski is an American billionaire real estate developer and founder of Stawski Partners, a New York City–based firm. A Holocaust survivor’s son with a PhD in international law, he has built a portfolio of Manhattan office buildings and luxury condos since 1973, including the notable 565 Fifth Avenue. His low-profile but focused approach continues to shape prime urban real estate.

Arturo Moreno | $1B+

Arturo “Arte” Moreno is the first Mexican‑American to own a major U.S. sports franchise after purchasing the Anaheim Angels in 2003. A self‑made billionaire, he built his fortune in billboard advertising—expanding Outdoor Systems into an $8 billion sale—then transformed the Angels into a $2.7 billion-plus franchise. His leadership spans sports, media and community investment.

UHNWI data is an independent wealth intelligence initiative led by a team of data researchers dedicated to building the world’s most comprehensive archive of individuals with a net worth exceeding $100 million. We believe in open access to structured knowledge — freely available, meticulously curated, and ethically maintained. This work is complex, time-intensive, and demands significant resources. If you find value in what we do, we invite you to support our mission with a donation. Your contribution helps preserve the independence, depth, and lasting impact of this unique research project.

$5.00

$10.00

$20.00

$30.00

$50.00

$100.00

Custom Amount

Support us by covering the fees we have to pay

3% Cover the Fee

Marketing Tools

Essential marketing tools to effectively engage wealthy individuals, tailored to meet any personal, marketing, or sales objectives.

Use tags below for more precise targeting.

UHNWI data https://www.uhnwidata.com/

John A. Sobrato | $1B+

Join UHNWI direct Affiliate Program

Earn Passive Income by Sharing Verified Contact Information of Billionaires, Centi-Millionaires, and Multi-Millionaires on the UHNWI Direct Platform

You may also be interested in reviewing other UHNWIs profiles.

Related People

Support our Research

Marketing Tools

Essential marketing tools to effectively engage wealthy individuals, tailored to meet any personal, marketing, or sales objectives.

Use tags below for more precise targeting.

John Arnold | $1B+

Joel Greenberg | $1B+