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| Born | Julia Margaret Flesher April 12, 1962 |
| Education | University of Central Arkansas |
| Occupations | Socialite , philanthropist |
| Title | President of David H. Koch Foundation |
| Spouse | David Koch (m. 1996; died 2019) |
| Children | 3 |
Julia Margaret Flesher Koch (born April 12, 1962) is an American socialite, philanthropist, and one of the wealthiest women in the world. As of September 2024, her fortune exceeded $74 billion, largely inherited from her late husband, David Koch, a billionaire industrialist and philanthropist who passed away in 2019.
Early Life and Education
Julia Flesher was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Margaret and Frederic Flesher, owners of a furniture business. Her family had agricultural roots before transitioning to retail. Julia spent her early years in Indianola, Iowa, but the family later moved to Conway, Arkansas, where her parents operated a boutique clothing store. Julia described it as a "beautiful shop."
After completing high school, Julia attended the University of Central Arkansas. In 1984, she relocated to New York City, where she worked as an assistant to fashion designer Adolfo and participated in fittings for high-profile clients such as Nancy Reagan.
Marriage and Family
Julia met David Koch on a blind date in January 1991. Though their first interaction did not lead to a relationship, they reconnected later that year at a party. The couple began dating, and Julia eventually left her job in 1993. They married in 1996 in Southampton, New York, and had three children together: David Jr., Mary Julia, and John Mark. Mary Julia, a Harvard University graduate, has pursued a career in journalism.
Following David Koch's death in 2019, Julia and her children inherited a 42% stake in Koch Industries, one of the largest privately held companies in the United States.
Residences and Lifestyle
The Kochs lived in several opulent properties, including an apartment at 1040 Fifth Avenue before moving to a 740 Park Avenue duplex purchased from the Japanese government. This iconic apartment became their primary Manhattan residence until Julia listed it for sale in 2022. The family also acquired a townhouse in Manhattan and owned homes in Southampton and Palm Beach, Florida. Julia spends more time in these homes following her husband's passing.
Philanthropy
Julia Koch is deeply involved in philanthropy and heads the David H. Koch Foundation, which has donated over $200 million to causes such as science, medical research, and the arts. She also founded the Julia Koch Family Foundation to support healthcare, cultural, and educational initiatives.
Significant contributions include:
- A $10 million gift to Mount Sinai Medical Center for food allergy research.
- Establishing the David & Julia Koch Research Clinic for allergy and asthma at Stanford University.
- A $75 million donation in 2024 to NYU Langone for a medical office tower in Palm Beach, Florida.
During her marriage, Julia and David Koch donated $1.2 billion to various institutions, including Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
Public Engagements
Julia is a member of several prestigious boards, including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Venetian Heritage Foundation. She was also formerly on the board of the School of American Ballet. Known for her low public profile, Julia focuses on continuing her husband’s philanthropic legacy while supporting her family’s business and charitable endeavors.
wealth
Julia Margaret Flesher Koch's wealth is predominantly derived from her 42% stake in Koch Industries, inherited after the death of her husband, David Koch, in 2019. As of September 2024, Forbes estimated her net worth at over $74 billion, placing her among the richest women in the world. Koch Industries, a multinational conglomerate involved in industries such as energy, chemicals, and consumer goods, is one of the largest privately held companies globally.
This immense wealth not only cements her position in the upper echelons of global billionaires but also enables significant philanthropic endeavors through the David H. Koch Foundation and the Julia Koch Family Foundation. These organizations focus on science, education, healthcare, and the arts. Julia's financial influence also supports cultural and medical research institutions, reinforcing her impact beyond business.
References
- Farrell, P. (2023) Julia Flesher, David Koch’s wife: 5 fast facts you need to know, Heavy Sports. Available at: https://heavy.com/news/2019/08/david-koch-wife-julia-flesher/ (Accessed: 09 January 2025).
- How Julia Koch became one of the richest women in the world (2022a) South China Morning Post. Available at: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3171542/how-julia-koch-became-one-richest-women-world-widow (Accessed: 09 January 2025).
- How Julia Koch became one of the richest women in the world (2022b) South China Morning Post. Available at: https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3171542/how-julia-koch-became-one-richest-women-world-widow (Accessed: 09 January 2025).
- Income, N. (2024) Big deal: Julia Koch Stake in BSE Global Values Nets, liberty, Barclays at $6 Billion, NetsDaily. Available at: https://www.netsdaily.com/2024/6/18/24180147/big-deal-julia-koch-purchase-of-15-of-bse-global-values-nets-liberty-barclays-center-at-6-billion (Accessed: 09 January 2025).
