NetWorth
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Booth
David Booth
Rank #1490
UNITED STATES•Finance & Investments•Mutual funds

David Booth

Net Worth
$2.787B
0% (24h)
David Booth, born in December 1946, is a prominent American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is best known as the co-founder and current Chairman of Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA), an investment firm that pioneered applying academic research to practical investing strategies. Booth's estimated net worth is $2.7 Billion, as of 2024. His wealth originates from his success with DFA, which manages billions in mutual funds. Throughout his career, Booth has been recognized for his innovative approach to finance, which emphasizes market efficiency and evidence-based investing. His career has been marked by a dedication to incorporating groundbreaking financial theory and research into the world of asset management. Booth has also been a generous benefactor to educational institutions and art restoration projects, donating significant amounts to the University of Chicago and the University of Kansas.

How to read David Booth's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For David Booth, we anchor the narrative to mutual funds and Mutual funds, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $2.787B alongside global rank #1490, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life and Education

David Gilbert Booth was born in Lawrence, Kansas, where he also attended Lawrence High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1968 and a Master of Science in Business in 1969 from the University of Kansas. He then pursued an MBA at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, completing it in 1971. During his time at the University of Chicago, he was a research assistant to Eugene Fama, the Nobel laureate, which profoundly influenced his investment philosophy.

Rise to Success

Booth co-founded Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) in 1981. DFA quickly became a leader in applying academic research to investment strategies. Under Booth's leadership, DFA has grown into a global investment firm managing over $777 billion in assets, as of March 2026. He served as CEO and Co-CEO until 2017, when he transitioned to Chairman, remaining involved in strategic initiatives.

Key Business Strategies

Booth's investment approach with DFA is based on the efficient market hypothesis, eschewing stock picking and focusing on low-cost, passive mutual funds. DFA's strategies include factor investing, targeting areas of the market that research shows have higher expected returns. DFA's success is rooted in its commitment to rigorous academic research, a low-cost structure, and a focus on long-term investment results. DFA has 15 international offices.

Philanthropy

David Booth is also recognized for his extensive philanthropy, primarily focused on educational institutions and art initiatives. In 2008, he donated $300 million to the University of Chicago, and in 2025, he pledged $300 million to the University of Kansas. He also contributed $10 million to the University of Texas at Austin to build the Giant Magellan Telescope. In 2018, Booth signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of his wealth to charity.

Career Timeline

2025

Pledged $300 million to the University of Kansas

Made a historic donation to his alma mater, the University of Kansas.

2018

Joined The Giving Pledge

Committed to donating at least half of his wealth to charity.

2017

Transitioned from CEO to Chairman

Stepped back from the daily management of DFA, remaining involved in strategic initiatives.

2008

Donation to University of Chicago

Donated $300 million to the University of Chicago, which named the business school in his honor.

1981

Co-founded Dimensional Fund Advisors

Founded Dimensional Fund Advisors in Brooklyn, New York, with Rex Sinquefield and Larry Klotz.

1970s

Index Fund Pioneer

Helped create one of the world's first index funds at Wells Fargo.

Philanthropic Impact

Education$300M

University of Chicago Booth School of Business

Significant donation to the University of Chicago Business School

Education$300M

University of Kansas Athletics

Donation for stadium renovation and other projects

Science$10M

Giant Magellan Telescope

Donation for the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope at the University of Texas at Austin

Education$9M

Booth Family Hall of Athletics

Funding for the Hall of Athletics at the University of Kansas

Education$3M

Booth Center for Special Collections

Donation to Georgetown's Lauinger Library

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life and Education

David Gilbert Booth was born in Lawrence, Kansas, where he also attended Lawrence High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 1968 and a Master of Science in Business in 1969 from the University of Kansas. He then pursued an MBA at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, completing it in 1971. During his time at the University of Chicago, he was a research assistant to Eugene Fama, the Nobel laureate, which profoundly influenced his investment philosophy.

Rise to Success

Booth co-founded Dimensional Fund Advisors (DFA) in 1981. DFA quickly became a leader in applying academic research to investment strategies. Under Booth's leadership, DFA has grown into a global investment firm managing over $777 billion in assets, as of March 2026. He served as CEO and Co-CEO until 2017, when he transitioned to Chairman, remaining involved in strategic initiatives.

Key Business Strategies

Booth's investment approach with DFA is based on the efficient market hypothesis, eschewing stock picking and focusing on low-cost, passive mutual funds. DFA's strategies include factor investing, targeting areas of the market that research shows have higher expected returns. DFA's success is rooted in its commitment to rigorous academic research, a low-cost structure, and a focus on long-term investment results. DFA has 15 international offices.

Philanthropy

David Booth is also recognized for his extensive philanthropy, primarily focused on educational institutions and art initiatives. In 2008, he donated $300 million to the University of Chicago, and in 2025, he pledged $300 million to the University of Kansas. He also contributed $10 million to the University of Texas at Austin to build the Giant Magellan Telescope. In 2018, Booth signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of his wealth to charity.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for David Booth are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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