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Ziff
Robert Ziff
Rank #537
UNITED STATES•finance-investments•Investments

Robert Ziff

Net Worth
$7.189B
0% (24h)
Robert Ziff is an American billionaire investor primarily known for his wealth stemming from investments. Born in 1967, he is the son of the late William Ziff Jr., who built and sold Ziff Davis publishing company. After inheriting the family fortune in 1994, Robert, along with his brothers Dirk and Daniel, formed Ziff Brothers Investments, a family office that initially invested in hedge funds and other ventures. His career highlights include graduating magna cum laude from Harvard University and earning a Juris Doctor degree from Cornell Law School, where he was at the top of his class. As of March 2026, Robert Ziff's net worth is estimated at $7.2 billion, reflecting his successful career in the finance and investment industry.

How to read Robert Ziff'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 Robert Ziff, we anchor the narrative to Ziff Brothers Investments and Investments, 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 $7.189B alongside global rank #537, 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

Robert D. Ziff was born in 1967 in New York City. His parents were William Bernard Ziff Jr., a Jewish American media magnate, and Barbara Ingrid Beitz, a German whose family was recognized for helping save Jews during World War II.

Rise to Success

Robert Ziff's career began after he graduated from Harvard University with a degree in electrical and computer engineering, and then from Cornell Law School, where he was first in his class. He clerked for Chief Judge Monroe G. McKay. In 1994, Robert inherited a portion of his family's wealth after his father sold the Ziff-Davis publishing empire for $1.4 billion. Along with his brothers Dirk and Daniel, they formed Ziff Brothers Investments. The brothers' investments, including seed money for Och-Ziff Capital Management, significantly grew their fortune. The brothers decided to invest with former employees of their hedge funds after Ziff Brothers Investments ceased operations in 2014.

Key Business Strategies

The Ziff brothers, initially employing a consensus-driven investment approach, diversified their inherited wealth across various asset classes. This strategy included hedge funds, private equity, and other investments. Their early investment in Och-Ziff Capital Management, and their shift to independent investments after 2014, underscores their strategic evolution to maintain and grow their wealth.

Philanthropy

Robert Ziff supports philanthropy through the Robert D. Ziff Foundation. He established the Robert D. Ziff Professorship of Law at Cornell Law School in 2008 and endowed the Robert B. Kent Public Interest Fund at Cornell in 2017.

Career Timeline

2014

Ziff Brothers Investments ceased operations

The brothers started investing independently.

1994

Co-founded Ziff Brothers Investments

Formed a family office with his brothers to manage and grow their inherited assets.

1994

Inherited Family Fortune

Inherited wealth after the sale of Ziff-Davis Publishing by his father.

1992

Graduated from Cornell Law School

Graduated first in his class and served as editor of the Cornell Law Review.

Philanthropic Impact

Education$XB

Robert D. Ziff Professorship of Law

Established at Cornell Law School.

Education$XB

Robert B. Kent Public Interest Fund

Endowed at Cornell in honor of his law school professor.

Education$2M

Donated to Harvard University

Donated $2 million to the Harvard University men's hockey program.

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Robert D. Ziff was born in 1967 in New York City. His parents were William Bernard Ziff Jr., a Jewish American media magnate, and Barbara Ingrid Beitz, a German whose family was recognized for helping save Jews during World War II.

Rise to Success

Robert Ziff's career began after he graduated from Harvard University with a degree in electrical and computer engineering, and then from Cornell Law School, where he was first in his class. He clerked for Chief Judge Monroe G. McKay. In 1994, Robert inherited a portion of his family's wealth after his father sold the Ziff-Davis publishing empire for $1.4 billion. Along with his brothers Dirk and Daniel, they formed Ziff Brothers Investments. The brothers' investments, including seed money for Och-Ziff Capital Management, significantly grew their fortune. The brothers decided to invest with former employees of their hedge funds after Ziff Brothers Investments ceased operations in 2014.

Key Business Strategies

The Ziff brothers, initially employing a consensus-driven investment approach, diversified their inherited wealth across various asset classes. This strategy included hedge funds, private equity, and other investments. Their early investment in Och-Ziff Capital Management, and their shift to independent investments after 2014, underscores their strategic evolution to maintain and grow their wealth.

Philanthropy

Robert Ziff supports philanthropy through the Robert D. Ziff Foundation. He established the Robert D. Ziff Professorship of Law at Cornell Law School in 2008 and endowed the Robert B. Kent Public Interest Fund at Cornell in 2017.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Robert Ziff 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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