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Ross
Stephen Ross
Rank #165
UNITED STATES•Diversified•Real estate

Stephen Ross

Net Worth
$16.983B
0% (24h)
Stephen Ross is an 85-year-old American real estate developer, philanthropist, and sports team owner, with a net worth of $17.0 billion. He is the chairman and founder of Related Companies, a global real estate firm, and is best known for developing the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project. Ross's career began as a tax attorney, leading him to found Related Companies in 1972. His achievements include developing numerous high-profile properties and owning the Miami Dolphins. He is also a major benefactor to the University of Michigan, having donated a total of $480 million and is committed to giving back through various philanthropic initiatives.

How to read Stephen Ross'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 Stephen Ross, we anchor the narrative to Real estate and Real estate, 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 $16.983B alongside global rank #165, 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

Born on May 10, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Stephen Michael Ross grew up in a Jewish family. He attended Mumford High School in Detroit and later graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School. Ross then pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1962. He furthered his education by receiving a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University in 1965 and a Master of Laws in Taxation from the New York University School of Law in 1966.

Rise to Success

Stephen Ross began his career as a tax attorney before founding Related Companies in 1972. He started the company with $10,000 borrowed from his mother. Related Companies initially focused on building and financing low-income housing. Ross pivoted to riskier luxury buildings and nearly faced bankruptcy in the early 1990s but recovered. He developed more than $60 billion worth of properties across the country. Notable projects include the Time Warner Center (now the Deutsche Bank Center) and the Hudson Yards in New York City.

Key Business Strategies

Ross's business acumen is evident in his strategic decisions. He navigated the real estate market downturn in the early 1990s by proactively restructuring debts. Moreover, his focus extended beyond real estate, including investments in fitness brands like Equinox and SoulCycle. He also owns the Miami Dolphins and played a role in bringing Formula 1 to Miami. The acquisition of Equinox Fitness Clubs further integrated workout centers into new developments.

Philanthropy

Stephen Ross is a dedicated philanthropist. He established the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and founded the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE). He is the largest single donor to the University of Michigan, with total contributions of $480 million. Ross is also a trustee of the Lincoln Center and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He has pledged to give more than half of his estate to philanthropic causes through the Giving Pledge. He also supports the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the New York Stem Cell Foundation.

Career Timeline

2024

Founded Related Ross

Founded a new real estate firm, Related Ross, in West Palm Beach, Florida.

2019

Hudson Yards Opened

Opened Hudson Yards on Manhattan's west side.

2009

Owner of Miami Dolphins

Completed the purchase of the Miami Dolphins franchise.

2004

Established the Stephen M. Ross School of Business

Donated $100 million to the University of Michigan to establish the Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

1972

Founded Related Companies

Established Related Companies, a real estate development firm.

Philanthropic Impact

Education$480M

University of Michigan

Largest donor to the University of Michigan, supporting the Ross School of Business and other programs.

Urban Sustainability$100M

WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities

Established the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities.

Racial Equality$30M

Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE)

Founded RISE to promote racial equality in sports.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
Miami Dolphins95.00%$8.1M

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life and Education

Born on May 10, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, Stephen Michael Ross grew up in a Jewish family. He attended Mumford High School in Detroit and later graduated from Miami Beach Senior High School. Ross then pursued higher education at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1962. He furthered his education by receiving a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University in 1965 and a Master of Laws in Taxation from the New York University School of Law in 1966.

Rise to Success

Stephen Ross began his career as a tax attorney before founding Related Companies in 1972. He started the company with $10,000 borrowed from his mother. Related Companies initially focused on building and financing low-income housing. Ross pivoted to riskier luxury buildings and nearly faced bankruptcy in the early 1990s but recovered. He developed more than $60 billion worth of properties across the country. Notable projects include the Time Warner Center (now the Deutsche Bank Center) and the Hudson Yards in New York City.

Key Business Strategies

Ross's business acumen is evident in his strategic decisions. He navigated the real estate market downturn in the early 1990s by proactively restructuring debts. Moreover, his focus extended beyond real estate, including investments in fitness brands like Equinox and SoulCycle. He also owns the Miami Dolphins and played a role in bringing Formula 1 to Miami. The acquisition of Equinox Fitness Clubs further integrated workout centers into new developments.

Philanthropy

Stephen Ross is a dedicated philanthropist. He established the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities and founded the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE). He is the largest single donor to the University of Michigan, with total contributions of $480 million. Ross is also a trustee of the Lincoln Center and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He has pledged to give more than half of his estate to philanthropic causes through the Giving Pledge. He also supports the Jackie Robinson Foundation and the New York Stem Cell Foundation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for Stephen Ross 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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