Born in 1932, Bren grew up with wealthy parents who were both successful in their own right. His father, Milton Bren, came from Jewish descent and was a Hollywood, movie producer. On the other hand, Bren's mother, Marion Jorgensen was an influential civic leader who was the granddaughter of a successful Irish railway wheel manufacturer. She was also a close friend of Ronald and Nancy Reagan.
Bren's parents divorced when he had turned 16.
To keep their children grounded and unspoiled, Bren's parents enrolled him and his younger brother in public schools. Additionally, they were required to work during school vacations and help their father conduct repairs on his rental properties.
He graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1950.
In 1956, Bren graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington. He financed his tuition with his own funds and a skiing scholarship.
Bren started his early career as an Officer of the U.S. Marine Corps and reportedly served there for three years. He founded Bren Company in 1958 and built his first property in Newport Beach, California with a $10,000 bank loan. Sold Bren Company to International Paper for $34 million in 1969 and bought it back in 1972 for $22 million. He co-founded Mission Viejo Company with two other developers. In 1967, he sold his share in Mission Viejo Company to Philip Morris. In 1977, Bren bought Irvine Company with other business partners for $337 million; he held nearly 34% stake in the company and served as the Vice Chairman. In 1983, Bren bought out five stockholders who collectively owned 51.8% of Irvine Company, which increased his stake in the company to 86%. By 1996, he became the sole owner of the company.
Bren describes himself as 'fiscal conservative and social moderate.' Generous political donor gives to both sides of the political aisle. Lifetime giving exceeds $625,000. Recipients include: RNC Republican National State Elections Committee, John F. Kerry, Susan M. Collins, Dianne Feinstein, David Dreier, Christopher S. Bond, Thomas J. Campbell, Rudolph W. Giuliani, Lindsey Olin Graham, Margaret Whitman, Rick A. Lazio, Ira William McCollum, Suzanne Haik Terrell, John R. Thune and Noel Irwin Hentschel. He has also supported his close friend, Pete Wilson's Senate campaign.
Philanthropist, serves as Chairman of the Donald Bren Foundation. In 2014, the foundation had assets exceeding $137 million and had donated more than $1 million. Gives primarily to social and human services, community development and educational causes. Notable recipients include: Public Policy Institute of California, Think Together, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, The Philanthropy Roundtable, California Institute of Technology, La County Museum of Art and Mirman School for Gifted Children. Bren reportedly has given $50 million to support the Irvine Ranch Conservancy and $40 million to the University of California, Irvine. In 2004, he reportedly made a $20 million donation to the University of California to fund the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences.
Quotations:
In my opinion, education is the finest gift an individual can give a young person.
It's my view that solar energy may be the ultimate solution for energy for most of the world. I believe, based on what little I know about it, that there is a possibility of a breakthrough.
Bren is a member of the board of directors and a life trustee of the California Institute of Technology and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. He is trustee emeritus of the boards of the Orange County Museum of Art and the University of California, Irvine Foundation.
Bren keeps a low public profile and as he explains, "I'm not a public official. I'm a businessman, I'm a builder, I'm a planner... And if I feel that I've done the job well, that's the satisfaction I get, not from doing interviews or being more public."OC Weekly described Bren in 2005 as "one of the nation's least public billionaires", who guards his privacy "jealously".
Quotes from others about the person
Stephen Scarborough, former CEO, Standard Pacific Corp: "What's remarkable about him is that he brings a new, fresh vision to every community that he approaches. It's not the same; he's always willing to do it differently and to do it better".
Gloria Sefton, co-founder of the Saddleback Canyons Conservancy: "Not often do conservationists find opportunities to thank developers. But now is such a time...Mr Bren's conservation vision is generous and bold...Thank you, Donald Bren and the Irvine Company, for your monumental gift to the public. It's truly a lasting legacy".
Bren has been married three times. His first marriage was to Diane Bren and they had three children. His second marriage was to Mardelle Bren in 1977, they had one daughter.
Now Bren is married for the third time, to Brigitte Muller Bren. The couple has one child together, and appears to resides in Newport Beach, California.
Hollywood film producer. Married Claire Trevor, an Academy Award-winning American actress, after divorcing Marion Bren. He died in 1979 due to brain cancer.
Civic leader divorced Bren's father, Milton, in 1947; married Earle M. Jorgensen in 1953.
Attorney served as a Co-Founder of International Strategic Planning, a consulting firm. Served as a Counsel at Arter and Hadden; Vice President of International Marketing at Mark Goodson Productions; and Director and Member of the Audit Committee at Ambassadors Group. She served on the boards of the California Institute of Technology, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Think Together, Hoover Institute at Stanford University and Los Angeles Universal Preschool Master Plan. Graduated from Loyola Law School and the College of Honors at the University of California. Married Bren in 1998 and the couple has one young child.
Daughter of Bren and ex-wife, Mardelle.
American actress was born in Brooklyn, New York. Daughter of Noel Wemlinger. She was nicknamed the "Queen of Film Noir." In 1948, married Milton Bren, who was her third husband. Appears to have a son in the relationship. Died in 2000.
Son of Bren and his ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Mckay Gold.
She was the second wife of Bren. The couple divorced in 1977. Had a daughter together.
Married Marion Bren in 1953. Steel distribution entrepreneur founded Earle M. Jorgensen Company in 1921. Died in 1999.
Daughter of Bren and his ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Mckay Gold.
Son of Diane and Bren. Owner of Bacchus Development filed for bankruptcy in 2009. Served as the Vice President of Irvine Company. Appears to be interested in racing and is a two-time Long Beach Grand Prix winner.
She was the first wife of Bren. The couple divorced in 1960. Had two sons, Cary and Stephen.
Co-Founder, Chairman and President of KBS Realty Advisors and its affiliate, KBS Capital Advisors. Served as a Partner of Lincoln Property Company.
She was a model. Was in a relationship with Bren in the 1980s. Has two children with Bren - David and Christie.
Son of Diane and Bren. Owner and CEO of California Pacific Homes; bought the company from Bren in 2000 for $25 million. Serves as the President.
