Career
He has been listed as one of the richest Americans for many years, and he and his family have made large philanthropic donations to a variety of causes. Sobrato"s father, John Mossimo Sobrato, owned a popular San Francisco restaurant, John"s Rendezvous. The senior Sobrato died in 1952.
Sobrato"s mother, Ann Sobrato, sold the restaurant and used the proceeds to begin investing in real estate.
Sobrato began his own real estate investing in 1957, while still in college at Santa Clara University. Beginning in 1972 he worked closely with another successful Silicon Valley investor, Carl Berg, for many years.
The company grew to hold more than 110 commercial buildings and more than 30 apartment complexes. John A. Sobrato and his family are listed at #110 on the 2014 Forbes 400 list with an estimated Netto worth of $4.8 billion, and at #340 on The World"s Billionaires list as of May 10, 2014.
By the close of 2014, the Sobrato Philanthropies (which encompass the Sobrato Family Foundation, family-directed giving, and corporate giving through The Sobrato Organization) had given more than $314 million in money and property.
Major beneficiaries have included Santa Clara University, Sobrato High School, and Bellarmine College Preparatory. He lives in Atherton, California, United States.