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John Kluge

AKA John Werner Kluge

Born: 21-Sep-1914
Birthplace: Chemnitz, Germany
Died: 7-Sep-2010
Location of death: Albemarle County, VA
Cause of death: unspecified

Gender: Male
Religion: Roman Catholic
Race or Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Business, Philanthropist

Nationality: United States
Executive summary: Media mogul, Metromedia, Inc.

Military service: US Army (Intelligence, 1941-45)

Sold Metromedia, Inc. to Rupert Murdoch in 1986 for $4B, forming what is now the Fox network. The sale made him the richest man in America. Net worth was $10.5B in 2004, according to Forbes.

Donated $25M to Columbia University in 1987, and gave another $400M in 2007 exclusively for financial aid. Donated $60M to the Library of Congress in 2000. Donated his $45M estate to the University of Virginia in 2001.

Father: (d. WWI)
Father: Oswald Leitert (stepfather)
Wife: Theodora T. Thomson Townsend (m. 1946, div.)
Wife: Yolanda Zucco (m. 1969, div., one daughter, one son adopted)
Daughter: Samantha
Son: Joseph (stepson, adopted)
Wife: Patricia Rose Gay ("Pat", former belly dancer, m. 1981, div. 1990, one son)
Son: John W. Kluge II (b. circa 1982)
Wife: Maria Tussi Kuttner Kluge

    University: Wayne State University (transferred)
    University: BA Economics, Columbia University (1937)

    Member of the Board of Metromedia (as Chairman, 1958-2002)
    Metropolitan Broadcasting Co. CEO (1959-61)
    Capitol Broadcasting Company President (1954-59)
    Pittsburgh Broadcasting Company President (1954-59)
    St. Louis Broadcasting Corporation President (1953-58)
    Mid-Florida Radio Corporation President (1952-59)
    New England Fritos President (1947-55)
    WGAY Owner and President (1946-59)
    Otten Brothers VP and Sales Manager (1937-41)
    Member of the Board of AboveNet (1997-2002)
    Member of the Board of Bear Stearns (1985-97)
    Member of the Board of Occidental Petroleum
    Chemical Bank National Advisory Board
    Manufacturers Hanover Advisory Council
    Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee
    Friends for Harry Reid
    Friends of Giuliani Exploratory Committee
    Friends of Joe Lieberman
    Gore 2000
    Joe Lieberman for President
    National Association of Broadcasters
    New Republican Majority Fund
    Republican Majority Fund
    Santorum 2000
    Converted to Catholicism 1981
    Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame
    Risk Factors: Gambling

Author of books:
The Metromedia Story (1974, pamphlet)


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