Bruce Karatz

Bruce Karatz is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is most known as the Chairman and CEO of KB Home and for his philanthropic efforts to help rebuild Los Angeles and the L.A. Riots after Hurricane Katrina, as well as New Orleans.

What is the Net Worth of Bruce Karatz?

The net worth of Bruce Karatz is predicted to be around $126 million in 2022. Stocks, homes, and luxury items such as yachts and private aircraft are all included in the estimated net valuation.

Karatz says he's followed MOCA for a long time - Los Angeles Times
Bruce Karatz and Lilly Tartikoff (Source: Los Angeles Times)

Ealry Life and Education

Karatz was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 10, 1945, and reared in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in a Jewish middle-class home where his father managed a movie theater and his mother was a housewife. George Karatz is his younger brother. He graduated from high school in 1963 and Boston University in 1967. Karatz graduated from the University of Southern California with a law degree in 1970.

Professional Life and Career of Bruce Karatz

Karatz joined Kaufman & Broad in 1972 as an associate general counsel (the firm took the KB Home name in 2001). In 1986, he was named CEO of the company and led it to become a Fortune 500 corporation. He changed the company’s business model from building houses on speculation to building houses on order throughout his tenure. KB Home was rated the #1 homebuilder in Fortune Magazine’s 2006 list of America’s Most Respected Businesses. Karatz was one of the highest-paid CEOs in the world during his tenure as CEO.

Bruce Karatz Trial: Gary Ray, Key Witness In Case Against Bruce Karatz,  Completes testimony | HuffPost null
Karatz joined Kaufman & Broad in 1972. (Source: HuffPost null)

He stepped down as CEO in 2011 after 25 years and is currently a non-executive chairman and non-voting member of the KB House board of directors. He is the younger brother of George Karatz, the former CEO and current CEO of KB House. During the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Kaufman and Broad launched an attempt to rebuild Camp Hollywoodland. With Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan, Karatz co-chaired the Mayor’s Coalition for a Safer LA. In December 2005, shortly after Hurricane Katrina, Karatz led KB Home to become the first and only national homebuilder to travel to New Orleans to assist with re-building efforts.

Karatz founded the Keep Your Home Foundation in 2007 to assist California homeowners facing foreclosure. From May 2010 until August 2011, he volunteered full-time for the HomeBoy Industries non-profit. He is now a member of Homeboy Industries’ board of directors. Over the years, Karatz has gained notoriety for his support of Democratic candidates such as Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Al Gore, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Dianne Feinstein (according to public campaign finance records.)

Karatz: Awards, Nominations

Karatz is well known for his charitable work, including:

  • (1984) Karatz received the Humanitarian Award of the Year from the National Association of Christians and Jews (1984)
  • (1994) Award for Distinguished Work, The Aviva Center
  • (1995) Jack Webb Award, Historical Society of LA Police
  • The Legion of Honor Chevalier, Presented by Pres. France (1999) – legally rescinded due to misdemeanor prosecution.
  • (1996) Spirit of Life Award, National Medical Center of the City of Hope
  • Medal of Honor to Ellis Island, Independent Minority Alliance of Organizations (2003)
  • (2002) Crystal Angel Award, Foundation of Los Angeles Police
  • (2000) Humanitarian Distinguished Award, B’nai B’rith
  • (2012) community Service Award HomeBoy
  • (2004) Award for Human Relations, American Jewish Committee

Controversy/Scandal and Rumors

Karatz left KB Home on November 12, 2006, and elected to reimburse the Corporation the revenue he earned based on back-dating options. He settled civil allegations filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 15, 2008. Karatz was sentenced to five years of probation and eight months of house arrest by a federal judge on November 10, 2010. Following that, on April 27, 2012, a federal judge issued an order ordering Karatz’s five-year probationary term to be immediately revoked.

Body Stats  and Social Media

Bruce’s body weight, height, and other bodily measurements are unknown. However, we can observe in his photo that he has brown eyes, very little brown hair, and an average figure. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are not among the social media platforms where Karatz may be found.

Relationship Facts

  • Bruce Karatz is married to Lilly Tartikoff.
  • He is father of Three(Elizabeth, Teddy, and Matthew).
  • Bruce Karatz is not having an affair with anyone presently.
  • His sexual orientation is straight.

Quick Facts of Bruce Karatz

Age: 76 years 4 months
Birth Date: October 10, 1945
Horoscope (Sunshine): Libra
Full Name: Bruce Karatz
Birth Place: Chicago, USA
Net Worth: $126 million
Ethnicity: All-American
Nationality: American
Profession: Businessman
Education: Boston University
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Lucky Number: 2
Lucky Stone: Peridot
Lucky Color: Blue
Best Match for Marriage: Gemini
Last Update: March, 2022