
Daniel Och is a well-known American financier and billionaire, but what makes his story so fascinating is how he made his fortune. He co-founded the hedge fund Och-Ziff Capital Management in 1994.
Daniel Och's background in finance is impressive, with a degree from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He started his career at Drexel Burnham Lambert and later joined the investment firm First Boston.
Och's experience and knowledge in the finance industry helped him to build a successful hedge fund, which eventually became one of the largest in the world.
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Early Life and Education
Daniel Och grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey.
He attended the Solomon Schechter Day School of Essex and Union, later renamed Golda Och Academy, in West Orange, New Jersey, a Jewish day school founded by his parents.
Och's parents, Golda and Dr. Michael Och, played a significant role in his education, with his mother being honored by the school's renaming.
Daniel Och has a bachelor's degree in economics with a concentration in finance from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
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Career and Net Worth

Daniel Och began his career at Goldman Sachs in 1982, working in the Risk Arbitrage Department. He later became the head of proprietary trading in the Equities Division and co-head of U.S. Equities Trading.
Och worked at Goldman Sachs for 11 years before founding Och-Ziff Capital Management Group in 1994 with an initial investment of $100 million from the Ziff brothers. He led the firm to significant returns, including an 11.2% return on his $21.5 billion Master fund in 2012.
Daniel Och's net worth is estimated to be $3.9 billion as of May 2015, according to Forbes. He was ranked the 490th in the list of World Billionaires and the 206th richest person in the "Forbes 400" list.
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Investment Career
Dan Och's investment career spans over three decades, with a notable stint at Goldman Sachs that lasted 11 years. He joined the Risk Arbitrage Department in 1982 and eventually became co-head of U.S. Equities Trading.
Och's entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Och-Ziff Capital Management Group in 1994 with an initial investment of $100 million from the Ziff family. The company went public in 2007, listing its shares on the New York Stock Exchange at $32.00.
In 2013, Och's earnings from hedge fund management reached $400 million, ranking him 17th among the top 25 earners in the industry, according to Forbes.
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Real-Time Net Worth
Dan Och's net worth has fluctuated over the years, with his hedge fund firm, now known as Sculptor Capital Management, experiencing client withdrawals.
He founded Och-Ziff Capital Management in 1994, which later changed its name to Sculptor Capital Management in August 2019.
Och stepped down as chairman in 2019 and no longer has a role with the hedge fund, further cutting his ties with the firm.
As of now, Och runs his family office, Willoughby Capital, a growth equity investor with a portfolio that includes Robinhood, Coinbase, and Instacart.
Here's a brief overview of his current net worth situation:
Och has switched his residency to Miami Beach, Florida, a move that may have implications for his tax obligations.
Net Worth

Daniel Och's net worth is a staggering $5 billion, according to available information. This enormous wealth has been accumulated through his successful career as a businessman and hedge fund manager.
He founded Och-Ziff Capital Management in 1994 with an initial investment of $100 million from the Ziff brothers. This marked the beginning of his journey to becoming one of the wealthiest individuals in the world.
Daniel Och has a long history of making smart investments, and his company's assets under management have grown significantly over the years. At its peak in 2015, the company managed over $50 billion in assets.
Here's a brief overview of Daniel Och's net worth at different points in time:
Daniel Och's net worth has been influenced by his various business ventures, including his family office, Willoughby Capital, which invests in growth equity. He has also been involved in philanthropy, donating over $500 million to his charitable foundation.
Philanthropy

Daniel Och is a dedicated philanthropist, and his charitable efforts are truly inspiring.
He sits on the board of Endeavor and is the vice chair of the Robin Hood Foundation, a organization fighting poverty in New York City.
In 2005, he began serving on the board of trustees of New York-Presbyterian Hospital, a position he still holds today.
The Spine Hospital of the NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital was named after Och and his wife in 2017, following a $25 million donation.
The University of Michigan established The Och Initiative for Women in Finance in 2014, named after the Och family.
In May 2022, The Jane and Daniel Och Family Foundation made a significant donation to New York-Presbyterian, totaling $50 million.
This donation will be used to expand the Och Spine program across the New York area, increasing access to spinal care and focusing on non-operative services and care.
Daniel Och's commitment to philanthropy is truly remarkable, and his work will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on the lives of many.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Och Ziff?
Och-Ziff was founded by Daniel Och with financial support from the Ziff family, who are the founders of Ziff Davis Media. The company was established in 1994.
Sources
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