American businessman Donald L. Bren has an estimated net worth of $17.2 billion as of July 2019. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and sole owner of Irvine Company, a real estate investment company currently based in the U.S.

Donald Bren was born on May 11, 1932 in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of University of Washington with a degree in economics and business administration. He currently lives in Newport Beach, California with his wife Brigitte. He has three children named Ashley, Carey and Steve.

It was in 1958 when he founded Bren company which specialized on building homes in Orange County California. Five years later, he founded Mission Viejo Company (MVC) along with two others. He served as the company's president from the time of its founding until 1967. In 1970, Bren Company was purchased by International Paper for $34 million. When the recession hit two years later, Donald Bren re-acquired the company for only $22 million.

In 1977, he purchased Irvine Company together with other investors. Owning 34% of the company's stocks, Bren became the largest shareholder and he was given the Vice Chair title in the board. In 1983, he was elected as the Chairman of the board and by 1996, he has acquired all outstanding shares, which made him the sole owner of the company.

Donald Bren is among the wealthiest real estate developers in the U.S. today.