David Einhorn Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Discover David Einhorn net worth, relationships, age/birthdate and birthday in this deep dive into the hedge-fund legend’s personal and financial story.
David Einhorn Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday
David Einhorn is a hedge-fund titan and founder of Greenlight Capital, recognized for his bold short-selling strategy and outspoken value-investing approach.
Introduction
David Einhorn, born November 20, 1968 (birthday: November 20), is an American investor and hedge-fund manager whose bold moves and sharp public commentary have shaped his standing on Wall Street. His estimated net worth has varied significantly over the years, reflecting both his high-profile wins and the challenges of hedge-fund performance. In his personal life, he was married to Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, with whom he has three children, though the two later separated and divorced.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David M. Einhorn |
| Age/Birthdate | November 20, 1968 |
| Birthday | November 20 |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Investor, Hedge Fund Manager, Founder & President of Greenlight Capital |
| Estimated Net Worth | Varies by source (see analysis) |
| Relationship Status | Divorced (formerly married to Cheryl Strauss) |
| Known For | Founding Greenlight Capital; high-profile short-selling campaigns |
From Cornell Class-Mate to Market Maverick
Despite an upbringing in a well-connected finance family, Einhorn’s path was neither conventional nor pre-ordained. Born into a Jewish family in New Jersey and later raised in Wisconsin, his father, Stephen Einhorn, ran a consulting and venture-capital firm.
At Cornell University he graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Government before venturing into the investment world.
It was in 1996 that he founded Greenlight Capital with roughly US$900,000 in seed capital.
His early success hinged on public, aggressive short-bets—most famously his campaign against Allied Capital and bets against Lehman Brothers, which cemented his reputation.
Defining moments in David Einhorn’s journey include:
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Launching Greenlight Capital and growing it rapidly through the late-1990s and early 2000s.
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Publicly exposing Allied Capital’s accounting practices via a high-profile short position.
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Predicting the collapse of Lehman Brothers by shorting the stock in 2007.
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Battling performance headwinds from 2015 onward and navigating investor redemptions.
The Core Pillars of David Einhorn’s Wealth
Einhorn’s financial standing rests on several key pillars:
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Greenlight Capital: As founder and president, his compensation and equity stake provide a major base of wealth.
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Equity investments: His portfolio—often disclosed via 13F filings—includes significant holdings in companies such as Green Brick Partners and Dillard’s.
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Short-selling gains: Early in his career, profits from short positions added to his reputation and financial return.
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Private investments and partnerships: Although less publicly detailed, his background and connections facilitate deal flow beyond just public equities.
Relationships & Family Life
Einhorn’s personal life has received considerably less public attention than his investing career, but the documented details provide insight into his family structure and personal priorities.
He married Cheryl Strauss, a financial reporter and media consultant, in 1993. The couple had three children together and shared philanthropic pursuits—including the establishment of the Einhorn Family Charitable Trust.
The marriage was reported to be heading toward divorce in 2017—with the couple formally separating that year.
Key insights into David Einhorn’s relationships and personal life:
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Married to Cheryl Strauss in 1993; three children together.
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Divorce proceedings publicly surfaced around 2017.
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Maintains a relatively low-profile private life despite high public visibility in finance.
Lifestyle, Assets & Interests
Beyond career success, David Einhorn leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:
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A residence in Westchester County, New York, where he has hosted philanthropic and investment-community gatherings.
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A noted interest in poker: he has competed in major tournaments such as the World Series of Poker, donating winnings to charity.
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Philanthropic commitments: He has backed causes like the Michael J. Fox Foundation and others aligned with social impact.
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A reputation for lean personal consumption despite high wealth—stories about driving modest vehicles have circulated in media.
Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis
Einhorn’s wealth estimates vary dramatically depending on the source and the timeframe. Here is a snapshot of how analysts capture his net worth and drivers:
| Category | Estimated Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business Ventures | ~$1.4 billion (historic) | Forbes (2018) |
| Investments & Assets | ~$3.1 billion (estimate) | GuruFocus (2025 holdings) |
| Conservative Stake Estimation | ~$700 million | GoodReturns (2019) |
Analysis:
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Early in his career, Einhorn achieved outsized returns, which helped elevate his net worth and public profile.
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From mid-2010s onward, his fund faced performance headwinds and inflows reversed; such macro effects impacted his net worth trajectory.
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The largest holdings disclosed publicly (e.g., in Green Brick Partners, Dillard’s) suggest concentrated bets, which can lead to significant swings in value depending on market movements.
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As with many hedge-fund managers, private investments, deferred compensation, and illiquid assets make any public “net worth” estimate inherently imprecise.
Public Image, Legacy & Influence
David Einhorn is not just known for what he bets on—he’s also known for what he says. His willingness to issue public critiques of corporate management, take high-profile short positions, and tolerate the attendant risk has given him a reputation as one of the most outspoken figures on Wall Street.
He coined (or at least popularized) what is often referred to as the “Einhorn Effect”—the observable phenomenon where his commentary or position in a stock sparks large shifts in that company’s price.
Einhorn’s legacy lies in a blend of intellectual rigor, aggressive contrarianism, and philanthropic ambition. While his fund has encountered setbacks, his place among influential hedge-fund managers remains intact.
Conclusion
From his November 20, 1968 birthdate through a career defined by bold investing and high-stakes wagers, David Einhorn has carved a distinctive path in the world of finance. His net worth has ebbed and flowed with market tides, yet his influence on investing—especially short-selling and value strategies—is palpable. His personal life, marked by a long marriage and three children, has generally stayed out of the limelight even as his professional moves dominated headlines. Ultimately, Einhorn stands as a figure whose story reminds us that in the realm of high finance, conviction and risk often walk hand-in-hand.
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