Martin Greenfield Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Martin Greenfield is the legendary Holocaust-surviving master tailor whose bespoke suits dressed U.S. presidents and Hollywood icons, defining a legacy of craft and resilience.

Martin Greenfield’s story reads like an American epic: born Maximilian Grünfeld on August 9, 1928, in a small village in then-Czechoslovakia, he survived unimaginable hardship during the Holocaust and transformed that early suffering into a life-long vocation in tailoring. His birthday—August 9—is among the most notable personal details in a life marked by reinvention, purpose, and artistry. While exact figures vary, estimates put Martin Greenfield net worth at around $1 million—a reflection of a craft-driven business rather than flamboyant wealth accumulation. 

Quick Facts (Table Summary)

From Devastation to the Cutting Table: The Early Ties That Shaped a Tailor

From the very beginning, Martin Greenfield’s life was shaped by both loss and transformation. Born into a Jewish family in Pavlovo, his teenage years were torn apart when Nazi forces deported him and his family to Auschwitz. He survived Auschwitz and later Buchenwald concentration camp through a mix of sheer courage and an almost instinctual draw to clothing and craftsmanship—so much so that a torn Nazi garment he repaired became both a literal and symbolic shield during his imprisonment. 

After liberation, Greenfield spent two years searching for surviving family members, only to discover he was alone. In 1947, he immigrated to the United States with almost nothing—just ten dollars and a relentless drive to build something new. Arriving in New York, he took a job as a “floor boy” at GGG Clothing in Brooklyn. There, he absorbed every facet of garment making, slowly rising through the ranks through discipline and craft. 

Defining moments in Martin Greenfield’s journey include:

• Surviving Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps and learning sewing skills under harrowing conditions. 

• Immigrating to the U.S. in 1947 with virtually no resources. 

• Landing his first significant fitting for General Dwight D. Eisenhower in the early 1950s. 

• Acquiring GGG Clothing and founding Martin Greenfield Clothiers in 1977. 

The Craftsmanship That Drove His Wealth

The core pillars of Martin Greenfield’s wealth include:

• Bespoke Tailoring Business: As founder of Martin Greenfield Clothiers, he built a brand synonymous with precision and tradition—creating custom suits for presidents, dignitaries, and stars. 

• White-Label Production: The company made tailored garments for leading fashion labels and even film and TV productions, including Boardwalk Empire. 

• Memoir and Personal Brand: His memoir Measure of a Man shared intimate perspectives on survival and craft, contributing modestly to his profile and income. 

These pillars reflect a business centered on mastery and legacy rather than high-volume commercialization—an approach consistent with his estimated Martin Greenfield net worth which, according to some financial trackers, stands near $1 million. 

Relationships & Family Life Woven Into His Narrative

Martin Greenfield’s personal life was as stable as his stitching was precise. He married Arlene Bergen in 1956, and the couple raised two sons, Jay and Tod, both of whom became integral to the family business. While Greenfield’s marriage and family life were not fodder for tabloids, they formed the backbone of a personal narrative grounded in continuity, support, and shared craft.

Key insights into Martin Greenfield’s relationships and personal life:

• Lifelong marriage to Arlene Bergen, marked by mutual support. 

• Sons Jay and Tod worked alongside him, carrying the craft into the next generation.

• Family orientation balanced with an international reputation.

Beyond the Tailor’s Chalk: Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond his business achievements, Greenfield lived a life that mirrored his values: disciplined, intentional, and deeply connected to his work. He invested in his Brooklyn factory and preserved traditional methods of full-canvas construction and hand finishing, resisting trends toward automation and outsourcing.

Beyond career success, Martin Greenfield led a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Stewardship of the last major unionized menswear factory in New York City. 

• Mentorship of artisans sustaining craftsmanship traditions. 

• Advocacy for American manufacturing and quality over mass production. 

Breaking Down the Estimated Net Worth

Evaluating Martin Greenfield net worth requires understanding a career built more on legacy than financial flamboyance. Estimates such as those from CelebrityNetWorth place his wealth at approximately $1 million—likely a snapshot reflecting personal ownership and brand valuation rather than company revenue or industry influence. 

This table is illustrative; public financial data on bespoke tailoring businesses is limited, and Greenfield’s emphasis remained on craft rather than commercial scaling.

How the Public Remembered Him: Legacy & Influence

In a world increasingly dominated by fast fashion and fleeting trends, Martin Greenfield stood as a bulwark for durability, character, and meaning. He was widely celebrated not just for dressing presidents, celebrities, and athletes, but for embodying a deeper narrative: that of transformation through dedication.

His influence extended beyond suits into cultural memory—his life story became a testimony to survival, resilience, and the dignity of work. Tributes from fashion communities, former clients, and industry peers highlighted his dual identity as both a craftsman and a witness to history. 

Conclusion: A Life Measured in Mastery

Martin Greenfield’s journey—from birthdate on August 9, 1928, through hardship and triumph, to becoming one of America’s most revered tailors—stands as a testament to the power of purpose. His birthday not only commemorates his entry into the world but also anchors a life that transformed adversity into artistry. While his net worth might not rival corporate titans, his relationships, commitment to craft, and enduring legacy stitch together a narrative far richer than balance sheets alone.