Marvin Davis Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday Facts
Discover Marvin Davis net worth, Marvin Davis relationships, Marvin Davis age/birthdate and Marvin Davis birthday in this in-depth profile of the oil-to-Hollywood magnate.
loveness92 
Marvin Davis Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday
Marvin Davis is an American oil-and-entertainment magnate recognized for transforming wildcat drilling into a multi-billion dollar empire and acquiring Hollywood’s 20th Century Fox.
Introduction
Born on August 31, 1925, the business icon Marvin H. Davis built a fortune that, by various estimates, placed his net worth in the multi-billion dollar range. While his official relationship status at the time of his passing shows he was married to Barbara Levine Davis and had five children, his public life and personal connections created a legacy of high-stakes business, glamour, and family drama. This profile explores Marvin Davis’s journey from oil-wildcatter to Hollywood power-player, his wealth and relationships, and the lifestyle and legacy he left behind.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Marvin H. Davis |
| Age/Birthdate | August 31, 1925 |
| Birthday | August 31 |
| Nationality | United States |
| Profession | Entrepreneur – oil, real estate, entertainment |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$5.8 B–$6.0 B (at peak) |
| Relationship Status | Married to Barbara Levine Davis |
| Known For | Owner of Davis Petroleum, former owner of 20th Century Fox studio |
From Wildcat Beginnings to Hollywood Domination
Marvin Davis’s story begins in Newark, New Jersey, where he was born to immigrant parents and grew up watching his father pivot from the garment business into oil exploration. He attended New York University and graduated with a B.S. in engineering in 1947, after which he joined his father’s budding oil operation.
With a bold appetite for risk, Davis earned a reputation as “Mr. Wildcatter”—drilling for oil and gas in the American West, building pipelines, and financing exploratory wells at a time when independent producers were few and far between.
Defining moments in Marvin Davis’s journey include:
-
Acquisition of Davis Oil / Petroleum – Growing the family business into a major independent producer.
-
Purchase of 20th Century Fox (1981) – Entering the entertainment business via a leveraged buyout.
-
High-profile real estate and leisure-asset deals – Including ownership of the Pebble Beach Corporation and the Beverly Hills Hotel.
The Core Pillars of Marvin Davis’s Wealth
The core pillars of Marvin Davis’s wealth include:
| Pillar | Details |
|---|---|
| Oil & Gas Exploration | Through Davis Petroleum and its predecessor, drilling in regions such as Wyoming and Texas. |
| Media Ownership | Acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 1981, later sold to Rupert Murdoch. |
| Real Estate & Hospitality | Acquisition and sale of marquee assets such as the Beverly Hills Hotel and Pebble Beach. |
| Investment & Leveraged Deals | Frequent takeover bids, strategic asset flips, and diverse holdings across leisure, real estate and entertainment. |
Marvin Davis Relationships & Family Life
Marvin Davis’s personal life reflects an intertwined mix of business, family, and social glamour. He married Barbara Levine in 1951 and the couple had five children: Patricia, John, Nancy, Gregg, and Dana.
Key insights into Marvin Davis’s relationships and personal life:
-
He cultivated a social set that included Hollywood stars, political figures, and industry power players—a fusion of oil-town grit and Tinseltown glamour.
-
The Davis family experienced internal legal disputes over trust funds and estate management, most notably a lawsuit by daughter Patricia concerning control of her trust.
-
His children went on to public roles: John became a film producer, Nancy and Gregg became prominent in business and society.
Lifestyle, Assets & Interests
Beyond career success, Marvin Davis led a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:
-
Ownership of iconic properties: the Beverly Hills Hotel, the Pebble Beach golf estate, Aspen Skiing Company.
-
A penchant for collecting and flashy entertaining: his home “The Knoll” in Beverly Hills was known for lavish Christmas parties.
-
Philanthropy – Davis and his wife made significant charitable contributions, especially for children’s diabetes research, prompted by their daughter Dana’s diagnosis.
-
Hobbies and interests in elite leisure: skiing, golf, dramatic real-estate deals and Hollywood soirées.
Net Worth Breakdown & Analysis
How Marvin Davis’s fortune is evaluated: various respected sources provide snapshots of his wealth at different times.
| Category | Estimated Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Business Ventures | ~$4.4 B | Forbes listing in early 2000s |
| Investments & Assets | ~$4.9 B | Forbes estimate around the time of his death |
| Brand Deals & Real Estate Flips | ~$5.8 B | Los Angeles Times obituary estimate |
These figures show a consistent multi-billion dollar valuation built on oil, media, and real estate. While some sources list around $4.4 B, others closer to $6 B. The fluctuations illustrate the ever-changing value of his holdings, leveraged deals, and sales of major assets.
Public Image, Legacy & Influence
Marvin Davis carved out a public image that spanned two contrasting worlds: the rugged, Texas-sized oil wildcatter and the Hollywood high-roller. His influence touched boardrooms and soundstages alike.
He is often credited with bridging the gap between commodity wealth and entertainment power, turning oil-money muscle into media-industry influence. His deals earned him a seat at the table alongside film studios, sports franchises, and celebrity social circles. Further, his philanthropic efforts offered a dimension beyond the deal-making: the Davis name became linked to children’s diabetes research and major charitable events.
In the legacy department, Davis left behind a model of diversification and deal-making audacity. While his methods were sometimes aggressive—and his family life publicly messy—his ability to move from one asset class to another set a precedent for modern entrepreneurs who span industries.
Conclusion
Marvin Davis’s story is one of ambition, reinvention and legacy. With a birthdate of August 31, 1925 and a birthday to mark every year on the same date, his life bridged oil-patch grit and Hollywood gloss. His estimated net worth—ranging from around $4.4 billion to nearly $6 billion—reflects not just accumulated assets but a dynamic strategy of buying, building and selling big. His relationships, from his marriage to Barbara Levine to his five children and extended family, paint a picture of personal life as larger than life as his business deals. The enduring insight from his journey: true influence often lies at the intersection of industries, and success belongs to those willing to traverse bold terrain.
