Phoebe Hearst Cooke Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Phoebe Hearst Cooke: A Quiet Heiress with a Powerful Legacy

Born on July 13, 1927, Phoebe Hearst Cooke carried the heritage of one of America’s most storied families. As a granddaughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst, she inherited more than just wealth — she inherited an empire, a sense of responsibility, and a lifelong devotion to ranching, equestrian pursuits, and philanthropy. Her birthday, July 13, 1927, marked the arrival of someone who would, decades later, cultivate her family’s legacy through stewardship, service, and quiet influence.

Inheriting a Dynasty, Embracing a Ranch Life

Though born into media royalty in San Francisco, Phoebe Hearst Cooke’s upbringing was deeply shaped by the rustic, wide-open spaces of her family’s California estates. Her childhood was spent among the sprawling ranches and coastal properties owned by the Hearsts — an environment steeped in Western traditions, horse riding, and land stewardship.

Over time, that early exposure to ranch life took root. Rather than pursuing a life in the spotlight, Cooke embraced the world of horses, land, and equestrian culture. The rugged California landscape, combined with the privilege and resources of her family fortune, provided her with a distinct path — one grounded in tradition and understated responsibility.

Guiding the Empire from Behind the Scenes

In 1962, Cooke stepped into a formal role in her family’s business legacy by joining the board of directors of Hearst Corporation. She remained a board member until 1998, playing a part in the oversight of one of America’s largest and most influential media conglomerates.

Despite the prominence of the Hearst name, Cooke was never drawn to the public glare. Her presence within the corporation was more about stewardship than spectacle — a way to honor her grandfather’s legacy while quietly ensuring the ongoing stability of the business she helped inherit. In that sense, she exemplified a form of leadership rooted in discretion rather than display.

A Fortune Measured in Billions — and Generosity

Estimates of Phoebe Hearst Cooke’s net worth have placed her around US$1.9 billion, a testament to the immense wealth associated with the Hearst legacy. 

But wealth, for her, was not just a number — it was a platform for giving. Philanthropy was central to her identity. She carried on a family tradition of charitable engagement, channeling her resources toward causes close to her heart. In particular, she became deeply involved in the equestrian community, using her wealth to support organizations and initiatives related to horse welfare, therapy, and ranching culture. 

In 1996, she — along with her husband, Amory "Jack" Cooke — was inducted into the Hall of Great Westerners of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, an honor recognizing her lifelong commitment to Western traditions, ranching, and equestrian life.

Family, Relationships, and Life’s Chapters

Phoebe Hearst Cooke’s personal life reflected both privilege and groundedness. In 1949, she married Philip Edward Tovrea Jr. — associated with the Phoenix-based Tovrea Land and Cattle Company — with whom she had a daughter: Phoebe "Misty" Tovrea Lipari. 

Later, she married Amory “Jack” Cooke, who managed the family’s land and livestock operations as part of the Hearst ranching empire. Their marriage lasted decades until his death in 2008. 

In her later years, Cooke faced internal disputes with family over estate management. Those tensions culminated in a conservatorship established in 2009, reflecting the challenges that sometimes accompany vast private wealth — even within wealthy, well-established families.

Quiet Influence, Lasting Legacy

Although she never sought the spotlight, Phoebe Hearst Cooke’s life tells a compelling story of legacy, responsibility, and quiet influence. She channeled the extraordinary privilege of her birth into stewardship — of land, of tradition, and of philanthropic opportunity.

Her net worth placed her among America's wealthiest heirs. Yet, what truly defined her was not the size of her fortune, but how she used it: to preserve a Western way of life, to support equestrian causes, and to honor a family name with dignity and discretion.

On her birthday — July 13 — one remembers not just a date, but a lineage, a life, and a legacy carried forward.