13) Leslie Gonda (up arrow)
Age: 79
Residence: Beverly Hills
Source of Wealth: Aircraft leasing
Net Worth: $1.3 billion
Last Year’s Rank: 24
Background: Holocaust survivor who left Hungary in 1947 for Venezuela, where he owned factories. Moved to this country in 1963.
Money Track: Made his fortune through Century City-based International Lease Finance, which he formed in 1973 with his son Louis Gonda, and his son’s friend, Steven Ferencz Udvar-Hazy (each of whom pitched in $50,000). The first plane leased by the firm was a DC-10 to Aeromexico. Business took off as deregulated airlines sought short-term leases and ILF became the largest aircraft lessor in the world measured by fleet value. The company went public in 1983 and was acquired by American International Group in 1990. Gonda remains its chairman and sits on AIG’s board.
Buzz: Best known in recent years for his philanthropy. He and wife Susan donated $45 million to the Mayo Clinic in 1997 (its largest gift to date from a living donor). Has also donated millions to a group of organizations that includes City of Hope, UCLA (for neuroscience and genetic research) and the Museum of Tolerance. Has donated more than $165 million and plans to keep giving, especially to causes that focus on medical research. Still goes to the office every day and exercises during his lunch hour.
