Net Worth:
$1.6 billion +23%
Last Year:
$1.3 billion
Age:
58
Residence:
Beverly Hills
Source of Wealth:
Aircraft leasing
The Money:
Owns 19.9 million shares of insurance giant American International Group gained through 1990 sale of jet aircraft leasing company founded with father, Leslie, and friend Steven Udvar-Hazy. AIG stock has gained this year. Also owns Lexington Commercial Holdings, a real estate development firm with extensive L.A. acreage, and a related private equity firm that has become increasingly active.
Buzz:
Gonda has expanded the Lexington name from real estate to entertainment and venture capital. Started Lexington Entertainment Group with actress wife Kelly; produced the 2004 movie “A Time for Dancing” and the Broadway show “Sweet Smell of Success.” Lexington Ventures LLC has given early-stage and growth capital to companies like Digital Deck, which creates software for home theater integration, and RewardTV, a Web site on television trivia. Gonda co-founded International Lease Finance Corp. in 1973. It went public in 1983 and was acquired by American International Group for stock in 1990. On the philanthropy front, Gonda’s family foundation has supported elementary education and construction of Georgetown University’s performing arts center called the Gonda Theatre. Family also owns El Campeon Farms and Windy Hill Ranch, a horse breeding and riding facility in Thousands Oaks. Born in Venezuela, where Hungarian father moved after World War II, before coming to U.S.
