Dan Gilbert
Born 1962 · Age 63
American billionaire entrepreneur, founder/chairman of Rocket Companies (Quicken Loans), founder of Rock Ventures/Bedrock, majority owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers and several other sports franchises, and major Detroit and Cleveland real estate investor and philanthropist.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Detroit, Michigan
Daniel Bruce Gilbert born to a Jewish family in Detroit, Michigan.
Organized neighborhood pizza delivery service
At age 12 Gilbert organized a pizza delivery service using children on bikes to deliver in the neighborhood.
Attended/Graduated Southfield-Lathrup High School (approx.)
Grew up in Southfield, Michigan and attended Southfield-Lathrup High School (approximate graduation year used for timeline context).
Earned real estate agent license (in college)
While in college Gilbert earned a real estate agent's license (timing during undergraduate years).
Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University
Gilbert earned his BA from Michigan State University (source lists class year 1984).
Worked part-time at parents' Century 21 agency (law school era)
While in law school Gilbert worked part-time at his parents' Century 21 Real Estate agency (timing during law-school years).
Founded Rock Financial
Co-founded Rock Financial with Ron Berman, Lindsay Gross and brother Gary Gilbert; began mortgage business that later evolved into Quicken Loans/Rocket.
Juris Doctor from Wayne State University (approx.)
Gilbert earned a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan (year estimated based on BA year).
Rock Financial launches early Internet strategy (late 1990s)
In the late 1990s the company launched an internet strategy and became an early online direct mortgage lender, positioning it for national expansion.
Intuit acquires Rock Financial / Quicken Loans web operation
Software maker Intuit purchased Rock Financial's national web operation (commonly dated Oct 1999); Intuit later renamed the national web operation Quicken Loans.
Rock Financial/Intuit renamed national web operation Quicken Loans
Under Intuit ownership the national web operation was branded as Quicken Loans (reported broadly around 1999–2000).
Gilbert-led group buys Quicken Loans and Title Source from Intuit
Dan Gilbert and a group of private investors purchased Quicken Loans and affiliated title company Title Source, Inc. from Intuit.
Cavaliers era milestones: facility improvements & public controversies
Since acquiring the Cavs Gilbert oversaw major facility upgrades and was involved publicly in team matters (notable controversies include treatment of coach David Blatt; team later experienced LeBron James departures and returns).
Purchased the Cleveland Cavaliers
Gilbert bought the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers for $375 million (then a record price for an NBA team).
Quicken Loans recognized repeatedly by JD Power and Fortune (multi-year)
Quicken Loans / Rocket Mortgage achieved multiple customer service and 'best company' recognitions: JD Power Highest Customer Satisfaction Award (16 total awards across origination & servicing) and repeated inclusion in Fortune's 'Best Companies to Work For' (2005–2017).
Purchased the Cleveland Monsters (AHL)
Gilbert purchased the Cleveland Monsters, an American Hockey League team affiliated with the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets.
Launched nonprofit Bizdom
Gilbert launched Bizdom, a nonprofit to promote entrepreneurship (tech and brick-and-mortar) in Detroit and Cleveland by supporting local service providers.
Announced move of company HQ to downtown Detroit
Gilbert and the City of Detroit announced an agreement to move Quicken Loans' headquarters to downtown Detroit as part of urban revitalization efforts.
Backed statewide casino referendum in Ohio
Gilbert and partners backed a successful November 2009 referendum to bring casino gaming to Ohio's four largest cities.
Moved 3,600 Michigan-based employees to downtown Detroit
By the end of 2010 all 3,600 Michigan-based Quicken Loans employees had relocated to Detroit's urban core as part of the HQ move plan.
Purchased Chase Tower and other Detroit properties (Bedrock acquisitions)
Through Bedrock and affiliated companies Gilbert began buying major downtown Detroit buildings (e.g., Chase Tower) as part of city revitalization.
Co-founded Bedrock (real estate firm)
Gilbert co-founded Bedrock, a Detroit-based full-service real estate firm specializing in acquiring, leasing, financing, and managing commercial and residential space.
Established Gilbert Family Foundation and NF Forward (timeline: philanthropic entity formation)
Gilbert and his wife Jennifer established the Gilbert Family Foundation (2015 referenced for foundation; NF Forward launched 2017) to support neurofibromatosis research and broader philanthropic priorities.
Opened Jack Cleveland Casino (Gilbert-backed JV with Caesars) in Cleveland
The first casino developed by Gilbert's joint venture with Caesars, Jack Cleveland Casino, opened in May 2012 following the 2009 referendum.
Joined The Giving Pledge
Dan and his wife Jennifer Gilbert joined the Giving Pledge, committing to give half of their wealth to philanthropy during their lifetimes.
Founded Rockbridge Growth Equity (founding partner)
Gilbert was a founding partner in private equity group Rockbridge Growth Equity LLC, which invests in financial services, internet technology and consumer-direct businesses.
Acquired controlling interest in Greektown Casino-Hotel
Rock Ventures formed Athens Acquisition LLC (affiliate of Rock Gaming) and acquired majority interest in Greektown Superholdings Inc., owner of Greektown Casino-Hotel in downtown Detroit.
Founded / is a founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners (DVP)
Gilbert is a founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners, a venture capital firm funding early-stage Detroit tech companies (DVP portfolio includes multiple local startups).
Named co-chair of Detroit Blight Removal Task Force
Gilbert was named co-chair of Detroit's Blight Removal Task Force; the group later published a detailed plan to remove blighted structures.
Reported cumulative downtown Detroit investment grows (media coverage)
By mid-2010s reporting Gilbert's investments in downtown Detroit were widely cited — examples indicated more than $1.6 billion invested in downtown and dozens of major properties acquired.
Announced $500 million investment to assist low-income Detroit residents
Gilbert committed a $500 million investment package to assist low-income residents and local organizations in Detroit; the first $15M went to eliminate property tax debt of ~20,000 homeowners.
Rockbridge Growth Equity acquires Gas Station TV (example portfolio activity)
Rockbridge, a private equity group with Gilbert as a founding partner, announced acquisition activity including Gas Station TV (Rockbridge portfolio and related deals in 2013–2014 era).
Established neurofibromatosis research professorships and clinics
Gilbert funded and established NF research clinics / professorships at Children's National Medical Center (Washington, D.C.) and Dana Children's Hospital (Tel Aviv); Children's National dedicated Gilbert Family professorships Jan 15, 2014.
Blight removal plan published
The Blight Removal Task Force published a detailed plan (May 2014) to remove all blighted structures and lots in the City of Detroit.
Purchased Book Tower in Detroit for $30M
Gilbert purchased the historic Book Tower in Detroit for approximately $30 million as part of Bedrock's downtown acquisitions.
Made $750,000 political donation to Chris Christie
Gilbert donated $750,000 to Chris Christie's presidential candidacy (reported 2015).
Co-founded StockX (sneaker resale marketplace)
Gilbert was a co-founder / early backer of StockX, a 'stock market of things' for high-demand, limited-edition products such as sneakers (StockX founded 2016).
Cleveland Monsters win Calder Cup (AHL champions)
The Cleveland Monsters, owned by Gilbert, won the Calder Cup in 2016.
Cleveland Cavaliers win first NBA Championship
Under Gilbert's ownership the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship—Cleveland's first major professional sports title in 52 years (2016).
Donated $5 million to Wayne State University Law School
Gilbert donated $5 million to Wayne State University Law School in September 2016 (his law alma mater).
Donated $15 million to Michigan State University (Breslin Center project)
In October 2016 Gilbert donated $15 million toward a planned $50M renovation project at Michigan State University's Breslin Center.
Quicken Loans becomes largest US retail mortgage lender by volume (Q4 2017)
In Q4 2017 Quicken Loans (Gilbert's company) became the largest retail mortgage lender by volume in the United States.
Named to lead Detroit's Amazon HQ2 bid committee
Detroit Mayor appointed Gilbert to lead a committee to make a bid for Amazon's HQ2 (September 2017).
Multimillion-dollar investment into esports org 100 Thieves
Gilbert made a multimillion-dollar investment into esports organization 100 Thieves (announced Nov 2017).
Purchased Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com
Gilbert acquired online properties Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com (announced Nov 2018).
Sold Greektown Casino-Hotel to Vici Properties
Gilbert sold Greektown Casino to Vici Properties in 2019 (coverage referenced a roughly $1 billion sale).
Treated for a stroke
On May 26, 2019, Dan Gilbert was hospitalized and treated for a stroke.
Controlled ~79% of Rocket Companies shares
As of 2020 Gilbert remained the majority owner of Rocket Companies, reported controlling roughly 79% of shares.
Donated $1.2M for COVID-19 relief in Detroit
Gilbert contributed approximately $1.2 million to help COVID-19 relief efforts in Detroit (2020).
Quicken Loans / Rocket Companies IPO (NYSE: RKT)
Quicken Loans group (Rocket Companies) went public in August 2020, debuting on NYSE under ticker 'RKT'; initial offering details included 100M shares at $18 in some reports.
Pledged $500 million investment in Detroit via Gilbert Family Foundation & Rocket Community Fund
The Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund pledged to invest $500M in the Detroit metro area over 10 years, including $15M to pay off property-tax debt for lower-income homeowners.
Inducted into Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame
Gilbert was an inductee in the Ohio Basketball Hall of Fame (inducted class of 2021) for his leadership of the Cavaliers and Cleveland sports investments.
Donated $30 million to Cranbrook Academy of Art
Gilbert and family made a $30M donation to Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan (2021 announcement).
Sold Cleveland casino interests and ceased affiliation with JACK Entertainment (reported)
In January 2021 Gilbert and his Family of Companies sold all interests in casinos; Ohio Casino Control Commission reports he is no longer affiliated with Jack Entertainment.
Rockbridge Growth Equity closes $345M fund
Gilbert-backed private equity group Rockbridge Growth Equity closed on a $345 million fund (reported May 27, 2021).
Gilbert Family commits additional $23M to neurofibromatosis efforts
Reported additional $23M commitment to fight NF and support research and clinics (Nov 14, 2022 report).
Donated nearly $400M to build rehabilitation facility at Henry Ford Health
The Gilbert Family donated nearly $400M to open the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab at the Henry Ford Health campus and established a $10M fund for uninsured Detroiters' rehabilitation access (2023 announcements).
Public philanthropic commitments exceed $1 billion (cumulative)
As of September 2023, Gilbert had committed more than $1 billion in philanthropic initiatives across education, health and community revitalization.
Death of eldest son Nicholas (Nick) Gilbert
Gilbert's eldest son Nick, who had neurofibromatosis, died on May 6, 2023 at age 26 after a long battle with the disease.
Rock Ventures / Bedrock cumulative Detroit holdings (reported data point)
By mid-2020s reporting noted Gilbert/Bedrock had acquired dozens of downtown Detroit buildings (reported totals in coverage: hundreds of properties and millions of sq ft; cited cumulative numbers include 131 properties and ~18M sq ft).
Dictionary.com & Thesaurus.com sold to IXL Learning
After Gilbert purchased Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com in 2018, the properties were later sold to IXL Learning (reported April 2024 acquisition of those sites).
Bloomberg net worth estimate (May 2025)
Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated Gilbert's net worth at US$27.4 billion, ranking him the 71st richest person (May 2025).
Forbes net worth estimate (May 2025)
Forbes estimated Dan Gilbert's net worth at US$22.5 billion, ranking him the 88th richest person in the world (May 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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