Charles Brandes: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Charles Brandes’s Profile Summary

Company	Brandes Investment Partners
Position	Founder and Chairman of Brandes Investment Partners, a position he held until his retirement in 2018.
Source of wealth	Management fees and performance fees generated through Brandes Investment Partners' value-based investment strategies, particularly in global equity portfolios and emerging markets investments
Also known as	Author, Philanthropist, Board member.
Age	82
Education	Bucknell University – Bachelor’s Degree in Economics
Citizenship	United States
Residence	San Diego, California, USA
Family	Charles Brandes has been married four times. His second wife was Linda King Formo, with whom he divorced in 2004, and his third wife was Tanya Johnson, whom he divorced in 2018. He currently resides with his fourth wife, whom he married in 2020. Brandes does not have any children from his marriages
Website, Social Media	https://www.brandes.com/

Charles Brandes’s biography

Charles Brandes, born in 1943, is an American investor and value-investing proponent, strongly influenced by Benjamin Graham, the father of value investing. He founded Brandes Investment Partners in 1974 after a pivotal meeting with Graham, which shaped his approach to value investing. Brandes became one of the foremost advocates of this philosophy, focusing on undervalued securities that have the potential for long-term growth. Over his career, Brandes built his firm into a prominent global investment management company, managing both U.S. and international portfolios. Brandes is also the author of Value Investing Today (2003), in which he elaborated on his investment approach. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to Graham's strategies, consistently applying them across various market conditions, including during major economic crises like the dot-com bubble and the global financial crisis. Brandes stepped down from his leadership role at the firm in 2018 but remains recognized as a leading figure in value investing circles

How did Charles Brandes make money?

Charles Brandes makes money in the following areas:

Management fees and performance fees generated through Brandes Investment Partners' value-based investment strategies, particularly in global equity portfolios and emerging markets investments
What is Charles Brandes net worth?

As of 2025, Charles Brandes’s net worth is estimated to be $1.2B.

What is Charles Brandes also known as?

Charles Brandes is also known as an author of the book Value Investing Today (2003), which outlines his philosophy and approach to value investing, heavily influenced by Benjamin Graham. In addition to his investment career, Brandes has been active as a philanthropist, contributing to various causes, including educational institutions like the San Diego Jewish Academy through the Tanya and Charles Brandes Foundation. He also serves as a board member for several organizations involved in scientific, cultural, and charitable endeavors

Prominent achievements of Charles Brandes

Charles Brandes built Brandes Investment Partners into a globally recognized firm, managing over $125 billion at its peak. He is a highly regarded figure in value investing, having authored the well-received book Value Investing Today in 2003. His firm has consistently ranked among the top international equity fund managers, and he was listed among the world's billionaires by Forbes. Additionally, Brandes has contributed significantly to philanthropy, including large donations to the San Diego Jewish Academy and UC San Diego

What are Charles Brandes’s key insights?

Charles Brandes is a strict adherent to the principles of value investing, a philosophy deeply rooted in the teachings of Benjamin Graham. His approach emphasizes investing in undervalued stocks and holding them until the market recognizes their true worth. He believes in maintaining discipline during market fluctuations, consistently applying the Graham-Dodd approach, regardless of macroeconomic conditions. Brandes is known for staying calm during crises, seeing them as opportunities to acquire undervalued assets

Charles Brandes’s personal life

Charles Brandes' second marriage to Linda King Formo ended in 2004. They had no children and were involved in a high-profile divorce with a significant financial settlement. His third wife, Tanya Johnson, was involved in mutual allegations of domestic violence during their marriage, leading to their divorce in 2018. Brandes currently lives in Rancho Santa Fe, California, with his fourth wife, whom he married via Zoom in 2020, followed by a public celebration in 2021

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