David Simon: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

David Simon’s Profile Summary

Company	Simon Property Group
Position	Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Source of wealth	David Simon’s wealth primarily comes from **management and performance fees from Simon Property Group, stock options and ownership stakes
Also known as	David Simon is also known for his philanthropic efforts and board memberships at prestigious organizations.
Age	64
Education	Indiana University - Bachelor's degree in Business, Columbia Business School - MBA
Citizenship	United States
Residence	Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
Family	David Simon is married to Jacqueline Freed Simon, and they have five children together.
Website, Social Media	https://www.simonpropertygroup.com/

Biography

David Simon is a prominent figure in the real estate industry, particularly known for his leadership at Simon Property Group, a global leader in retail real estate. Born into a family with deep roots in real estate, David Simon pursued a business education, earning his undergraduate degree from Indiana University in 1983 and an MBA from Columbia Business School in 1985. He began his career in investment banking, working at First Boston and later at Wasserstein Perella & Co. In 1990, he joined his family’s business, which would later become Simon Property Group. Under his leadership, the company went public in 1993 with a record-breaking IPO. Simon has been instrumental in expanding the company’s footprint, making it the largest retail real estate company in the U.S. He is also recognized for his involvement in international real estate through his role as Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Klépierre, a major retail property company based in Paris. Simon has been honored multiple times as one of the world’s top-performing CEOs by publications like Harvard Business Review and Barron’s. Beyond his business career, Simon has contributed to philanthropic efforts and serves on several prestigious boards

How did David Simon make money?

David Simon makes money in the following areas:

David Simon’s wealth primarily comes from **management and performance fees from Simon Property Group, stock options and ownership stakes
What is David Simon net worth?

As of 2026, David Simon’s net worth is estimated to be $174M.

What is David Simon also known as?

David Simon has made a significant impact through his philanthropic activities, particularly in education and healthcare. He and his family have donated to institutions such as Indiana University, where they funded life sciences buildings. Simon also serves on the board of Apollo Global Management, a prominent private equity firm, and has played a role in other real estate ventures, such as Klépierre SA, a French real estate investment trust. His influence extends beyond business into his involvement in charitable and civic organizations, where he focuses on community development and higher education

Prominent achievements

David Simon has been repeatedly recognized as one of the world’s best-performing CEOs by the Harvard Business Review, and he was named one of the World’s Best CEOs by Barron's Magazine in 2013. Under his leadership, Simon Property Group became the largest retail real estate company in the world, achieving significant milestones in acquisitions and property developments

What are David Simon’s key insights?

David Simon is known for his strategic foresight and tenacity in business. His leadership philosophy emphasizes innovation, disciplined financial management, and maintaining a long-term perspective. He is known for driving growth through acquisitions and aggressive expansion of Simon Property Group's portfolio while maintaining a strong balance sheet. Simon also values the importance of nurturing relationships with retailers and adapting to changing market dynamics

Personal life

David Simon and his wife, Jacqueline Freed, have five children, including their son Eli Simon, who is actively involved in the family business. Eli is emerging as a key figure within Simon Property Group and currently serves as a senior vice president. The family maintains a relatively private lifestyle, though they are known for their philanthropy, including significant contributions to education

Useful insights

Decision-making and success

Making the right decisions at the right time is often what sets successful people apart. Drawing on the experience of Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, here are some key lessons for improving your decision-making and achieving long-term success.

Create a decision-making framework

Ray Dalio advocates for a clear, principles-based approach to decision-making. Establish a set of guiding principles that you consistently apply when faced with choices. This will help you stay focused and avoid emotional or impulsive decisions.
Embrace transparency and open feedback

Dalio’s philosophy of radical transparency is about creating an environment where honest feedback is encouraged. Whether in your career or personal life, being open to criticism and maintaining transparency will help you grow and make better decisions.
Prepare for risks and manager them wisely

Success isn’t just about making the right moves—it's also about managing risks effectively. Always consider worst-case scenarios and have a plan in place to navigate them. Risk management is a crucial part of any decision-making process.