The incredible rise of billionaire Donald Bren, the richest real estate developer in America

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Donald Bren

AP/Reed Saxon

California native Donald Bren is the wealthiest real estate developer in America, according to our list of the 50 richest people on earth, produced in collaboration with Wealth-X.

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The mogul has an estimated net worth of $17 billion that comes primarily from his development and property investments in Southern California.

Bren's privately-held real estate investment company, Irvine Company, has a portfolio of properties that exceeds 110 million square feet and includes office buildings, apartments, marinas, and hotels, most of which is located in picturesque Orange County.

At 83 years old, the former US Marine is still running the show as chairman of Irvine Company - here's the story behind his success.