All about real estate baron Donald Bren — and the messy history with his estranged ‘man cave scammer’ son
Before California real estate magnate Donald Bren publicly disowned his son, David Bren, who was accused of running a scam involving a non-existent luxury “man cave,” there was a messy court battle between them that revealed intimate details about the billionaire’s personal life.
David Bren, 33, allegedly swindled investors out of $2 million by promoting a business that promised extravagant amenities for the ultra-rich but never materialized, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Donald Bren, the 93-year-old chairman of Irvine Company and one of the wealthiest real estate moguls in the US with a net worth of $19.2 billion, distanced himself from David and the scam, stating, “We do not have a personal or business relationship with this individual,” through his spokesperson Paul Hernandez.
Years ago, David and his sister Christie Alexis Bren filed a lawsuit against their father, seeking $400,000 per month in retroactive child support amounting to around $100 million. The lawsuit, initially filed by the children’s mother Jennifer McKay Gold, brought to light previously undisclosed aspects of Donald Bren’s personal life, including details of his relationships and private affairs.
Despite Donald’s immense wealth, he had managed to keep his personal life private until the court proceedings forced him to reveal aspects of his life, such as his multiple marriages and other children.
The legal battle highlighted the discrepancies between the children’s upbringing and Donald’s lavish lifestyle, with David and Christie’s lawyer arguing that they were entitled to a share of their father’s wealth. Donald’s legal team, on the other hand, emphasized the financial support he had provided for the children over the years.
Although Donald Bren won the court case, he agreed to continue paying for the children’s education until they turned 25. The ruling left David feeling embarrassed, while Gold expressed disappointment and anger at the outcome.
Donald Bren and David Bren have not responded to requests for comments on the matter.
