Larry Silverstein Net Worth

Larry Silverstein has an estimated net worth of $1 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Larry Silverstein profile (figures as of October 20, 2026).

Larry Silverstein is an American real estate developer and the chairman and founder of Silverstein Properties. He built his career in New York office property, starting in business with his father and later expanding on his own. After a split with Bernard Mendik in 1977, he bought major buildings in Midtown and Lower Manhattan. In 1980, he won the bid to develop 7 World Trade Center, a project that became one of his best-known deals.

His wealth comes from large-scale real estate development and long-term property ownership. A turning point came in 2001, when he signed a 99-year lease on the World Trade Center towers for $3.2 billion. After the September 11 attacks, Silverstein Properties and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey received a $4.55 billion insurance payout. His firm later developed 7, 2, and 3 World Trade Center, and is also behind 5 World Trade Center and 30 Park Place.

How Larry Silverstein built his fortune

Silverstein made his money in commercial real estate. In 1957, he established Silverstein Properties with his father, then spent years buying and developing Manhattan buildings. After ending his partnership with Bernard Mendik in 1977, he expanded his own portfolio in Midtown and Lower Manhattan. By 1978, he owned 5 buildings on Fifth Avenue, along with 44 Wall Street and a shopping center in Stamford, Connecticut.

A major source of his wealth came from the World Trade Center. In 1980, he won the right to build 7 World Trade Center. Then in July 2001, he signed a 99-year lease on the towers for $3.2 billion. After the site was destroyed in 2001, Silverstein kept rights to build 3 office towers under a 2006 agreement. His firm later developed 7, 2, and 3 World Trade Center, while 5 World Trade Center is planned as a residential tower.

Forbes net worth and the World Trade Center

Forbes put Larry Silverstein's net worth at $1 billion on its real-time billionaires tracker as of October 20, 2026. Forbes places him in real estate and describes him as self-made. The same Forbes value appeared on its World's Billionaires lists for 2024, 2025, and 2026. That points to a fortune tied less to fast-moving markets and more to long-held property assets and development rights in the United States.

The biggest money story in his career is the rebuilding of the World Trade Center site. Silverstein Properties and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey ultimately received a $4.55 billion insurance payout after a long dispute with insurers. That payout supported new development on the site, where his firm built 7, 2, and 3 World Trade Center. Forbes also notes that Silverstein Partners owns nearly 16 million square feet across office, residential, and retail properties in the U.S.