David Choe Net Worth

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David Choe Net Worth

David Choe, a talented artist from America known for his paintings, street art, graphic novels, and large wall paintings, has gathered a fortune worth $300 million by 2023. His rise from the streets of Los Angeles to fame as an artist is truly extraordinary.

A key event that greatly boosted his wealth was his work with Facebook. Wondering how he earned a huge amount from Facebook? Let’s explore what’s known about David Choe’s income.

Who is David Choe? 

David Choe is an American artist known for his diverse artistic endeavors, including painting, graffiti, graphic novels, and murals. Here are some key points about him:

  • Born to Korean immigrants in Los Angeles in 1976, Choe’s artistic journey was influenced by graffiti artists and his love for “Star Wars” and “G.I. Joe.”
  • After the 1992 L.A. riots impacted his family’s business, he traveled extensively, which shaped his artistic perspective.

Biography

Birth Date April 21, 1976
Birthplace Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality American
Education California College of the Arts
Known For Painter, murals, graphic novels
Notable Works Illustrated and written for magazines including Hustler, Ray Gun, and Vice
Artistic Style Figurative paintings exploring themes of desire, degradation, and exaltation (“dirty style”)
Career Highlights Self-published graphic novel “Slow Jams” in 1996, Created murals for Facebook’s offices, Solo exhibits in San Jose, San Francisco, and New York, Autobiographical documentary “Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe” with Harry Kim, Ongoing relationship with Asian pop culture website Giant Robot

Notable Achievements of David Choe 

David Choe’s art has been displayed in renowned places like the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. His books, “Bruised Fruit” and “Slow Jams,” became well-known and strengthened his status as an artist with many talents.

A key turning point in his life happened with Facebook’s involvement. This major online platform greatly influenced his financial success.

Career Highlights

  • In 1996, Choe self-published a graphic novel titled “Slow Jams,” distributing only 200 copies at Comic-Con.
  • He received the Xeric Grant in 1999, allowing him to self-publish an expanded edition of “Slow Jams.”
  • Internet entrepreneur Sean Parker commissioned Choe to paint graphic sexual murals in Facebook’s first Silicon Valley office in 2005.
  • Despite initially finding Facebook’s business model “ridiculous and pointless,” Choe chose company stock instead of cash for the murals.
  • His shares were valued at approximately $200 million on the eve of Facebook’s 2012 IPO.
  • Choe has held solo exhibits in San Jose, San Francisco, New York, and the UK.
  • He co-directed the autobiographical documentary “Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe” in 2008.
  • Choe’s work spans various media, including fine art, music, acting, and podcast hosting.

Media Appearances

  • Choe appeared on shows like “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” (CNN) and “VICE” (HBO), both of which won Emmys for Outstanding Informational Series.
  • He directed music videos and provided the voice for a character in the film “We Are The Strange.”
  • Choe’s popularity extends to comics, books, apparel, music, films, and television.

How Did He Make Money From Facebook?

David Choe started working with Facebook when Sean Parker, the president of Facebook, asked him to create wall paintings at their main office in Silicon Valley.

Parker wanted to change the look of Facebook’s first office with Choe’s colorful and unique wall paintings. Even though Choe was not sure about social media like MySpace and doubted Facebook’s future, he decided to go ahead with the big project. He was paid a large amount of $60,000 for it.

But the most important moment was when Parker gave Choe an option: take the money or get company shares. At that time, Facebook was not the big company it is now and many thought investing in it was risky. Still, Parker suggested Choe should take the shares. Choe chose the shares, which was a bold and unusual choice.

Choosing Facebook shares was a risk because no one knew what would happen with the company. However, when Facebook started selling its shares to the public at $38 each in 2012, Choe’s shares became very valuable. The share price went up, and shares were selling for more than $171. This made Choe a millionaire very quickly.

After that, Facebook’s shares grew a lot, making Choe’s shares worth between $300 million and $500 million.

Choe’s story of earning money from Facebook shows that sometimes life gives us chances we do not expect. He was ready to take a chance and get shares in a company he once thought was silly, and this decision brought him a lot of money and changed his life.

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David Choe’s Skills Beyond the Canvas

David Choe is not just skilled in painting and street art. He also shared hosting duties on the “DVDASA” podcast alongside Asa Akira, an adult film actress, from 2013 to 2015. Besides his work on the podcast, Choe has appeared as a guest on well-known television series such as “The Mandalorian,” “Better Things,” “Vice,” and “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown.” 

He published a book titled “David Choe” in 2020 and has worked with famous music artists like Jay-Z and Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park.

Legacy and Influence

David Choe’s legacy is marked by his influence on both the street art scene and the broader contemporary art world. His transition from the streets to galleries and high-profile commissions demonstrates how the art world has increasingly embraced graffiti and street art as legitimate forms of expression. While Choe’s work and persona remain polarizing, his impact on contemporary art, particularly in the realm of urban art and culture, is undeniable.

Conclusion

David Choe’s rise from simple origins to amassing a fortune of $300 million by 2023 showcases his exceptional artistic ability and smart money choices. His partnership with Facebook, a company he initially thought was absurd, made him a prosperous artist.

Choe’s experience highlights that triumph can come from surprising chances and non-traditional decisions. His path encourages budding artists and businesspeople, demonstrating the remarkable opportunities available in life.

People May Ask

Why is David Choe so rich? 

David Choe’s wealth primarily comes from his decision to accept stock options instead of cash for painting murals at Facebook’s headquarters in 2005. This investment turned out to be incredibly lucrative when Facebook went public in 2012, catapulting Choe’s net worth to significant heights.

Who is the richest graffiti artist? 

David Choe is considered the richest graffiti artist, with an estimated net worth of $200 million, largely due to his early investment in Facebook.

How much is David Choe’s Facebook stock worth?

At the time of Facebook’s IPO, David Choe’s equity was valued at about $200 million. Since then, Facebook’s stock has experienced substantial growth, potentially increasing the value of Choe’s holdings to between $300-500 million.

How much does a David Choe painting cost? 

David Choe’s individual artworks sell for a range of prices, typically from $10,000 to over $300,000 at auction and through galleries. The exact price can vary depending on the piece and its size.