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David Koch: Billionaire Republican Donor Dies Aged 79

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David Koch: Billionaire Republican Donor Dies Aged 79

Billionaire David Koch, a major donor to the Republican party, has died aged 79. He had been suffering from cancer.

Billionaire David Koch

The former majority owner of Koch Industries was ranked by Forbes, jointly with brother Charles, as the 11th richest person in the world.

Koch wielded huge political influence, bankrolling conservative causes for small government, low regulation and climate change scepticism.

He was also a major donor to medical research, education and the arts.

In 2018 Koch stepped down from Koch Industries – which refines crude oil, produces fertiliser, and manufactures household products – citing his declining health.

He had been a philanthropist to the arts, especially ballet, and donated to New York’s Lincoln Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center hospital.

He ran for vice-president as a Libertarian in 1980, calling for the abolishment of many federal government agencies.

According to Forbes, he is estimated to be worth $42.4bn (£34.7bn).

The news of his death was confirmed in a statement from Charles Koch, who said that his brother was first diagnosed with prostate cancer 27 years ago and given only a few years to live.

He also described David as having a “giant personality and passion for life” and noted his “institution changing philanthropic commitments to hospitals, cancer research, education and the arts”.

‘Pushed Republicans to the right’

David Koch, who was born in Wichita, once said: “Hell, everybody from Kansas is a Republican.”

In fact, there are plenty of Democrats in Kansas. But he was right about this – conservatism permeates the state. Kansas is a place where people believe in the individual spirit, free trade and free markets – and like to rail against Washington.

The company founded by Charles and David Koch – the second largest privately owned business in the US – has interests ranging from pipelines to paper towels.

According to the Koch Industries website, they have more than 120,000 employees between all their businesses and subsidiaries.

They have previously put money into groups denying climate change and attacking unions and workers’ rights.

The brothers’ political clout made them bogeymen for many on the political left.

But they Kochs have also pushed for criminal justice reform and made large donations to the American Civil Liberties Union.