Early Life
Daniel Morton Ziff was born in 1973 as the youngest of three sons to William Bernard Ziff Jr. His father was a media executive who expanded Ziff-Davis Inc., a publishing company that created well-known magazines such as PC Magazine and Car and Driver. Ziff graduated from Trinity School in New York City in 1989 and later earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia University in 1996.
Rise to Success
In 1994, Daniel Ziff and his brothers, Dirk and Robert, inherited the family fortune when their father sold 95% of Ziff-Davis Inc. for $1.4 billion. This inheritance became the primary capital for Ziff Brothers Investments, a New York City-based family office. The firm invested in equities, debt, real estate, commodities, private equity, and hedge funds. The brothers' investments significantly expanded their wealth. Their family office closed its hedge fund operations in 2014, and they now invest independently.
Key Business Strategies
Ziff Brothers Investments adopted a diversified investment approach across various sectors. The firm focused on strategic allocation and disciplined capital management, which contributed to the substantial growth of the family’s wealth. Daniel Ziff and his brothers also provided seed money to fund manager Daniel Och, which led to a 10% stake in Och-Ziff Capital Management.
Philanthropy
Daniel Ziff, along with his first wife, Leslie, established The Leslie and Daniel Ziff Foundation. This private foundation focuses on arts and culture, environmental initiatives, and health-related causes, often prioritizing programs based in Washington, D.C.. The foundation's annual grants have ranged from $50,000 to $200,000.