Early Life
Jorge M. Pérez was born on October 17, 1949, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to Cuban parents of Spanish descent. In 1959, his family moved from Cuba to Bogotá, Colombia, before relocating to Miami in 1968. He graduated from Long Island University, Post, with a bachelor's degree in economics in 1972 and earned a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Michigan in 1976.
Rise to Success
Pérez began his career as an Economic Development Director with the city of Miami. In 1979, he co-founded The Related Group in partnership with New York real estate developer Stephen M. Ross. The company initially focused on building and operating low-income, multi-family apartments in Miami. By the mid-1980s, the company had become the largest affordable housing builder in Florida. Pérez later transitioned into high-end condo construction. He has since developed or managed more than 90,000 residences, mostly in South Florida.
Key Business Strategies
Related Group's success is attributed to several key strategies. The company focuses on creating communities with innovative design, quality, and inclusive living. They often partner with world-renowned architects, designers, and artists. Related Group has also diversified its developments, branching out to other cities like Orlando, Tampa, Atlanta, and various locations in Texas and other states. A significant part of their strategy involves incorporating museum-quality art into their projects, creating distinctive and dynamic environments.
Philanthropy
Pérez is a dedicated philanthropist. In 2011, he donated $35 million in cash and art to the Miami Art Museum, which was subsequently renamed the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). He has pledged to donate his entire art collection to the museum after his death. In 2012, he and his wife signed the Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of their wealth to charitable causes. The Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation, launched in 2015, supports nonprofits focused on arts and culture, health and well-being, education, the environment, and economic development. In 2021, he donated $33 million to the Miami Foundation. In October 2025, the Jorge M. Pérez Family Foundation celebrated its tenth anniversary and announced the 2025 Pérez CreARTE grant recipients, distributing more than $5 million across 43 projects. His lifetime contributions to arts and community programs exceed $200 million.