Age, Biography and Wiki
Robert Sarnoff was born on 2 June, 1918 in New York City, US, is an American businessman (1918–1997). Discover Robert Sarnoff's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 78 years old?
Popular As |
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Occupation |
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Age |
78 years old |
Zodiac Sign |
Gemini |
Born |
2 June 1918 |
Birthday |
2 June |
Birthplace |
New York City, US |
Date of death |
23 February, 1997 |
Died Place |
New York City, US |
Nationality |
United States
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We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 2 June.
He is a member of famous television with the age 78 years old group.
Robert Sarnoff Height, Weight & Measurements
At 78 years old, Robert Sarnoff height not available right now. We will update Robert Sarnoff's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.
Physical Status |
Height |
Not Available |
Weight |
Not Available |
Body Measurements |
Not Available |
Eye Color |
Not Available |
Hair Color |
Not Available |
Who Is Robert Sarnoff's Wife?
His wife is Esme O'Brien
Felicia Schiff Warburg (m. 1949-1969)
Anna Moffo (m. 1974)
Family |
Parents |
Not Available |
Wife |
Esme O'Brien
Felicia Schiff Warburg (m. 1949-1969)
Anna Moffo (m. 1974) |
Sibling |
Not Available |
Children |
3 |
Robert Sarnoff Net Worth
His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Robert Sarnoff worth at the age of 78 years old? Robert Sarnoff’s income source is mostly from being a successful television. He is from United States. We have estimated Robert Sarnoff's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.
Net Worth in 2024 |
$1 Million - $5 Million |
Salary in 2024 |
Under Review |
Net Worth in 2023 |
Pending |
Salary in 2023 |
Under Review |
House |
Not Available |
Cars |
Not Available |
Source of Income |
television |
Robert Sarnoff Social Network
Instagram |
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Imdb |
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Timeline
Robert W. Sarnoff (July 2, 1918 – February 23, 1997) was an American businessman best known as the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Radio Corporation of America (RCA) after assuming those positions on the retirement of his father, David Sarnoff.
During his rise through the company's ranks, he was best known for his advocacy of color television.
Robert was born in New York City on July 2, 1918, the first of three sons of David Sarnoff.
He went to private schools for his basic education and then attended the Phillips Academy for high school.
In 1939 he graduated from Harvard University with a bachelor's degree in government and philosophy.
After a year in Columbia Law School, Robert left to enter government service in the broadcasting arm of the Office of Strategic Services.
A year later he was commissioned in the US Navy and served in the South Pacific during World War II.
After the war, he took a series of positions in media, for a short time as the assistant publisher at The Des Moines Register and Tribune and then moving to Look Magazine.
After avoiding RCA for some time, Robert Sarnoff took a position as an account executive at RCA's National Broadcasting Company (NBC) in 1948 and held various posts within the company over the next few years.
Throughout, he was a strong advocate of RCA'S development of color television.
Sarnoff married Esme O'Brien and had a daughter Rosita before divorcing in 1949.
In 1953, he broadcast the first commercial program in color, a production of his commissioned opera, "Amahl and the Night Visitors".
His work with NBC required constant travel, during which time he became an avid art collector.
In 1956, he was promoted to the president of NBC, replacing Sylvester Weaver.
At the time he stated that "We are committed to color and intend to make the transition as fast as possible."
He commissioned the first all-color television station, WNBQ-TV in Chicago (which later became WMAQ-TV) and began an expansion of NBC's broadcasting network.
Through this period, NBC was a leader in racial integration, the first network to broadcast a program hosted by Nat King Cole, and the first to have a black actor in a leading role with Bill Cosby in I Spy.
In 1965, Robert replaced his father as president of RCA, and in 1967, the chief executive officer (CEO).
One of Robert's first actions as CEO was to begin modernizing RCA's image.
He retired the original RCA lightning-bolt logo and introduced a new logo featuring just the three letters 'RCA' in a modern squared font.
He also largely abandoned the use of the Nipper/"His Master's Voice", "Victor" and "Victrola" trademarks, retaining them only for limited use by RCA Records.
That year he married Felicia Schiff Warburg and had two more daughters, Serena and Claudia, before divorcing in 1969.
Through the early 1970s, Sarnoff attempted to build RCA into a multinational conglomerate which included rental cars, carpet manufacturing, book publishing and sold frozen vegetables.
Focus on RCA's core technology businesses waned and also resulted in the selling of their computer division at a massive financial loss.
David Sarnoff fell seriously ill in 1970 and was removed from the board, at which point Robert became chairman of the board as well as CEO.
In 1970, Felicia remarried to Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr. Robert became known for a series of brief relationships with various recording stars he met through RCA Records.
The elder Sarnoff died in December, 1971.
Earlier that year, Robert sold RCA's computer division to Sperry Rand at a $490 million loss, an action which resulted in significant criticism within the company.
Over the next several years he sought to build RCA into a multinational conglomerate, purchasing Random House, Hertz car rental service, Banquet Foods and several other companies.
Through this period, RCA's core business in the technology and home entertainment fields began to decline.
The company's new direction was not particularly successful, and RCA struggled during the 1973–1975 recession.
After five years as chairman, a "palace revolt" by the board and senior RCA executives removed Sarnoff from the CEO position.
The effects of the 1973–1975 recession hit the company particularly hard and Sarnoff was put under increasing pressure.
Sarnoff was a member of the boards of the New York Stock Exchange and a member of the New York Friars Club.
RCA reinstated the Nipper/"His Master's Voice" trademarks after Robert was ousted in 1975.
This came to a head in 1975 when the board removed Robert in what has been called a "palace revolt".
After Sarnoff's unsuccessful tenure, RCA never recovered its former stature and was purchased by General Electric in 1986, which liquidated most of the company's assets.
After a struggle with cancer, Robert Sarnoff died in 1997 at the age of 78.