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 N/A
Occupation N/A
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

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
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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

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Timeline

1918

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.

1939

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.

1948

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.

1949

Sarnoff married Esme O'Brien and had a daughter Rosita before divorcing in 1949.

1953

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.

1956

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.

1965

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.

1969

That year he married Felicia Schiff Warburg and had two more daughters, Serena and Claudia, before divorcing in 1969.

1970

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.

1971

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.

1973

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.

1974

In 1974, He married operatic soprano Anna Moffo.

Sarnoff was a member of the boards of the New York Stock Exchange and a member of the New York Friars Club.

1975

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".

1986

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.

1997

After a struggle with cancer, Robert Sarnoff died in 1997 at the age of 78.