David Choe, the provocative and wildly talented American graffiti artist, painter, and muralist, has an estimated net worth of $300 million. Known for his bold, raw, and often controversial work, Choe has carved out an unconventional career that spans fine art, graphic novels, podcasting, and television. But his staggering fortune isn’t just the product of gallery shows or book sales—it’s rooted in one of the most legendary art-meets-tech deals in Silicon Valley history.
| David Choe Net Worth | $300 Million |
| Date of Birth | April 21, 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Graffiti Artist, Painter, and Muralist |
Early Life
David Choe was born on April 21, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, and raised in the Koreatown neighborhood by Korean immigrant parents who were devout born-again Christians. As a teenager, he began sketching images from Star Wars and G.I. Joe, and by the age of 14, he was experimenting with graffiti. His early influences included iconic LA graffiti artists like Hex and Mear One.
After dropping out of high school following the loss of his parents’ real estate business during the 1992 L.A. riots, Choe spent two years hitchhiking across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He later attended the California College of the Arts but left before graduating.
The Facebook Stock Windfall
In the early 2000s, David Choe was commissioned by Facebook president Sean Parker to paint murals at the company’s headquarters. When it came time to settle the bill, Parker—after consulting with then-CEO Mark Zuckerberg—offered Choe Facebook stock instead of cash. Choe agreed, accepting shares rather than the $60,000 he had originally quoted.
That decision turned out to be a masterstroke. At the time of Facebook’s 2012 IPO, Choe’s equity was estimated to be worth around $200 million. Since then, the value of Facebook stock has increased substantially, and while he no longer holds a publicly reportable stake, experts believe his holdings may have peaked at anywhere between $300 million and $500 million over the years.
Rise to Fame Through Graffiti, Comics, and Counterculture
Choe’s chaotic energy translated into an art style that defied convention. His early self-published comic book, Slow Jams (1999), earned him a Xeric Foundation grant and cult acclaim. He began illustrating for underground magazines such as Vice, Ray Gun, and Hustler, and became known for his iconic “bucktoothed whale” tag in the street art world.
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Despite several brushes with the law—including a prison stint in Japan—Choe’s work gained traction. He found alternative exhibition spaces like an ice cream shop on Melrose Avenue when traditional galleries rejected him. Over time, he began hosting solo exhibitions around the world, from New York and London to Mexico City and Seoul.
His friendship with filmmaker Harry Kim led to the 2008 documentary Dirty Hands: The Art and Crimes of David Choe, an unfiltered look into Choe’s life, art, and self-destructive tendencies.
Work Beyond the Canvas
Choe’s artistry extended into multimedia projects. He co-hosted the explicit and eccentric podcast DVDASA alongside adult film star Asa Akira. He has also appeared on TV shows like Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown (2013), Vice (2014), Better Things (2019), and even acted in The Mandalorian (2021). His voice work includes the lead role in the animated film We Are the Strange (2007), and he illustrated the cover for Collision Course, the 2004 EP by Jay-Z and Linkin Park.
Controversy
David Choe’s career has not been without turbulence. In 2014, he came under fire for comments made on his podcast in which he described “rapey behavior” toward a masseuse—comments he later claimed were fictional and part of a performance. Nonetheless, the backlash was swift, and protests followed, especially in 2017 when he was commissioned to paint the Bowery Mural Wall in New York. Choe eventually issued a public apology, stating:
“I have ZERO history of sexual assault. I am deeply sorry for any hurt I’ve brought to anyone through my past words… Non-consensual sex is rape and it is never funny or appropriate to joke about.”
Real Estate
In 2010, Choe purchased a 6,500-square-foot mansion in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, for $3.1 million. In September 2022, he listed the property for $6.9 million, reflecting the upward trajectory of his wealth and lifestyle over the years.
Philanthropy
Beyond his art, Choe has used his wealth and platform for charitable causes. He’s worked with Wyclef Jean’s Yle Haiti initiative and contributed to The LIDÈ Haiti Foundation by creating art with at-risk youth. His unconventional materials during a prison stay in Japan—drawing with soy sauce, tea, blood, and urine—only further speak to his boundary-pushing approach to creation.
David Choe Net Worth
David Choe net worth is $300 million.
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