Frank Gehry's Life: Dies At 96, Architect's Iconic Buildings, Two Wives, Daughter's Death, Net Worth

Frank Gehry passed away on December 5, 2025, at the age of 96 at his residence in Santa Monica, California. According to Meaghan Lloyd, chief of staff at Gehry Partners LLP, the cause behind the death of one of the greatest architects of all time is a brief respiratory illness. The unfortunate news of his demise is trending across the internet, and people are paying their respects by lauding the legacy he left behind. Several prominent figures, including Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and others, have reacted to Frank Gehry's passing.

Frank Gehry, Canadian-American architect, dies at 96: A look at his iconic buildings that transformed their environments

One thing common to almost all the condolence messages on the internet is that almost everyone labeled him the "Titan of Architecture". The architect will always be remembered for his sculptural architecture, which transforms buildings into expressive and flowing forms. Throughout his illustrious career as an architect, the Canadian-American maestro delivered many breathtaking attractions. Still, some buildings and properties cemented his legacy as one of the greatest architects in modern history.

Some of Frank Gehry's most iconic buildings include Vitra Design Museum (Germany, 1989), Weisman Art Museum (USA, 1993), Dancing House (Czech Republic, 1996), Guggenheim Museum (Spain, 1997), Museum of Pop Culture (USA, 2000), Walt Disney Concert Hall (USA, 2003), Serpentine Pavilion (UK, 2008), 8 Spruce (USA, 2011), Fondation Louis Vuitton (France, 2014), and Luna Arles (France, 2021), Prospect Place (UK, 2022).

Here's why the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, is considered as Frank Gehry's best work as an architect

Among all these standing pieces of art, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, is often considered Frank Gehry's best work. The reason why it is considered the best design of his life is due to multiple factors. The giant sculpture is made of flowing metal, turning a building into a piece of art. Whether we talk about its curves, shine, unusual shape, or design, it completely changed the way museums should be. The building not only became a major tourist spot but also revived Bilbao's economy.

Frank Gehry's last project is the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi

According to a report in Deezen, Frank Gehry's last major cultural building is the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, which is reportedly set to open before the end of this year. However, as per some speculations, there could be a change in its opening, now that the architect is no longer with us. It's interesting how, while growing up, Gehry never set out to be an architect and was unsure about his passion even after college. Although Frank Gehry used to build modern cities as a child, he decided to pursue it after a ceramics teacher saw his potential and encouraged him.

Frank Gehry's journey from not being interested in pursuing architecture to renovating his Santa Monica home and winning the Pritzker Prize

However, even after completing college, Frank Gehry wasn't sure whether to pursue architecture. He went on to work in firms, served in the Army, and even left Harvard's design program mid-way. It was in the late 1970s that he remodeled his Santa Monica home with unusual materials like chain-link and plywood, which made headlines. The house created a huge buzz across the country and marked his first major breakthrough. After which, he pursued architecture and went on to become one of the greatest of all time. Gehry earned the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1989, which says everything about his career as an architect.

Frank Gehry's married life: Two wives, four children, and one daughter's death

Regarding Frank Gehry's family, he is survived by his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera, and their two children, Alejandro Gehry and Samuel Gehry. Gehry also had two daughters, Brina and Leslie, from his first marriage to Anita Snyder. A lesser-known fact about Gehry and Anita's marriage is that they had a daughter named Leslie Gehry Brenner, who died due to cancer in 2008. Despite being a living legend, Gehry preferred a quiet life and rarely discussed his wife and kids in the media.

Frank Gehry's net worth: Where did the iconic stand in the list of the world's richest architects?

Now that Frank Gehry is no longer with us, his fortune is estimated at around USD 100 million. According to a report on Celebrity Net Worth, at the time of his death, Gehry's net worth was estimated at around USD 100 million. According to several reports, Norman Foster is the world's richest architect, with USD 240 million, followed by Santiago Calatrava and Moshe Safdie, both with USD 100 million.

What are your thoughts on Frank Gehry's legacy as an architect? Let us know.

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