Stockton Rush net worth: Here’s how rich the CEO of OceanGate was

Was Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush a millionaire at the time of his passing?

Stockton Rush

Stockton Rush, the visionary leader who steered OceanGate Expeditions towards deep-sea exploration, left an undeniable mark on the world of ocean exploration. But beyond his accomplishments, questions linger about his personal wealth. In this article, we delve into the estimated net worth of the late American businessman and explore the factors that likely contributed to his financial standing at the time of his passing. Was he a millionaire, or did his wealth reach even greater heights? Read on to find the answer.

What was Stockton Rush net worth in 2023?

Stockton Rush’s exact wealth at the time of his death wasn’t publicly available, but reports suggest that he had an estimated net worth of 12 million USD to 25 million USD in 2023.

As the founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions, a company valued at $66 million, Rush likely received a significant salary. In addition, if Rush held an ownership stake in OceanGate, this likely generated income through dividends.

It’s also believed that Rush had other income sources outside of OceanGate, such as investments, consulting work, or intellectual property rights related to his aerospace background.

Stockton Rush as founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions
Stockton Rush as founder and CEO of OceanGate Expeditions

OceanGate Expeditions and Stockton Rush: An overview

OceanGate Expeditions, founded in 2009 by Stockton Rush, was a company dedicated to making deep-sea exploration more accessible and commercially profitable.

OceanGate’s goal was to make the deep sea more reachable for various purposes, including:

  • Scientific Research: Providing submersibles and expertise for researchers to gather data in the deep ocean, a previously challenging environment.
  • Exploration and Tourism: Offering expeditions, like dives to the wreck of the Titanic, for a price tag that could reach up to 250,000 USD per person.
  • Industry Applications: Using submersibles for inspections or mapping in support of oil & gas or other industries.
  • Technology: OceanGate used crewed submersibles like the five-person Antipodes and the custom-designed Titan to conduct dives. These submersibles aimed to be more cost-effective than traditional research vessels.

Stockton Rush was the driving force behind OceanGate. His vision and leadership shaped the company’s goals and operations. With a background in aerospace engineering, Rush played a significant role in designing and building OceanGate’s submersibles.

But Rush wasn’t just a leader from the office. He actively participated in expeditions, even leading some missions as a Mission Director.

What happened to Stockton Rush?

Stockton Rush tragically died in June 2023. Rush was on board OceanGate Expedition’s custom-designed submersible, the Titan, when it imploded during a dive into the wreck of the RMS Titanic.

A search and rescue operation involving multiple countries was launched but didn’t locate any survivors. Debris from the Titan was found near the wreck of the Titanic, confirming the vessel’s implosion and the likely deaths of those onboard, including Rush.

The cause of the implosion remains under investigation. However, some reports mentioned concerns raised about the Titan’s safety design prior to the accident. These concerns add a layer of complexity to Stockton Rush’s legacy. Although he was a visionary leader who pushed the boundaries of deep-sea exploration, the fatal accident also highlighted the potential risks involved.

Inside the OceanGate Titan tragedy

Is OceanGate Expeditions still around?

No, OceanGate Expeditions is not currently operational. News reports indicate that OceanGate suspended all exploration and commercial operations in July 2023. This suspension came after the tragic accident where its Titan submersible imploded during a dive, resulting in the death of Stockton Rush and others.

While the official investigations and the company’s shutdown process might still be ongoing, all signs point towards OceanGate Expeditions being out of business for the foreseeable future.

OceanGate Expeditions' website has been taken down since the Titan tragedy.
OceanGate Expeditions’ website has been taken down since the Titan tragedy.

Stockton Rush’s personal life

Stockton Rush, whose complete name is Richard Stockton Rush III, was born into a wealthy family in San Francisco, California, on March 31, 1962. He was the youngest of five children born to Ellen (née Davies) and Richard Stockton Rush Jr. His mother was from San Francisco, while his father was from Philadelphia.

Rush’s maternal grandfather, Ralph K. Davies, was a businessman, while His maternal grandmother, Louise Davies, was a philanthropist and the namesake of San Francisco’s Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall.

As a child, Rush dreamt of becoming an astronaut and the first person on Mars, He also had an interest in aviation and aquatics. In fact, he began scuba diving at age 12 and became a commercial pilot at 18 years old.

Rush graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1980. Four years later, Rush received a Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from Princeton University. In 1989, he received a Master of Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley.