World-Renowned Architect Frank Gehry Dies at 96 Creator of the Guggenheim Bilbao (Source: Wikipedia)
Frank Gehry, one of the most influential architects of the last century, has died at the age of 96. His death was confirmed by his chief of staff, Meaghan Lloyd. Frank Owen Gehry, a Canadian-American architect and designer, reshaped the world of modern architecture with his bold and experimental style. He became internationally famous for the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, a titanium-covered masterpiece that opened in 1997 and is widely seen as one of the most significant buildings of the modern era.
Frank Gehry was a well known Canadian-American architect and designer known for his sculptural, dramatic, and unconventional buildings. His style, often linked to deconstructivism, used unusual materials and flowing forms that turned many of his projects into global landmarks.
Frank Gehry moved to Los Angeles in 1947 and studied architecture at the University of Southern California, later attending the Harvard Graduate School of Design for a short time. In 1954, he changed his last name to Gehry due to antisemitism.
As a child, Gehry showed strong creativity. His grandmother, Leah Caplan, played an important role in nurturing his imagination by helping him build small houses and cities from scrap wood a pastime that shaped his passion for design. Frank Gehry founded his firm, Gehry Partners, in Los Angeles in 1962. One of his first major works was the redesign of his own home in Santa Monica, where he used industrial materials such as corrugated metal and chain-link fencing a daring approach that brought him early recognition.
Gehry’s work was known for blending art and architecture, inspired by artists like Constantin Brâncuși and the California “funk” art movement. He became a pioneer in using aerospace-grade computer technology to convert his freehand sketches into complex, buildable structures.
Frank Gehry's estimated net worth of $100 million is approximately ₹9 billion (900 crore rupees), based on the current exchange rate of approximately ₹90 INR to 1 USD as of December 6, 2025.
Gehry received virtually every major accolade in his field, including the prestigious Pritzker Prize in 1989.
Frank Owen Gehry was born on February 28, 1929. He was 96 years old when he passed away.
Gehry’s parents were Sadie Thelma and Irving Goldberg. His father was born in New York City to Russian-Jewish parents, while his mother was a Polish-Jewish immigrant.
Many of Gehry’s works, including his famous Santa Monica residence, have become cultural icons. He first gained major attention in the 1970s for using everyday materials in unexpected ways and creating buildings with bold, energetic shapes.
Frank Gehr had two daughters from his first marriage, Leslie and Brina, as well as his wife, Berta Isabel Aguilera, and their two sons, Alejandro and Samuel were together.
Gehry is best known for his postmodern architecture and his daring use of striking forms and unconventional materials. His notable works include:
The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao (Spain)
The Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles)
The Louis Vuitton Foundation (Paris)
His earlier breakthrough came with the redesign of his Santa Monica home, where he used materials like chain-link fencing, plywood, and corrugated metal a project that changed the course of his career and challenged traditional architectural ideas.
Gehry changed his surname from Goldberg to Gehry in his 20s after facing antisemitism. He later expressed regret about the decision, saying that it led him to reconnect even more strongly with his Jewish identity.
Many people consider Frank Lloyd Wright to be one of the greatest architects in history.
Gehry’s sketches are famous for their loose, flowing lines, which echo the movement and freedom seen in his buildings. He often described each project as “a sculptural object, a spatial container, a space with light and air.”
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