Calvin Klein, the legendary American fashion designer, is 83 years old. Born on November 19, 1942, in the Bronx, New York, he built one of the most recognizable fashion labels in the world before retiring from his company in 2003. His minimalist designs and famously provocative advertising campaigns — from Brooke Shields' jeans to Kate Moss and Mark Wahlberg's underwear — reshaped American fashion and made his name a global synonym for clean, modern style.
Klein is no longer involved in the day-to-day running of his brand, which is now owned by PVH Corp., but he remains one of the most influential figures fashion has ever produced. Here is the full story of his life, career, marriages, family, and fortune.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Calvin Richard Klein |
| Born | November 19, 1942 |
| Age | 83 years old |
| Birthplace | The Bronx, New York City, USA |
| Occupation | Fashion designer (retired) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Spouse/Partner | Jayne Centre (1964–1974, divorced); Kelly Klein (1986–2006, divorced) |
| Children | One daughter, Marci Klein |
| Estimated Net Worth | Around $700 million (FamousIntel estimate) |
Early Life and Career
Calvin Richard Klein was born into a Jewish family in the Bronx, New York, on November 19, 1942. His father, Leo Klein, was a grocer who had emigrated from Europe as a child, and his mother, Flore (née Stern), was the daughter of an American dentist and an Austrian seamstress. He grew up with an elder brother and a younger sister in the same Bronx neighborhood that would also produce fellow designer Ralph Lauren.
Klein's passion for fashion appeared early. He taught himself to sketch and sew as a child, then won a place at the High School of Art and Design in Manhattan. After graduating, he enrolled at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, where he studied apparel design and finished his degree in 1962. While at FIT he met Jayne Centre, a fellow student he had known since junior high, who would become his first wife.
After graduation, Klein apprenticed for a coat-and-suit manufacturer in New York's garment district and worked as an assistant designer for several houses, including a stint under menswear designer Dan Millstein. He found the work uninspiring and by 1968 was ready to strike out on his own. With $10,000 raised from his childhood friend Barry Schwartz, he launched Calvin Klein Limited — a coat and dress company run from a small showroom.
The breakthrough came almost immediately. A buyer from the exclusive department store Bonwit Teller saw Klein's clean, understated coats and dresses, placed a $50,000 order, and gave the line prominent window displays. Within a year his work was appearing in Harper's Bazaar and Vogue, and the young designer was dubbed the "new Yves Saint Laurent" for his elegant, uncluttered lines.
Klein changed American fashion again in 1974 with his tight-fitting designer jeans — the first time denim had been elevated to high fashion. They reportedly grossed $200,000 in their first week, and a provocative ad campaign featuring a teenage Brooke Shields ("You know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing") became a cultural landmark. He became the first designer to win the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) award for outstanding design in both men's and women's wear in the same year.
In 1982 he conquered the underwear market, turning basic boxer shorts and briefs into fashion statements with a famous campaign starring Olympic athlete-turned-photographer subject Tom Hintnaus. The 1990s brought even bolder ads — Kate Moss, Mark Wahlberg, and the "Nothing comes between me and my Calvins" revival — alongside blockbuster fragrances Obsession and Eternity. The label expanded into accessories, swimwear, eyewear, home goods, and the CK diffusion line.
By the late 1990s Klein was collecting industry honors, including the CFDA's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001. In 2003 he sold his company to Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation (today's PVH Corp.), which also owns Tommy Hilfiger. Klein stepped down from the brand and has lived in retirement since, though he returned to the fashion spotlight in 2025 when the brand's revived Collection debuted at New York Fashion Week with him in attendance. Today the brand — owned by PVH Corp. — continues to generate billions in annual revenue with celebrity-fronted campaigns starring the likes of Jung Kook of BTS and Raphinha.
Personal Life
Calvin Klein has been married twice. His first marriage was to his childhood sweetheart and FIT classmate, textile designer Jayne Centre, in 1964. The couple had one daughter, Marci Klein, before divorcing in 1974. Marci followed a different creative path than her father, becoming a successful television producer known for her work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, for which she won multiple Emmy Awards.
In 1986 Klein married Kelly Rector, a fashion photographer who became known as Kelly Klein. The marriage lasted two decades and ended in divorce in 2006. Klein later spoke openly about his personal life; in interviews he acknowledged that he had been living as a gay man privately for years before speaking publicly about his sexuality later in life.
His later relationships were widely reported in the press. He dated model and former actor Nicholas Gruber from 2010 to 2012, and since 2016 he has been in a relationship with Kevin Baker, a former advertising executive, who is reported as his current partner.
Retirement has treated Klein well. He has owned a string of notable properties, including a glass-and-concrete mansion in the Hamptons built on an oceanfront estate he bought in 2003, and homes in Miami Beach and Los Angeles. Known for his minimalist taste, he has largely stayed out of the public eye since leaving the industry, emerging occasionally for industry events and retrospectives celebrating his legacy.
Net Worth
Calvin Klein's net worth is estimated at around $700 million, according to FamousIntel, with other outlets placing his fortune in the $700 million to $800 million range. The foundation of his wealth is the 2003 sale of Calvin Klein Inc. to Phillips-Van Heusen, a deal reported at several hundred million dollars in cash plus stock, which made him one of the richest fashion designers in the world.
Royalties and licensing have continued to pad his fortune long after his retirement. Fragrances like Obsession, Eternity, and CK One, along with underwear, eyewear, watches, and accessories produced under license, generate ongoing income tied to the brand name he built. Real estate has been another major contributor — his high-end properties in the Hamptons, Miami Beach, and Los Angeles have appreciated significantly over the years.
For context, the brand itself is far larger than the man now: Calvin Klein Inc. is a multibillion-dollar business within PVH Corp., which posts annual revenues above $9 billion. The designer's personal fortune reflects the value of what he created — and sold — rather than the brand's current corporate scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Calvin Klein?
Calvin Klein is 83 years old. He was born on November 19, 1942, in the Bronx, New York City, and will turn 84 in November.
Is Calvin Klein married?
No. Calvin Klein is not currently married. He has been married twice — first to Jayne Centre (1964–1974) and later to Kelly Klein (1986–2006) — and both marriages ended in divorce. His reported partner since 2016 is Kevin Baker.
What is Calvin Klein's net worth?
Calvin Klein's net worth is estimated at around $700 million according to FamousIntel, with other estimates ranging from $700 million to $800 million. His wealth comes primarily from the 2003 sale of his company, ongoing licensing royalties, and real estate investments.
Who owns Calvin Klein now?
The Calvin Klein brand is owned by PVH Corp. (formerly Phillips-Van Heusen), which acquired Calvin Klein Inc. from the designer in 2003. PVH also owns Tommy Hilfiger. Calvin Klein the designer has had no operational role in the company since the sale.
What is Calvin Klein's brand history?
Calvin Klein founded his company in 1968 with partner Barry Schwartz, launching with coats and dresses before revolutionizing designer jeans in 1974, underwear in 1982, and fragrances like Obsession and Eternity in the late 1980s. After decades of provocative, era-defining advertising, he sold the business in 2003 and retired, while the brand continues under PVH Corp. today.
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