| Real Name | Gayle Cook |
|---|---|
| Net Worth 2025 | $4 billion USD |
| Birthday (Year-Month-Day) | 1934-3-1 |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | Businesswoman |
| Height | m or 0 ft 0 inches |
| Weight | kg or 0 pounds |
| Marital Status | Widow (William Cooks) |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Education | Indiana University |
| Kids | 1 |
| Kids Names | Carl |
Gayle Cook | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gayle Karch March 1, 1934 Evansville, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | August 17, 2025 (aged 91) |
| Alma mater | Indiana University Bloomington |
| Occupations |
|
| Spouse | |
| Children | Carl |
Gayle Cook (née Karch, March 1, 1934 – August 17, 2025) was an American businesswoman who in 1963 co-founded the Cook Group, a medical equipment manufacturing company, with her husband William Cook.[1][2] In 2014, her net worth was estimated at US$5.8 billion.[3]
Early life and education
Gayle Karch[4] was born on March 1, 1934, in Evansville, Indiana, the daughter of Arthur and Thelma Karch.[5] She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Indiana University Bloomington in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in fine arts.[6]
Career
In 1963, she and her husband William Cook co-founded the Cook Group, a medical equipment manufacturer.[7][8] As of 2013, she still served on the company's board of directors.[2]
According to Forbes, she had a net worth of $5.8 billion in 2014,[7] up from $5.2 billion in 2013, placing her at #85 on the Forbes 400 for the year.[2]
Philanthropy
Cook made charitable contributions to her alma mater, Indiana University, and was on the board of the Indiana University Foundation.[6] She received the Gertrude Rich Award in 1983 and an honorary doctorate in 1993, both from Indiana University.[6]
She and her husband funded the restoration of many historic buildings, mainly in southern Indiana, including 40 that appear on the National Register of Historic Places.[4] She was a co-founder of the Monroe County Historical Society Museum, a member of the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana, and a landmark member of The Nature Conservancy.[6]
Personal life and death
Gayle Cook was married to William Cook from 1957 until his death in 2011.[9] Their son, Carl Cook, succeeded William as CEO upon the latter's death.[10] She also has a granddaughter.[4] She co-authored two books on local landmarks, A Guide to Southern Indiana (1972, with William Cook) and Monroe County in Focus (1990, with Diana Hawes and Will Counts).[6]
In March 1989, Cook was kidnapped and held for ransom by a failing investment broker named Arthur Curry. He was apprehended 26 hours later.[11]
Cook died on August 17, 2025, at the age of 91.[12]
Bibliography
- A Guide to Southern Indiana (with William Cook, Owen Litho Service, 1972).
- Monroe County in Focus: Portrait of an Indiana County (with Diana Hawes and Will Counts, Discovery Press, 1990).
References
- ^ McLaughlin, Kathleen (September 22, 2011). Gayle Cook tops list of richest Hoosiers. Indianapolis Business Journal. Retrieved September 22, 2011.
- ^ a b c "240 Gayle Cook" (paper). The Forbes 400. Forbes: 161. October 7, 2013.
- ^ "Forbes profile: Gayle Cook". Forbes. March 3, 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Martin, Douglas (April 25, 2021). "Bill Cook, Medical Device Maker, Dies at 80". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ The Bill Cook Story: Ready, Fire, Aim!. Indiana University Press. 2008. ISBN 9780253352545.
- ^ a b c d e "Honoree: Search Awards: University Honors & Awards: Indiana University". Indiana University Honors and Awards. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ a b "Gayle Cook". Forbes. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
- ^ Preservationist Gayle Cook to discuss 'The Mystique of Domes'. Indiana State University Newsroom. October 17, 2011. Archived March 4, 2016, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 4, 2016.
- ^ Velasco, Schuyler (March 5, 2013). Forbes billionaires list: Meet the nine richest self-made women. The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved March 5, 2013.
- ^ Zaltsberg, Bob (August 6, 2016). "Carl Cook inherited his father's company — and his vision". The Herald-Times. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- ^ "Much unknown about new Cook Group CEO". Indianapolis Business Journal. April 20, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
- ^ "Cook Group Cofounder and Preservationist Gayle Cook Dies at 91". The Bloomingtonian. August 17, 2025. Retrieved August 17, 2025.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
Fact Sheet
- Gayle Cook's real name is Gayle Cook
- Gayle Cook's nationality is United States
- What does Gayle Cook do? Gayle Cook's job is being a(n) Businesswoman
- Gayle Cook celebrates their birthday on 3-1
- Gayle Cook is 91 years old
- Gayle Cook's relationship status is Widow (William Cooks)
- Which college/university did Gayle Cook go to? Gayle Cook went to Indiana University
- Gayle Cook has 1 child/children
- Gayle Cook kid's name is Carl
FAQ
Tags: Gayle Cook net worth 2025, 2025 net worth Gayle Cook 2025, what is the 2025 net worth of Gayle Cook , what is Gayle Cook net worth 2025, how rich is Gayle Cook 2025, Gayle Cook wealth 2025, how wealthy is Gayle Cook 2025, Gayle Cook valuation 2025, how much money does Gayle Cook make 2025, Gayle Cook income 2025, Gayle Cook revenue 2025, Gayle Cook salary 2025, Gayle Cook annual income 2025, Gayle Cook annual revenue 2025, Gayle Cook annual salary 2025, Gayle Cook monthly income 2025, Gayle Cook monthly revenue 2025, Gayle Cook monthly salary 2025