Stockton Rush Net Worth: How Rich Was the OceanGate CEO?

Stockton Rush was the CEO and co-founder of OceanGate, a company that sent people deep under the ocean to explore places like the Titanic wreck. He wasn’t just a businessman—he was also an adventurer, a dreamer, and someone who loved building new things. Sadly, in 2023, he passed away in a tragic accident when OceanGate’s submersible, the Titan, imploded during a deep-sea trip.

After this shocking event, many people became curious. Who was Stockton Rush really? How much money did he have? Was he a billionaire? What did he do before OceanGate? These are the questions we’ll explore in this article. We’ll take a simple look at Stockton Rush’s net worth, how he earned his money, his family background, and the company he built.

Let’s start with the big question.

Stockton Rush Quick Bio

What Was Stockton Rush’s Net Worth in 2025?

At the time of his death in June 2023, Stockton Rush’s net worth was estimated to be between $12 million and $25 million. Some sources say it was closer to the higher end, around $25 million, while others believe it was a bit lower.

Because he passed away in 2023, his net worth has likely stayed the same in 2025. There haven’t been any big updates about his estate or major financial changes since then. His fortune came from his work, investments, and family background, which we’ll talk about next.

Even though he wasn’t a billionaire, he had built a strong name in his field and was clearly a multi-millionaire.

How Did Stockton Rush Make His Money?

Most of Stockton Rush’s money came from his role as the CEO and co-founder of OceanGate. He started the company in 2009 and stayed in charge until the end. OceanGate made money by offering deep-sea expeditions, especially trips to the Titanic wreck. People paid as much as $250,000 per person to go on these dives.

But that wasn’t his only job. Before OceanGate, Stockton worked as a flight test engineer at McDonnell Douglas. He also ran a tech company that made sonar and sensing tools. These roles helped him gain skills and build some of his early income.

He also made money through private investments and small business partnerships. So while OceanGate was his biggest project, he had several ways of making money.

Stockton Rush’s Inherited Family Wealth

Stockton Rush didn’t just work hard—he also came from a wealthy and well-known American family. His family history goes back to the early days of the United States. He was related to Benjamin Rush and Richard Stockton, both of whom signed the Declaration of Independence.

His grandfather, Ralph K. Davies, was a top executive at Standard Oil, one of the biggest oil companies in American history. His grandmother, Louise M. Davies, was a well-known philanthropist in San Francisco who donated millions to the arts and public spaces.

So even before OceanGate, Stockton Rush had access to family wealth, business knowledge, and powerful connections. These gave him a strong start and helped support his business dreams.

What Was OceanGate and How Did It Make Money?

OceanGate was a private company that Rush started with his business partner, Guillermo Söhnlein, in 2009. The company focused on building and using submersibles—small underwater vehicles—for deep-sea exploration. The most famous one was the Titan, which could go down to the Titanic wreck, deep under the Atlantic Ocean.

OceanGate made money by selling seats on these missions. People from all over the world, including scientists, filmmakers, and wealthy tourists, paid huge sums—up to $250,000 each—to join these dives. The idea was to let regular people experience parts of the ocean that very few had ever seen.

At one point, OceanGate owned and operated three submersibles, including the Titan. They also did work for researchers and companies that needed deep-sea services. The company grew fast and became one of the most talked-about names in ocean exploration.

How Much Did Stockton Rush Earn from OceanGate?

Since Stockton Rush was the co-founder and CEO, he likely took home a strong salary. But his biggest financial benefit came from ownership. He had a controlling stake in OceanGate, which means he owned a large part of the company.

Reports say that Rush even loaned the company $1.85 million of his own money to help it operate. This shows that he was deeply invested in making OceanGate work—not just for business, but for his personal mission of ocean discovery.

If the company had succeeded long-term, he could have become even richer. But after the Titan disaster, everything changed, and OceanGate stopped all operations.

Stockton Rush’s Other Business Ventures

Rush didn’t put all his efforts into just one company. Before OceanGate, he had a busy and interesting career. After college, he worked on the F-15 fighter jet program at McDonnell Douglas as a flight test engineer. Later, he managed Remote Control Technology, a company that worked with sonar and sensing systems.

He also served on the board of a few companies, including BlueView Technologies, which made sonar imaging tools, and Entomo, a software firm.

Some reports say he had invested in aerospace holdings worth $2–3 million, and even bought a $3.2 million waterfront property near Seattle. So, while OceanGate was his biggest venture, it wasn’t his only one.

OceanGate’s Net Worth and Growth

At its peak, OceanGate was reportedly valued at around $66 million. The company had more than 50 employees and was offering regular deep-sea missions. Their Titanic dives were the most famous, and the ticket price—$250,000 per person—got a lot of attention around the world.

OceanGate wasn’t just about tourism. The company also supported scientific research, underwater mapping, and exploration. This gave it more ways to grow. Stockton Rush hoped that one day, the deep ocean would be as reachable as space.

But the company’s growth also came with some risks and big questions.

What Happened to Stockton Rush and the Titan Sub?

On June 18, 2023, the Titan sub went on a dive to visit the Titanic wreck. Stockton Rush was on board as the pilot, along with four other people: Hamish Harding, Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood, and Suleman Dawood. Sadly, they never made it back.

After days of searching, debris was found near the Titanic. The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that the sub had imploded, killing everyone instantly. The news shocked the world. People were heartbroken and also confused—how could something like this happen?

This moment became a turning point for OceanGate and Stockton Rush’s legacy.

What Did Stockton Rush Say About Safety and Risk?

Before the accident, Stockton Rush had shared strong opinions about safety. In a 2022 interview, he said something that surprised many people:

“At some point, safety just is pure waste… I think I can do this just as safely by breaking the rules.”

He believed that too many rules slowed innovation. He wanted to build faster, cheaper, and more exciting ways to explore the ocean. But not everyone agreed with him. Some experts warned about the risks of the Titan’s design, especially the use of carbon fiber.

After the disaster, people looked back at his quotes and wondered—was he too bold? Did his passion for deep-sea adventure lead to unsafe choices?

Was OceanGate Still in Business After the Disaster?

Shortly after the Titan implosion, OceanGate shut down all operations. In July 2023, the company suspended its missions and removed its website. A new CEO, Gordon Gardiner, was brought in to help with investigations and the closure process.

As of 2026, OceanGate is no longer running. It still exists as a legal company, but all exploration work has stopped. The Titan tragedy ended the company’s dream of deep-ocean travel.

This also means that Stockton Rush’s net worth did not grow after 2023. His earnings from OceanGate were final at the time of his passing.

Stockton Rush’s Personal Life and Legacy

Stockton Rush lived a unique and driven life. He was married to Wendy Weil Rush, a teacher and pilot. They had two children, a son named Ben and a daughter named Quincy. Wendy was deeply involved in OceanGate too. She worked as the Director of Communications for the company.

Interestingly, Wendy’s family also had a connection to the Titanic. She was the great-great-granddaughter of Isidor and Ida Straus, who were first-class passengers on the original Titanic and died in the 1912 sinking.

Rush’s passion for ocean discovery started young. He began scuba diving at age 12, and became a commercial pilot by 18. He dreamed of becoming the first person on Mars, but instead, he chose to explore the deepest parts of Earth.

Final Thoughts

So, how rich was Stockton Rush? The answer: He was worth between $12 million and $25 million, depending on the source. His money came from OceanGate, family wealth, past business roles, and smart investments. He was not a billionaire, but he was clearly successful.

But his story is about more than just money.

Rush was a bold thinker. He wanted to push the limits of what humans could do underwater. He took risks, some of which led to big breakthroughs—and one that ended in tragedy. Today, people still talk about him, both with respect and deep questions.

In the end, Stockton Rush left behind a legacy filled with adventure, ambition, and cautionary lessons. His net worth shows his success, but his life reminds us that dreams—especially the big ones—come with both reward and risk.

(FAQs)

How Much Money Did Stockton Rush Have?

Stockton Rush had around $12 million to $25 million when he passed away. He made most of his money from his company, OceanGate, which offered deep-sea trips to places like the Titanic. He also came from a rich family and had some money from earlier jobs and investments.

Who Was Stockton Rush’s Wife?

His wife was Wendy Weil Rush. She is a pilot and used to be a teacher. Wendy worked with him at OceanGate and helped with communication. She is also related to Isidor and Ida Straus, a couple who died on the Titanic in 1912.

Did Stockton Rush Have Kids?

Yes, Stockton Rush had two children. He had a son named Ben and a daughter named Quincy. His kids stay out of the public eye, and not much is known about them.

How Did Stockton Rush Die?

He died on June 18, 2023, while inside the Titan sub. He was diving to visit the Titanic wreck. The sub imploded deep underwater, and sadly, everyone on board died. It was a big and very sad news story around the world.

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