How Much Was Oppenheimer Worth When He Died?

When J. Robert Oppenheimer, the renowned American physicist and scientific director of the Manhattan Project, passed away on February 18, 1967, he left behind a significant estate. Oppenheimer was known for his contributions to the development of the atomic bomb during World War II and his subsequent work in academia and government.

At the time of his death, Oppenheimer's net worth was estimated to be around $3 million. This included his earnings from his work as a physicist, professor, and consultant, as well as investments and other assets he had accumulated over the years.

Oppenheimer was born on April 22, 1904, in New York City, and studied at Harvard University and the University of Göttingen in Germany. He later became a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where he conducted research in theoretical physics.

During World War II, Oppenheimer played a key role in the Manhattan Project, the secret US government program that developed the first atomic bombs. His leadership and expertise were instrumental in the successful creation of the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945.

After the war, Oppenheimer became an outspoken advocate for the peaceful use of atomic energy and a critic of nuclear weapons. He served as the chairman of the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission and was a vocal opponent of the development of the hydrogen bomb.

Despite his contributions to science and his efforts to promote international cooperation on nuclear issues, Oppenheimer's security clearance was revoked in 1954 due to concerns about his political affiliations and associations. This decision was controversial and remains a subject of debate among historians and policymakers.

In the years following the loss of his security clearance, Oppenheimer continued his work in academia and research. He held positions at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, and the University of California, among others. He also received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to physics and his efforts to promote scientific collaboration.

At the time of his death in 1967, Oppenheimer was living in Princeton, New Jersey, with his wife, Katherine "Kitty" Puening. He had two children, Peter and Katherine, from his first marriage to Katherine "Kitty" Harrison, which ended in divorce in 1950.

Oppenheimer's legacy as a scientist and advocate for peace continues to be remembered and celebrated today. His work on the atomic bomb and his subsequent efforts to control nuclear weapons have had a lasting impact on the course of history and the development of science.

In conclusion, J. Robert Oppenheimer was worth an estimated $3 million at the time of his death in 1967. His contributions to physics, his leadership on the Manhattan Project, and his advocacy for international cooperation on nuclear issues have left a lasting legacy that continues to be studied and honored by scientists, policymakers, and historians around the world.

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