Ernest Gallo

Ernest J. Gallo (March 18, 1909 – March 6, 2007) was an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. Gallo co-founded the E & J Gallo Winery in Modesto, California.

Early life Gallo was born on March 18, 1909, in Jackson, California.

Gallo's grandparents immigrated from Italy to the United States.

In 1910, at one year old, Gallo lived with his maternal grandparents, Batista Biancos, in Hanford, California. At about age 6, Gallo returned to live with his parents.

Education Gallo attended Modesto Junior College, but he did not graduate.

In 1933, shortly after the end of prohibition and the death of his parents, Gallo co-founded the E.&J. Gallo Winery, using $5,900 in borrowed cash from his mother-in-law .

Philanthropy In 1955, Gallo created The Ernest Gallo Foundation. In 2008, Gallo donated $800,000 to the University of Notre Dame, $600,000 to Stanford University, and $3.835 million to Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health. In 1980, Gallo also donated millions and created Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center in Emeryville, California, at University of California, San Francisco.

Awards 1989 Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award (given by Wine Enthusiast)

Personal life In 1931, Gallo married Amelia Franzia (died 1993). They had two sons: David Gallo (died 1997), and Joseph Ernest Gallo, the CEO of the E&J Gallo Winery.

Gallo was ranked 297th on the 2006 Forbes 400 list of billionaires, with an estimated wealth of US$1.2 billion.