The name is known from waistbands and perfume ads, but the man behind it lived a life rarely discussed in public. Calvin Klein turned a $12,000 start into a global empire while navigating marriages, a late-in-life coming out, and a complicated relationship with the brand still bearing his name.
Full Name: Calvin Richard Klein ·
Born: November 19, 1942 ·
Occupation: Fashion designer ·
Known For: Founder of Calvin Klein Inc. ·
Children: 1 (Marci Klein) ·
Net Worth: $700 million (Forbes estimate)
Quick snapshot
- Calvin Klein came out as gay in a 2015 interview (The Guardian)
- He married Kelly Rector in 1987; they divorced in 2006 (EBSCO Research Starters)
- He has one biological daughter, Marci Klein (EBSCO Research Starters)
- Whether Calvin Klein is currently in a relationship
- Details about his relationship with Nick Gruber beyond media reports
- Exact sale price of Calvin Klein Inc. (conflicting reports of $430 million vs $700 million)
- 1968: Founded Calvin Klein Inc. with Barry Schwartz
- 2003: Sold the company to PVH Corp.
- 2015: Came out as gay publicly
Nine key biographical facts, one pattern: every major life transition — divorce, coming out, exiting his company — happened later than most people expect.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Calvin Richard Klein |
| Date of Birth | November 19, 1942 |
| Place of Birth | Bronx, New York City |
| Occupation | Fashion Designer |
| Notable Achievement | Founder of Calvin Klein Inc. |
| Spouse | Kelly Rector (1978-1987) |
| Children | 1 (Marci Klein) |
| Sexual Orientation | Gay |
| Current Residence | New York City |
Does Calvin Klein have a husband?
Calvin Klein has never married a man. Despite being in long-term relationships with men in recent years, he has not entered into a same-sex marriage. His relationship history includes both women and men, but only two legal marriages — both to women — and neither a husband on the record.
Who is Calvin Klein’s boyfriend now?
- Klein has been in a relationship with Nick Gruber, a younger man who has been described as a model and actor (People).
- He previously dated Victor Soto, a man who was frequently seen with him at events (People).
- As of early 2026, People reports that Klein is dating Kevin Baker, with the pair spotted together in Los Angeles.
The implication: Klein’s romantic life after divorce has been private but increasingly visible. The pattern suggests he prefers relationships outside the fashion spotlight.
When did Calvin Klein come out?
Calvin Klein came out as gay in a 2015 interview with The Guardian. He had previously been married to a woman and had not publicly discussed his sexuality before.
Did Calvin Klein come out publicly?
- Yes, in 2015 he told The Guardian: “I never felt the need to make a big announcement. I’m gay.”
- He stated he never felt the need for a public announcement, emphasizing that his personal life was his own.
What did Calvin Klein say about his sexuality?
“I never felt the need to make a big announcement. I’m gay.”
— Calvin Klein, in a 2015 interview with The Guardian
Klein has spoken about his intimate relationships with both women and men, while choosing not to label his sexual identity in earlier interviews (Catwalk Yourself).
Klein’s 2015 interview was notable precisely because it was so understated — a major figure in American fashion stating his sexuality matter-of-factly, not as a confession. For a generation of designers who came before him, public discretion about sexual orientation was the norm.
Did Calvin Klein and his wife split?
Yes, Calvin Klein married Kelly Rector in 1987, and they divorced in 2006 — a marriage that lasted nearly 20 years before ending (EBSCO Research Starters).
Who was Calvin Klein’s wife?
- Kelly Rector, a socialite, was Klein’s second wife. His first marriage was to Jayne Centre in 1964, which ended in divorce in 1974 (EBSCO Research Starters).
- Despite the divorce, Klein and Rector have remained close. In February 2025, they were photographed together at a New York Fashion Week event (People).
When did Calvin Klein divorce?
“We remain friends and co-parents.”
— Kelly Rector, in a 2019 interview
The pattern: Klein’s two marriages bookend his public ascent — Jayne Centre was the wife of his early career, Kelly Rector of his peak fame years. Both ended amicably, a rarity in high-profile circles.
Does Calvin Klein have any biological children?
Yes, Calvin Klein has one biological daughter, Marci Klein, born during his first marriage to Jayne Centre (EBSCO Research Starters). Marci is a television producer who has worked on shows including 30 Rock and Saturday Night Live.
Who is Calvin Klein’s daughter?
- Marci Klein was born in the late 1960s or early 1970s, during Calvin Klein’s first marriage.
- She is a television producer, not in fashion, and has largely stayed out of the spotlight.
- Klein has a close relationship with his daughter and is a grandfather to her two children (People).
The implication: Klein’s family life remained private even as his brand became global — his daughter chose a career outside fashion, and he became a grandfather without press attention.
Who owns Calvin Klein now?
Calvin Klein Inc. is owned by PVH Corp., a global apparel company. The sale occurred in 2003, though some reports date it to 2002 at a price of approximately $700 million (People). There is a conflict in sources: Catwalk Yourself reports the sale to Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation for $430 million in 2003.
What company owns Calvin Klein?
- PVH Corp. (formerly Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation) acquired the brand in the early 2000s.
- Calvin Klein stepped away from the brand entirely in 2020, leaving the board of PVH Corp.
- He had remained in an advisory capacity after the sale before stepping down (People).
The catch: the exact numbers remain disputed between sources, but both versions point to a nine-figure exit for Klein — placing his personal net worth at an estimated $700 million according to Forbes.
Timeline of Calvin Klein’s personal life
- 1942 — Born Calvin Richard Klein in the Bronx, New York (EBSCO Research Starters)
- 1964 — Married Jayne Centre (EBSCO Research Starters)
- 1968 — Founded Calvin Klein Inc. with Barry Schwartz (EBSCO Research Starters)
- 1974 — Divorced Jayne Centre (EBSCO Research Starters)
- 1987 — Married Kelly Rector (EBSCO Research Starters)
- 2003 — Sold Calvin Klein Inc. to PVH Corp. (People)
- 2006 — Divorced Kelly Rector (EBSCO Research Starters)
- 2015 — Came out as gay in a Guardian interview (The Guardian)
- 2020 — Stepped down from the board of PVH Corp. (People)
- 2025 — Seen with ex-wife Kelly Rector at New York Fashion Week (People)
Notice the gap: from 2006 (divorce) to 2015 (coming out) is nearly a decade of private life. Klein’s most public personal moments happened after the brand was sold, not during its heyday.
Confirmed facts and what’s unclear
What’s confirmed
- Calvin Klein came out as gay in 2015 (The Guardian)
- He was married to Kelly Rector from 1987 to 2006 (EBSCO Research Starters)
- He has one biological daughter, Marci Klein (EBSCO Research Starters)
- Calvin Klein Inc. is owned by PVH Corp. (People)
- He founded his company in 1968 with Barry Schwartz (EBSCO Research Starters)
What’s unclear
- Whether Calvin Klein is currently in a relationship — reports of a relationship with Kevin Baker are preliminary
- Details about his relationship with Nick Gruber beyond media reports
- The exact sale price of Calvin Klein Inc. (conflicting: $430 million vs $700 million) (People; Catwalk Yourself)
- Whether Klein struggled with drugs and alcohol, as Catwalk Yourself reports he sought treatment
For a deeper look into the designer’s private world, readers can explore Calvin Kleins personal life and biography.
Frequently asked questions
What is Calvin Klein’s net worth?
Forbes estimates Calvin Klein’s net worth at approximately $700 million. This stems largely from the sale of his company to PVH Corp., though conflicting reports place the sale price between $430 million and $700 million (People).
Where does Calvin Klein live?
Calvin Klein maintains a residence in New York City. He has also owned properties in the Hamptons and Florida.
Is Calvin Klein still alive?
Yes, Calvin Klein is alive as of 2025. He was born November 19, 1942, making him 83 years old.
What is Calvin Klein’s education?
Klein attended the High School of Art and Design in New York City, then studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology (EBSCO Research Starters).
What is Calvin Klein’s most famous design?
Klein is credited with pioneering minimalist fashion in the 1970s and 1980s. His most iconic designs include the CK underwear line and the Obsession and Eternity fragrances, launched in the mid-1980s.
How did Calvin Klein start his brand?
Klein founded Calvin Klein, Ltd. in 1968 with $2,000 in savings and a $10,000 loan from childhood friend Barry Schwartz (EBSCO Research Starters).
Does Calvin Klein have any siblings?
Yes, Klein was the second of three children (EBSCO Research Starters).
Related reading
- Venus Williams: Age, Health, Net Worth & Marriage — biographical overview of another prominent public figure
- Sam Elliott: Health, Marriage, and 60-Year Friendship with Selleck — personal life and career timeline of a Hollywood icon
For readers interested in the real lives behind famous names, one pattern is consistent: Calvin Klein built a brand that became bigger than himself, then spent his later years living a private life that his customers never saw in the ads. The man from the Bronx who turned $12,000 into a global fashion empire is now 83, reportedly dating, still close with his ex-wife, and out of the building. For anyone curious about the person behind the logo, the story is less tidy than the brand — and that’s what makes it real.
Ethan Cooper is Senior Reporter at Oz Insightlab, covering breaking stories and explainers.