William Godfrey Davidson was born in 1933, in the United States of America. He is a motorcycle designer and businessman, best known to be the former vice president of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. He was also their chief styling officer. All of his efforts have helped put his net worth to where it is today.
How rich is Willie G. Davidson? As of mid-2017, sources estimate a net worth that is at $100 million, mostly earned through success in the motorcycle industry. He is credited for approving and designing a lot of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. These include the Super Glide and the Low Rider. He pioneered the factory custom motorcycles and created an intermediate line of motorcycles. All of these achievements ensured the position of his wealth.
Willie G. Davidson Net Worth $100 million
Willie grew up around Harley-Davidson; his grandfather was Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson, and he is also the son of former company president William H. Davidson. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and would then go to the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. During his time there, he discovered bike customization, so after graduating, he worked for the design department of the Ford Motor Company.
Harley-Davidson started in 1903 and is one of the two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression. They have been through numerous arrangements and survived poor economic times, and even problems with their products. They also survived against intense global competition to slowly build into one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers, mainly preserved due to a very large loyal following. They conduct events and have owner clubs worldwide. They also have a company sponsored museum. They became well known for giving the rise for the chopper motorcycle style which is known for its heavyweight style and large engines. It has since moved to more contemporary and middle-weight designs, party thanks to Willie’s contributions. They now have manufacturing companies around the country and even have a have two in India as well as Brazil. They also have expanded to include apparel such as toys, accessories, and home decors.
They’ve even made video games based on their motorcycle line.
Davidson made his start in the company in 1963 as part of the design department, and six years later he was promoted to become the Vice President of Styling. In the 1970s, he would be influential in many of the company’s designs such as the 1977 XLCR Sportster-based café racer, and he also created the Super Glide and the Low Rider. His net worth increased significantly, such that in 1981, he would join Vaughn Beals as one of the executives to buy Harley-Davidson from their parent company, American Machine and Foundry. When they got Harley-Davidson, their net worth increased even further over the next few years, and he continued to work for Harley-Davidson until 2012, when he announced his retirement. He still remains as the Chief Styling Officer Emeritus, and the brand ambassador.
For his personal life, it is known that Willie is married to Nancy, and they have a son and a daughter.
