Gayle Cook
Gayle Cook | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 1, 1934 Evansville, Indiana, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, philanthropist |
| Years active | 1963–present |
| Known for | Co-founder of Cook Group |
Gayle Cook (born Karch, March 1, 1934) is an American entrepreneur who, alongside her husband William Cook, established the Cook Group in 1963, a company specializing in medical device manufacturing. By 2014, her estimated net worth reached US$5.8 billion.
Early life
Born to Arthur and Thelma Karch on March 1, 1934, in Evansville, Indiana, Gayle Karch completed her undergraduate studies at Indiana University in 1956. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts and was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society.
Career
Together with William Cook, Gayle co-founded the Cook Group in 1963, focusing on producing medical equipment. She continued to serve on the company's board as of 2013. Forbes reported that her net worth increased from $5.2 billion in 2013 to $5.8 billion in 2014, placing her at number 85 on the Forbes 400 list.
Philanthropy
Gayle Cook has been a benefactor of Indiana University and holds a position on the Indiana University Foundation board. The university honored her with the Gertrude Rich Award in 1983 and awarded her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 1993.
Alongside her husband, she financed the restoration of more than 40 historic properties in southern Indiana that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She played a key role in founding the Monroe County Historical Society Museum and is affiliated with both the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and The Nature Conservancy.
Personal life
Gayle was married to William Cook from 1957 until his passing in 2011. Their son, Carl Cook, took over as CEO following William's death. She is a grandmother and has coauthored two publications focused on regional heritage: A Guide to Southern Indiana (1972) and Monroe County in Focus (1990).
Bibliography
- A Guide to Southern Indiana (coauthored with William Cook, Owen Litho Service, 1972)
- Monroe County in Focus: Portrait of an Indiana County (with Diana Hawes and Will Counts, Discovery Press, 1990)