Mark Madoff

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Mark David Madoff (March 11, 1964 – December 11, 2010) was an American financier who helped reveal his father Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme. He grew up on Long Island, New York, and earned a BA in economics from the University of Michigan in 1986. In 1987 he joined his father’s firm, helping run the legitimate trading part of the business with his brother Andrew.

Mark first married Susan Elkin, and the couple had two children before they divorced in 2000. He later married Stephanie (the name used in public records varies in sources), and they had two more children, born in 2006 and 2008. He also moved back to Manhattan later in life.

In December 2008, Mark and his brother confronted their father about bonuses to employees. Bernie Madoff admitted that his business was a "big lie" and a long-running Ponzi scheme. He asked for 24 hours to set his affairs in order before going to authorities; the brothers then reported him, and Bernie was arrested the next day. Mark never spoke with his father again.

Although Mark did not face criminal charges, the scandal deeply affected his life. He found it very difficult to get work because of the media scrutiny and questions about his possible knowledge of the fraud.

Mark Madoff died by suicide on December 11, 2010, at age 46, in his Manhattan apartment—the second anniversary of his father’s arrest. His estate was valued at about $18.6 million.

In 2012, the trustee for the victims sued Mark’s ex-wife and his widow to recover assets they might have known came from the crime. The case was settled in 2017, leaving Mark’s estate with about $1.75 million.