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Nate Berkus

 
Who2 Biography: Nate Berkus, Interior Decorator

  • Born: 1971
  • Birthplace: Los Angeles, California
  • Best Known As: Tsunami-surviving decorator and Oprah regular

Nate Berkus is a Chicago-based interior decorator whose many appearances on television have made him a national celebrity. He has appeared many times on the Home and Garden and Do It Yourself cable channels, and is a regular on Oprah Winfrey's daytime talk show. Berkus grew up in California and Minnesota and began his career in decorating as an intern in Paris and Chicago. He opened his own firm in 1995, at the age of 24, and quickly became well-known in high society as the decorator to hire for residences, restaurants and retail stores (his firm requires a $50,000 minimum budget). In December of 2004 Berkus and his partner, photographer Fernando Bengoechea, were swept away by a tsunami while vacationing in Sri Lanka. Berkus survived, but Bengoechea disappeared.

Berkus's mother, Nancy Golden, is also a decorator who appears on cable TV... Some sources list his birth year as 1972.

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Wikipedia: Nate Berkus
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Nate Berkus
Born Nathan Jay Berkus
September 17, 1971 (1971-09-17) (age 38)
California, United States
Residence Chicago, Illinois, United States
Occupation Interior Designer, Interior Decorator, TV Show Host
Website
www.NateBerkus.com

Nathan Jay Berkus (born September 17, 1971) is an American interior designer and decorator. He runs Chicago interior design firm Nate Berkus Associates and has been a regular guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, offering design advice to viewers.

Contents

Personal life

Berkus was born in Southern California and grew up mainly in suburban Minneapolis. He is Jewish and openly gay.[1] Berkus graduated from Lake Forest College near Chicago in 1994. He is related to the venture capitalist David Berkus, the musician Gunther Berkus and Josh Berkus of Software in the Public Interest. Designer Nancy Golden from HGTV and DIY networks is his mother.

In December 2004 Berkus and his partner, photographer Fernando Bengoechea, were vacationing at a beach resort in Sri Lanka when the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami hit. While Berkus survived, Bengoechea is missing and presumed dead.[2] Berkus appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show on January 17, 2005, to talk about his ordeal and the loss of his love. Berkus later became involved with a New York based TV/film producer and deejay. After nearly two years, the relationship ended amicably and the two remain friends.[citation needed]

Berkus is currently involved in a relationship with Bally Shoe designer Brian Atwood.

Career

In November 2005, Hyperion Books published Berkus's book Home Rules: Transform the Place You Live into a Place You'll Love (ISBN 1-4013-0137-1), a step-by-step guide to home design and decoration.

In 2005, Nate Berkus began selling his merchandise at Linens 'n Things stores throughout North America.

He is the host of the new reality show Oprah's Big Give, which premiered March 2, 2008.

References

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