LendingTree chief executive Doug Lebda died in a freak ATV accident on his family’s farm, the company announced Monday.
The 55-year-old was the founder and chief executive of the online lending marketplace headquartered in Charlotte.
The father-of-three had an estimated net worth of $305 million, according to Benzinga.
His wife, Megan Lebda, 37, announced the loss of her husband in a statement.
“It is impossible to capture the depth of who Doug was and what he meant to all of us. He was an incredible individual with a heart so expansive it seemed to make space for everyone he encountered,” stated Megan, the director of PR and communications at LendingTree, in a message shared with the Daily Mail.
“Doug was empathetic, generous, and endlessly inquisitive about the world and those around him. He formed friendships wherever he went. His energy was captivating, his smile infectious, and his presence was a source of comfort and motivation.
“Doug’s greatest joy was witnessing the success of others. His generosity was boundless, and his kindness impacted every single person he met. He uplifted others, believed in their potential, and celebrated their achievements as if they were his own.
‘He took care of everyone he loved — family, friends, colleagues, and strangers. He always made sure everyone knew how deeply he cared.
‘Our hearts are broken, but we are also deeply grateful for the love and support that has poured in from across the world.’
LendingTree CEO Doug Lebda died in an ATV crash on his family’s farm in North Carolina, the company announced on Monday
His wife, Megan Lebda (pictured with Doug center-left), 37, announced the loss in a statement
Information surrounding the ATV incident in North Carolina was not immediately available.
Lebda founded his company in 1996 after having a bad experience with trying to obtain a mortgage for a home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Scott Peyree, the company’s chief operating officer, is the new chief executive.
‘The news of losing Doug was devastating,’ Peyree said in a statement.
“Yet, one of the most immediate legacies is the strong management team he established at LendingTree. I am eager to lead our team and continue our shared vision with Doug into the future.”
LendingTree’s board has remembered Doug as a ‘visionary leader’ who touched ‘the lives of millions of consumers.’
“Doug was a visionary leader whose tireless focus, innovation, and passion revolutionized the financial services sector, affecting the lives of millions of consumers,” expressed the board.
“His passion will continue to motivate us as we move forward together. We offer our deepest condolences to Doug’s family and loved ones during this challenging time.”
Doug (pictured with Fred Whitfield, president of the Charlotte Hornets, in 2017) Lebda founded the company in 1996 after having a bad experience with trying to obtain a mortgage
LendingTree launched online in 1998 and went public on Nasdaq in 2000 under ticker, or stock symbol, TREE.
It went on to grow into the country’s largest financial comparison platforms.
Over the decades, the company has offered not just mortgages to customers, but credit cards. insurance, auto loans and small-business financing.
LendingTree partners with more than 500 lenders and more than 15 million active customers nationwide.
‘The board will work closely with Scott and the leadership team to honor Doug’s vision,’ Steve Ozonian, the chairman of the board, said as part of the company’s statement.
‘We are committed to upholding his legacy and continuing the work he began with passion, integrity, and dedication.’
The Daily Mail has contacted LendingTree for further comment.
Lebda not only built a successful company, but went on to get involved in other projects, including working as co-chairman of the 2020 Republican National Convention held in Charlotte, The Charlotte Observer reported.
Pat McCrory, the former governor of North Carolina, shared his grief after losing his friend.
‘I have lost a true friend and North Carolina has lost one of America’s greatest entrepreneurs,’ he wrote on X.
‘Doug Lebda could have put the headquarters of LendingTree anywhere in the nation, but he selected Charlotte to be his home. We are so fortunate to have known his passion and heart.’
He frequently spoke on major networks, including Fox Business, Bloomberg, CNBC and Mad Money with Jim Cramer
Lebda (right) purchased a piece of ownership in the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019
Lebda appeared to be a Trump supporter as he previously hosted a Zoom video fundraiser with Doug Burgum, the governor of North Dakota, in June 2024 that was paid for by the Trump 47 committee.
Other listeners were able to join in for $10,000, per an invitation obtained by Bloomberg News.
He frequently spoke on major networks, including Fox Business, Bloomberg, CNBC and Mad Money with Jim Cramer.
He also got involved in the sporting world, as Lebda purchased a piece of ownership in the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers in 2019. He grew up in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
His five percent stake in the Steeler was estimated to be worth about $140 million, according to Forbes.
‘It’s a good investment. But it’s also an amazing opportunity to be a part of what I think is one of the best organizations of anything in the world,’ Lebda said at the time.
He and Bank of America chief executive High McColl also eyed other sports teams, including the Charlotte Knights, a minor league baseball team, in 2004.
Don Beaver, the owner at the time, didn’t want to sell.
