Rogoff first went to Alaska in 2002.[9] She was introduced to Alaska by Theron "Terry" Smith, a former chief pilot for Alaska Airlines. With Smith and his wife, Rogoff traveled around Alaska, meeting its people. She subsequently learned to fly an airplane herself.[5] While visiting the Smiths, she bought a home in Anchorage. Rogoff became the majority owner of the Alaska Dispatch in 2008.[10] In April 2014, it was announced that Rogoff and the Alaska Dispatch would purchase the Anchorage Daily News, the largest newspaper in Alaska by circulation, for US$34 million. The transaction placed Alaska's largest newspaper under the control of Rogoff and the Alaska Dispatch.[11] She announced in 2017 that she was giving up control of the newspaper and it was being reorganized under Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws.[12]
Personal life
Rogoff wed David Rubenstein, co-founder and co-chief executive officer of The Carlyle Group, in 1983. They have three children, two daughters and a son.[13][14] The couple divorced on December 8, 2017.[15]
In addition to her business ventures, Rogoff helped found Alaska House New York and the Alaska Native Arts Foundation.[16][17] Rogoff and her ex-husband have funded the participation by Juneau, Alaska in the Any Given Child program, which promotes arts in education.[18]
In 2014, Rogoff piloted her own plane to track the Iditarod sled race.[19]
In late August, 2015, Rogoff hosted President Barack Obama in her Anchorage home for a private dinner party during the first day of a three-day trip Obama made to Alaska to address global warming. Rogoff has known the Obama family for several years.[20]
On July 3, 2016, Rogoff was the pilot and sole occupant of a Cessna 206float plane that crashed upon landing in Halibut Cove, Alaska. Her plane was damaged but she was uninjured. She was able to leave the scene of the crash on her own.[21]