-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 KHy6rnLHy9zsxuu9RjNieKMNOMJDXLncTnwUOyS2PypntJV8eA7HUAVgzeMhhoy4
 Ml6W0SH9QiFFDia0KU6DYw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001338286-05-000001.txt : 20050909
<SEC-HEADER>0001338286-05-000001.hdr.sgml : 20050909
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050909130922
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001338286-05-000001
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050907
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050909
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050909

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Gitt Jerome Alan
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001338286

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-04629
		FILM NUMBER:		051077142

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		510-446-3614

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1901 HARRISON STREET
		CITY:			OAKLAND
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94612

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GOLDEN WEST FINANCIAL CORP /DE/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000042293
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTION, FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6035]
		IRS NUMBER:				952080059
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1901 HARRISON STREET
		STREET 2:		1901 HARRISON STREET
		CITY:			OAKLAND
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94612-3575
		BUSINESS PHONE:		510-466-3402

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1901 HARRISON STREET
		STREET 2:		1901 HARRISON STREET
		CITY:			OAKLAND
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94612-3575

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TRANS WORLD FINANCIAL CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19760806

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TRANS WORLD FINANCIAL CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19751124
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-09-07</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000042293</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>GOLDEN WEST FINANCIAL CORP /DE/</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>GDW</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001338286</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Gitt Jerome Alan</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1901 HARRISON STREET</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OAKLAND</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94612</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Jerome Alan Gitt</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-09-07</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----