Billionaire Profile
Jensen Huang
Global Rank
#8

Image: Prime Minister's Office | GODL-India | via Wikimedia Commons

Jensen Huang

CEO, Semiconductors
UNITED STATES
Real-Time Net Worth
$151.386B
Estimated based on Semiconductors stock value as of February 5, 2026
-3.37% (24h)
Age
62
Source
Semiconductors
Industry
Technology
Citizenship
UNITED STATES

Biography

Jensen Huang is the co-founder, president, and CEO of NVIDIA, a leading technology company specializing in semiconductors. Born in Taiwan, Huang's journey began with humble beginnings, including a period at a school for "difficult" children. His career includes roles at Advanced Micro Devices and LSI Logic before co-founding NVIDIA in 1993. Under his leadership, NVIDIA has become a dominant force in the tech industry, particularly in the areas of GPUs and AI, leading to a substantial increase in his net worth. As of January 2026, Huang's net worth is estimated at $164.1 billion, making him the eighth-wealthiest person globally. Huang has been recognized by Time Magazine and Harvard Business Review for his leadership and influence.

Fact Checked
Verified by Editorial Team
Live Data
Updated 2/5/2026

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Jensen Huang was born on February 17, 1963, in Taipei, Taiwan. His family moved to Thailand when he was young and later relocated to the United States. At the age of nine, he was sent to a school in Kentucky. In his youth, Huang showed a strong work ethic and a passion for technology, which would later play a crucial role in his career.

Rise to Success

Huang's career began with positions at Advanced Micro Devices and LSI Logic. He earned a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. In 1993, he co-founded NVIDIA with Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem. NVIDIA initially focused on GPUs for the gaming market, later expanding into high-performance computing and AI. Huang has served as CEO since the company's inception and has led NVIDIA through periods of significant growth, including the AI boom.

Key Business Strategies

NVIDIA's success is largely attributed to its focus on innovation in GPU technology and its early recognition of the potential of AI. Huang's leadership has been characterized by a commitment to cutting-edge technology and a willingness to take risks. The company's strategic shift toward AI has been a key factor in its market dominance and Huang's wealth.

Philanthropy

Jensen and his wife, Lori Huang, established the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation in 2007. The foundation focuses on supporting higher education, public health, and AI-enabled medical research, with a focus on institutions that shaped the Huangs' journeys. Notable donations include contributions to Oregon State University and Stanford University.

Career Milestones

1993

Co-founded NVIDIA

Co-founded graphics chip maker Nvidia, and has served as its CEO and president ever since.

2017

Fortune Businessperson of the Year

Named Fortune's Businessperson of the Year.

2019

Harvard Business Review Best-Performing CEO

Ranked as the world's best-performing CEO by Harvard Business Review.

2021, 2024

Time 100 Most Influential People

Included in Time magazine's Time 100 list of the most influential people.

2024

VinFuture Prize

Awarded the VinFuture Prize

2024

Edison Award

Awarded the Edison Award

2024

Primetime Engineering Award

Awarded the Primetime Engineering Award

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education and Research

Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Foundation

$8B

Established in 2007, focusing on philanthropy in higher education, public health, AI-enabled medical research, STEM advancement, and community development.

Education

Oregon State University Donation

$50M

Donated to establish the Jen-Hsun and Lori Huang Collaborative Innovation Complex.

Education

Stanford University Donation

$30M

Donated to build the Jen-Hsun Huang Engineering Centre.

Medical Research

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)

$100M

Donation to accelerate biomedical research through AI and advanced computing.

Education

Oneida Baptist Institute

$2M

Donation to fund Jen-Hsun Huang Hall.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

""It didn't matter to us whether people believed in us. We believed in ourselves. We had the courage to follow our own path.""

Leadership Principles

Focus on innovation

Prioritizing cutting-edge technology and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the semiconductor industry.

Embrace risk

Being willing to take risks and make bold decisions to drive the company forward.

Learning through failure

Fostering a culture that encourages learning from mistakes and continuously improving.

Latest News & Analysis

Huang's 'No Drama' Denial: Is Nvidia's CEO Doth Protest Too Much About OpenAI?
Analysis2/3/2026

Huang's 'No Drama' Denial: Is Nvidia's CEO Doth Protest Too Much About OpenAI?

Jensen Huang's swift denial of rumored deals with OpenAI, while expected, raises more questions than it answers. The stakes are astronomical, the players are ruthless, and the battle for AI dominance is just heating up. Expect more than a few sleepless nights for competitors and partners alike as Nvidia's moves are scrutinized.

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Huang's Denial: Smoke and Mirrors, or the Dawn of a New AI Order? Inside Nvidia's High-Stakes Game
Analysis2/3/2026

Huang's Denial: Smoke and Mirrors, or the Dawn of a New AI Order? Inside Nvidia's High-Stakes Game

Jensen Huang's swift denial of an OpenAI deal, splashed across CNBC, is more than just a soundbite. It's a calculated move in a chess game for AI dominance, a game where billions are at stake and the players are titans. Beneath the surface, the denial hints at a strategic pivot, a re-evaluation of alliances, and a potential shake-up in the very foundation of the AI revolution.

Read Story
Huang's Gambit: The €7,000 Degree-Free Dream and the AI-Shaped Future of Work
Analysis2/2/2026

Huang's Gambit: The €7,000 Degree-Free Dream and the AI-Shaped Future of Work

Jensen Huang, the visionary at NVIDIA, just dropped a bomb. He's declared that high-paying jobs, exceeding €7,000 a month, are accessible *without* a university degree. This isn't just about coding; it's a strategic move to secure talent in an AI-driven world, reshaping the very definition of professional success and leaving traditional educational institutions scrambling.

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Huang's Gambit: The €7,000 Degree-Free Dream and the AI Revolution's Unseen Battlefield
Analysis2/2/2026

Huang's Gambit: The €7,000 Degree-Free Dream and the AI Revolution's Unseen Battlefield

Jensen Huang, the oracle of NVIDIA, has declared a seismic shift in the employment landscape: high-paying jobs, even without a degree, are within reach. This isn't just a pronouncement; it's a strategic move, a calculated reshaping of talent acquisition, and a harbinger of a future where skills, not credentials, reign supreme. Prepare for a tectonic shakeup in education, careers, and the very fabric of the modern workforce, powered by the insatiable hunger for AI expertise.

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Huang's Taiwan Gambit: Nvidia's AI Memory Manifesto and the Geopolitical Chessboard
Analysis1/31/2026

Huang's Taiwan Gambit: Nvidia's AI Memory Manifesto and the Geopolitical Chessboard

Jensen Huang's recent Taiwan trip was not a casual visit; it was a declaration. Amidst rising AI memory demands, Huang signaled unwavering support for TSMC's global expansion while strategically dismissing rumors surrounding China's H200 chip ambitions. This signals a calculated power play, solidifying Nvidia's dominance in the AI hardware arms race and reshaping the future of global tech supply chains.

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