Billionaires

Marc Leder Net Worth

Marc Leder is an American businessman and investment professional. He co-founded the global private equity firm Sun Capital Partners, Inc. in 1995, which is headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida. Sun Capital Partners focuses on identifying companies’ untapped potential and leveraging financial resources to transform results. Leder graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics. Prior to founding Sun Capital, Leder was a Senior Vice President at Lehman Brothers. He is also a limited partner in Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, which owns the Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) and the New Jersey Devils (NHL). Additionally, he is part of the Josh Harris Group, which has stakes in Real Salt Lake (MLS), Crystal Palace F.C. (English Premier League), and the Washington Commanders (NFL). Leder is actively involved in philanthropy through the Sun Capital Partners Foundation.

Ira Rennert Net Worth

Ira Rennert is an American billionaire businessman. He serves as the CEO and chairman of the Renco Group, a holding company he founded in 1975. Rennert built the company through acquisitions of struggling companies, financed by junk bonds. Renco’s holdings have included steel companies, magnesium producers, and mining operations. Some of these subsidiaries, like Magnesium Corp. and Doe Run Company, have faced controversies related to pollution. Rennert began his career as a Wall Street credit analyst and later started his own firm, which faced regulatory issues early on. He is known for his large Hamptons estate and has been involved in philanthropy, donating to various groups and universities. As of February 2025, his net worth is estimated to be around $4 billion.

Julia Koch Net Worth

Julia Margaret Flesher Koch is an American socialite, philanthropist, and businesswoman. She was born on April 12, 1962, in Des Moines, Iowa. She inherited her fortune from her husband, David Koch, who died in 2019. Julia and her three children inherited a 42% stake in Koch Industries. Before becoming one of the wealthiest women in the world, Julia worked as an assistant to fashion designer Adolfo in New York City and even styled Nancy Reagan. She met David Koch on a blind date in 1991, and they married in 1996. Julia is now actively involved in philanthropy and serves as president of the David H. Koch Foundation, which supports various cultural, educational, and medical institutions. She also serves on the boards of Koch Industries and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. In February 2024, the Julia Koch Family Foundation donated $75 million to fund the Julia Koch Family Ambulatory Care Center at NYU Langone’s West Palm Beach location. In June 2024, Koch and her three children paid nearly $700 million for 15% of BSE Global, which owns the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets and WNBA’s New York Liberty.

Aristotle Onassis Net Worth

Aristotle Socrates Onassis (1906-1975) was a Greek-Argentine shipping magnate, known for building the world’s largest privately-owned shipping fleet. Born in Smyrna (now İzmir, Turkey), Onassis fled to Greece with his family in 1922 and later moved to Argentina in 1923. He established himself in the tobacco trade before transitioning to shipping during World War II. He expanded his business globally and became one of the wealthiest and most famous men in the world. Onassis was married to Athina Mary Livanos, had a notable affair with opera singer Maria Callas, and later married Jacqueline Kennedy, the widow of U.S. President John F. Kennedy. Besides shipping, he founded the Greek airline company Olympic Airways. Onassis passed away on March 15, 1975, leaving behind a vast empire. His life was marked by business acumen, personal relationships, and a significant impact on the shipping and aviation industries.

Charles Simonyi Net Worth

Charles Simonyi is a Hungarian-American software architect and executive, best known for his pivotal role at Microsoft, where he led the development of Microsoft Office. Born in Budapest, Hungary, he developed an early interest in computers, learning to program while working as a night watchman at a computer lab. He later moved to the United States, earning degrees from UC Berkeley and Stanford University. Simonyi worked at Xerox PARC before joining Microsoft in 1981, where he introduced object-oriented programming techniques. After Microsoft, he founded Intentional Software, which was later acquired by Microsoft. Beyond his contributions to software, Simonyi gained fame as a space tourist, making two trips to the International Space Station in 2007 and 2009. He is also an active philanthropist, supporting arts and sciences through his foundation.

Jared Isaacman Net Worth

Jared Taylor Isaacman, born on February 11, 1983, is an American entrepreneur, pilot, philanthropist, and commercial astronaut. He is the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, a payment processing company, and the founder of Draken International, which provides adversary training to the US, British, and other NATO air forces. Isaacman’s entrepreneurial journey began at 16 when he founded United Bank Card, later renamed Harbortouch, and eventually Shift4 Payments. As CEO, he led the company to process billions of dollars annually. He began flight training in 2004 and is qualified in multiple military jet aircraft. He set a world record in 2009 for circumnavigating the globe in a light jet. In 2021, Isaacman commanded Inspiration4, the first private human spaceflight with no government members aboard, which raised over $240 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. He also commanded the Polaris Dawn mission in 2024, completing a spacewalk. In January 2025, he was nominated to serve as the administrator of NASA.

Ratan Tata Net Worth

Ratan Naval Tata (1937-2024) was an Indian industrialist, philanthropist, and former chairman of Tata Sons. He is widely respected for his leadership and ethics. Born in Bombay (now Mumbai) into a Parsi Zoroastrian family, he was raised by his grandmother after his parents separated. He studied architecture and structural engineering at Cornell University and later attended Harvard Business School. Ratan Tata joined the Tata Group in 1962, working his way up the ranks. He became chairman in 1991 and led the group through a period of significant growth and global expansion, acquiring companies like Tetley Tea, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus Steel. He is also known for launching the Tata Nano, an affordable car aimed at the Indian market. Beyond his business achievements, Ratan Tata is highly regarded for his philanthropy. He has donated a significant portion of his wealth to charitable causes through the Tata Trusts, focusing on education, healthcare, and social welfare initiatives in India. He received several prestigious awards, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, for his contributions to the country.

Maloof Family Net Worth

The Maloof family is an American family of Lebanese descent known for their diverse business ventures in the Western United States. Their history dates back to 1892, when Joe Maloof opened a small general store in northern New Mexico. The family expanded into acquiring distribution rights to Coors Beer and established Quality Imports. Over time, the Maloofs diversified into hotels, banking, clothing, telecom, entertainment, and sports. They are best known for owning the Sacramento Kings of the NBA from 1998-2013, and their home stadium, ARCO Arena. The family members include George J. Maloof, Sr., his wife Colleen, and their children: Adrienne Maloof-Nassif, Joe Maloof, Gavin Maloof, George J. Maloof, Jr., and Phil Maloof. They also owned the Fiesta Casino in Las Vegas before reinvesting in the creation of The Palms Hotel and Casino. The Maloofs have also ventured into the entertainment industry with Maloof Productions and Maloof Music. The family has a long history of entrepreneurship and community leadership.

Haim Saban Net Worth

Haim Saban is an Egyptian-born Israeli-American television and media proprietor, producer, and composer. He made his fortune as the founder of Saban Entertainment, a television production company responsible for bringing ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ to the United States. Born on October 15, 1944, in Alexandria, Egypt, Saban’s family immigrated to Israel in 1956. He began his career in music, later transitioning to composing theme songs for children’s television series, including ‘Inspector Gadget’ and ‘He-Man.’ In 1988, he founded Saban Entertainment, achieving significant success with the ‘Power Rangers’ franchise. Saban sold Fox Family Channel to Disney in 2001 for $5.3 billion and later launched Saban Music Group in 2019. He has also been a major donor to charitable causes, particularly in healthcare, women’s empowerment, and to organizations in both the United States and Israel. Saban received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.

Don Laughlin Net Worth

Donald J. “Don” Laughlin (May 4, 1931 – October 22, 2023) was an American gambling entrepreneur, hotelier, and rancher. He was born in Owatonna, Minnesota, and from a young age, displayed an entrepreneurial spirit. He began his career by trapping furs and using the profits to purchase slot machines, which he placed in hunting lodges. Faced with an ultimatum from his school principal to choose between his slot machine business and school, Laughlin chose business. He moved to Las Vegas in the late 1950s and bought his first casino, the “101 Club.” In 1964, he sold the 101 Club and envisioned the potential of an area near the Colorado River as a resort destination. He then purchased a bankrupt riverfront motel. This investment led to the creation of the Riverside Resort Hotel & Casino. The town of Laughlin, Nevada, is named after him.

David Baszucki Net Worth

David Baszucki is a Canadian-born American entrepreneur, engineer, and software developer. He is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Roblox Corporation, a video game developer. Before Roblox, Baszucki co-founded Knowledge Revolution, an educational software company, with his brother, where they developed Interactive Physics and Working Model. MSC Software acquired Knowledge Revolution in 1998. Baszucki served as Vice President and General Manager at MSC Software from 2000 to 2002. He then established Baszucki & Associates, an angel investment firm, before founding Roblox Corporation in 2004 with Erik Cassel. Roblox is a global platform where millions of users create and share immersive experiences. Baszucki has committed to donating proceeds from Roblox’s listing on the New York Stock Exchange to philanthropic causes. He and his wife, Jan Ellison, launched the Baszucki Group, including the Baszucki Brain Research Fund, supporting bipolar research. David is married to Jan Ellison and has four children.

Bill Marriott Jr. Net Worth

John Willard “Bill” Marriott Jr., born on March 25, 1932, is an American businessman and the Chairman Emeritus of Marriott International. He played a pivotal role in transforming Marriott from a family-run root beer stand and restaurant chain into a global hospitality leader with approximately 8,000 properties across 30 brands in 139 countries and territories. Taking over the family business founded by his parents, Marriott expanded the company beyond restaurants into a global hotel empire. Serving as CEO until 2012 and now as executive chairman, he introduced innovative revenue management techniques. Marriott’s leadership spanned more than 60 years. He is known for his hands-on management style and his focus on the value that associates bring to the organization.

Robert Kenneth Kraft Net Worth

Robert Kenneth Kraft is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He is the Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with interests in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment, real estate development, and private equity. Kraft’s professional journey began with the Rand-Whitney Group, a packaging company controlled by his father-in-law, Jacob Hiatt, which he later acquired. He founded International Forest Products in 1972, trading in paper commodities. In 1998, he established The Kraft Group to consolidate his various business ventures. He is best known for owning the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL) since 1994, the New England Revolution of Major League Soccer (MLS), which he founded in 1996, and the esport-based Boston Uprising. Under his leadership, the Patriots have become one of the most successful franchises in the NFL. Kraft is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts, donating significant amounts to various causes, including education, healthcare, and programs promoting cultural diversity and inter-faith understanding.

David MacNeil Net Worth

David MacNeil is an American businessman and entrepreneur, best known as the founder and CEO of WeatherTech, a leading manufacturer of automotive accessories. Born on March 29, 1959, in the western suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, MacNeil’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1989. Dissatisfied with the quality of existing automotive floor mats, he initially imported them from England before deciding to manufacture his own in the USA. WeatherTech is committed to American manufacturing, employing over 1,600 people and distributing to over 84 countries. The company is known for its floor mats and cargo liners and reports annual sales exceeding $700 million. MacNeil is also an avid car collector and racer. His car collection includes rare and exotic models, including a 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO, which he purchased for $70 million in 2018. He sponsors the Laguna Seca Raceway in California and the IMSA SportsCar Championship. MacNeil owns multiple aircraft, including a Gulfstream G280 private jet and several helicopters. He is a licensed Airline Transport Pilot.

Gabe Newell Net Worth

Gabe Logan Newell, also known as Gaben, is an American video game developer and businessman. He is the co-founder and president of Valve Corporation, a company he started with Mike Harrington in 1996 after leaving Microsoft. Valve is renowned for developing iconic games such as Half-Life, Counter-Strike, and Portal. Newell revolutionized the digital gaming landscape with the creation of Steam, a leading digital distribution service for PC games. Steam has become the primary source of revenue for Valve, capturing a significant share of the PC game download market. Before founding Valve, Newell spent 13 years at Microsoft, contributing to the development of the first three releases of Windows. He attended Harvard University in the early 1980s but dropped out to join Microsoft. Gabe Newell’s contributions to the video game industry have earned him numerous accolades, including a BAFTA Fellowship Award and induction into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be several billion dollars, primarily due to his stake in Valve and the success of Steam. He resides in the Seattle, Washington area.

Nick Hanauer Net Worth

Nick Hanauer is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist. He earned a degree in Philosophy from the University of Washington and began his career with his family’s company, Pacific Coast Feather Company, where he is currently the co-chair and CEO. He co-founded Museum Quality Framing Company, a West Coast franchise. Hanauer was an early investor in Amazon.com and served as an advisor until 2000. He founded gear.com, which later merged with Overstock.com, and Avenue A Media, which was acquired by Microsoft for $6.4 billion in 2007 under the name aQuantive. He also co-founded Second Avenue Partners, a Seattle-based venture capital firm. Beyond his business ventures, Hanauer is actively involved in politics, advocating for progressive causes such as increasing the minimum wage and taxing the wealthy more heavily. He co-founded the League of Education Voters (LEV) and The True Patriot Network. Hanauer serves on the boards of various organizations, including the Cascade Land Conservancy and the University of Washington Foundation. He has gained recognition for his views on income inequality and his belief that supporting the middle class is crucial for job creation.

Jon Ledecky Net Worth

Jonathan Joseph Ledecky, born on February 9, 1958, is an American businessman and sports team owner. He is a co-owner of the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL) and their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders. Ledecky earned a bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1979 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1983. In 1994, Ledecky founded U.S. Office Products, which became one of the fastest-growing companies in the Fortune 500, with nearly $4 billion in annualized sales by 1997. He left the company in 1998 with an estimated fortune of $200 million. Ledecky has been involved in various businesses and has served on the boards of over 15 public companies. He entered professional sports ownership in 1999 when he partnered with Ted Leonsis to buy the Washington Capitals and a stake in the Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics. Besides the Islanders, Ledecky has also attempted to own several other sports teams, including bids for the Montreal Canadiens, Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals. He is also a trustee of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Foundation, and his niece is Olympic gold medalist swimmer Katie Ledecky.

Vivek Ranadive Net Worth

Vivek Yeshwant Ranadivé is an Indian-American business executive, engineer, author, speaker, and philanthropist. Born on October 7, 1957, he is best known as the founder of TIBCO Software, a business intelligence software company, and the owner and chairman of the National Basketball Association’s Sacramento Kings. Ranadivé’s journey began in Mumbai, India, where he was inspired to pursue education at MIT, arriving in the US with only $50. He also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Ranadivé founded Teknekron Software Systems in 1986, which automated Wall Street. In 1997, he founded TIBCO Software Inc. TIBCO became a global leader in infrastructure and business intelligence software. In 2013, Ranadivé became the first Indian majority owner of an NBA team when he purchased the Sacramento Kings. He also founded Bow Capital, an early-stage startup investment firm. Ranadivé has authored three books that are New York Times and global best sellers. He is also recognized for his innovative thinking and has been nicknamed “Mr. Real Time”.

Jeffrey Lurie Net Worth

Jeffrey Robert Lurie, born on September 8, 1951, is an American businessman, documentary film producer, and the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) since 1994. He comes from a Jewish family in Boston and is the grandson of Philip Smith, who founded the General Cinema movie theater chain. Before acquiring the Eagles, Lurie worked at General Cinema Corporation and later founded Chestnut Hill Productions, a film and television production company. He has won three Academy Awards for his work as a documentary producer, including ‘Inside Job’ (2011), ‘Inocente’ (2013) and ‘Summer of Soul'(2022). Under his ownership, the Eagles have achieved considerable success, including Super Bowl LII victory in 2018 and Super Bowl LIX victory in 2025. Lurie is also known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly through the Eagles Youth Partnership and the Lurie Family Foundation, which focuses on health issues and documentaries addressing global issues.

Alex Meruelo Net Worth

Alex Meruelo is a Cuban-American businessman with a net worth of $2 billion. He was born in New York City on March 27, 1964. His parents fled Cuba after the Castro regime came to power and eventually settled in Los Angeles, California. Meruelo earned a B.S. from California State University, Long Beach. He began his career in his father’s tuxedo business. In 1985, he started his first pizza restaurant, La Pizza Loca, which expanded to 25 locations within five years. Meruelo then founded the Meruelo Group, a real estate development and construction firm. The group owns various businesses, including TV stations, radio stations, the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno, Nevada, and Commercial Bank of California. He was also the owner of the Arizona Coyotes NHL team until 2024. Meruelo has a diverse portfolio spanning real estate, entertainment, gaming, banking, and media.

Gene Haas Net Worth

Gene Francis Haas, born on November 12, 1952, is an American businessman and entrepreneur. He is the founder, president, and sole stockholder of Haas Automation, a CNC machine tool manufacturer. Haas also has a significant presence in motorsports, founding the NASCAR team Stewart-Haas Racing and the Formula One team, Haas F1 Team. Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Haas graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a degree in accounting and finance. He initially worked as a machinist and CNC programmer before opening his own machine shop, Pro-turn Engineering, in 1978. In 1983, he founded Haas Automation, which has become the largest machine tool manufacturer in the United States. In addition to his business ventures, Haas is involved in philanthropy through the Gene Haas Foundation, which supports various charitable causes and manufacturing education programs. He was also involved in legal issues, serving time in prison for tax-related offenses.

Brian Shaw Net Worth

Brian Shaw, born on February 26, 1982, is an American retired professional strongman widely recognized as one of the greatest strength athletes ever. He has captured the World’s Strongest Man title four times (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2016), putting him among an elite group of only five men to achieve this feat. Shaw’s dominance extends to the Arnold Strongman Classic, where he secured victories in 2011 and 2015, making him the first to win both the Arnold Strongman Classic and World’s Strongest Man in the same year twice. Throughout his career, Shaw has amassed 27 international competition wins, placing him fourth among the most decorated strongmen, only behind Žydrūnas Savickas, Mariusz Pudzianowski and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. Furthermore, he has over 25 world records, showcasing his prowess in deadlifting, stonelifting, and other strength-related movements. Brian Shaw also manages Shaw Strength, his fitness brand. Shaw’s impressive career and ventures have led to an estimated net worth of $15 million.

Hassan Jameel Net Worth

Hassan Jameel is a Saudi Arabian businessman and philanthropist. He is the Deputy President and Vice Chairman of Saudi Arabia operations at Abdul Latif Jameel, an international conglomerate. The company, founded by his grandfather, holds exclusive distribution rights to Toyota vehicles in Saudi Arabia and other countries. Hassan received training at Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan and holds an MBA from London Business School. He is also involved in philanthropy as the vice chairman of Community Jameel, which supports various social and economic initiatives, including refugee education and healthcare improvement. He gained media attention due to his previous relationship with singer Rihanna.

Mike Markkula Net Worth

Armas Clifford “Mike” Markkula Jr. is an American electrical engineer, businessman, and investor, born on February 11, 1942. He is most famously known for his pivotal role in the early success of Apple Computer, Inc. Markkula was the original angel investor, first chairman, and second CEO of Apple, providing critical early funding and managerial support to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. His $250,000 investment in 1977 was instrumental in transforming Apple from a partnership into a corporation. Beyond financial support, Markkula contributed his business expertise, helping Apple secure credit and venture capital. He also played a key role in product development, writing early programs for the Apple II and approving the plan for the Macintosh. Markkula served as CEO from 1981 to 1983 and as chairman from 1985 to 1997. Before his involvement with Apple, Markkula made millions through stock options at Intel and Fairchild Semiconductor, allowing him to retire at a young age. After Apple, he continued to be involved in various ventures and philanthropic activities.

Priscilla Chan Net Worth

Priscilla Chan is an American pediatrician, philanthropist, and co-founder of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). Born to Chinese-Vietnamese refugees in Braintree, Massachusetts, she was the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Harvard University in 2007 where she met her husband, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg. After Harvard, Chan taught science at a private school for a year before attending medical school at the University of California, San Francisco, and completed her pediatric residency in 2015. In 2015, Chan and Zuckerberg founded CZI, pledging 99% of their Facebook shares to causes focused on advancing human potential and promoting equality. The organization focuses on science, education, and justice & opportunity initiatives. Chan has been particularly passionate about education and healthcare reform and helped establish The Primary School in East Palo Alto, California – a private school that integrates healthcare and education services for underserved children and families.

David Alan Siegel Net Worth

David Alan Siegel is an American businessman and entrepreneur, best known as the founder, president, and CEO of Westgate Resorts, a Florida-based timeshare resort firm. Born on May 3, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, Siegel has built a significant empire in the hospitality and real estate industries. He also serves as the CEO of Central Florida Investments Inc. and CFI Resorts Management Inc. His ventures include timeshare resorts, hotels, casinos, restaurants, water parks, spas, apartments, travel services, insurance, transportation, and retail. Siegel gained wider public attention through the documentary ‘The Queen of Versailles,’ which chronicled his family’s attempts to build one of the largest and most expensive homes in the United States and the financial challenges they faced during the 2008 real estate market collapse. Despite these challenges, Siegel has remained a prominent figure in the business world, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and leadership in the timeshare industry. He is also involved in philanthropy through the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, which he established after losing his daughter to a drug overdose.

Wissam Al Mana Net Worth

Wissam Al Mana is a Qatari businessman with significant influence in the retail sector. Born on January 1, 1975, he was raised in London and later studied in the United States. Al Mana is best known as the Co-Managing Director of the Al Mana Group, a conglomerate with over 55 companies operating in eight countries across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. The group has interests in various sectors, including luxury fashion, automotive, real estate, and food services. Al Mana directs the Group’s operations and manages joint ventures with international brands. Beyond his commercial endeavors, Wissam Al Mana is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in support of children’s and women’s charities in the Middle East. He also gained public attention for his marriage to singer Janet Jackson.

Rick Hendrick Net Worth

Joseph Riddick “Rick” Hendrick III is an American businessman best known as the owner of Hendrick Motorsports. He also chairs Hendrick Automotive Group, one of the largest automotive dealership networks in the United States. Hendrick started his automotive business with a small used-car lot in his early 20s and became the youngest Chevrolet dealer in the U.S. in 1976. Hendrick Automotive Group employs over 10,000 people and has 140 franchise locations. Hendrick Motorsports supports four full-time Chevrolet teams and has become the winningest team in NASCAR history. Beyond his business ventures, Rick Hendrick is recognized for his philanthropic efforts, including the Hendrick Marrow Program and the Hendrick Family Foundation.

Richard Sackler Net Worth

Richard Sackler is an American businessman and physician, primarily known for his role in Purdue Pharma, the company behind the painkiller OxyContin. Born on March 10, 1945, he is the son of Raymond Sackler, who co-acquired Purdue Pharma with his brothers in 1952. Richard obtained a BA from Columbia University and an MD from New York University School of Medicine. He joined Purdue Pharma in 1971, eventually becoming president and later co-chairman. During his tenure, he played a significant role in the development and marketing of OxyContin. He is attributed to pushing the drug through FDA approval in 1995 with the claim that it was less addictive than other painkillers, despite knowledge of the addictive nature of opiates. As president, he promoted misleading claims about OxyContin and encouraged high doses, contributing to increased profits. The opioid crisis led to numerous lawsuits and fines against Sackler, his family, and Purdue Pharma.

Mike Lazaridis Net Worth

Mike Lazaridis is a Greek-Canadian businessman and entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of BlackBerry, formerly known as Research In Motion (RIM). Born in Istanbul, Turkey, on March 14, 1961, his family moved to Canada when he was five years old. He demonstrated an early aptitude for science, even winning a prize at age 12 for reading every science book in his local library. He attended the University of Waterloo to study electrical engineering but left before graduating to start RIM with Doug Fregin. Lazaridis served as Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of BlackBerry from 1984 to 2012. He later served as the Chair of the Innovation Committee from 2012 to 2013. In 2013, he co-founded Quantum Valley Investments to support the development of quantum information science. Beyond BlackBerry, Lazaridis is known for his philanthropy and support for basic science research, including founding the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics and the Institute for Quantum Computing. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including an Academy Award and an Emmy Award for technical achievements and being appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada.