India Emerges as Leading Source of Immigrant Billionaires in the US
India has emerged as the leading nation supplying billionaire immigrants to the United States, according to Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Richest Immigrants. With 12 individuals of Indian origin making the list, India has surpassed Israel as the top source of billionaire migrants this year. Notable figures include tech industry leaders such as Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella, but it is Jay Chaudhry, the founder of Zscaler, who stands out with a remarkable personal story and a net worth of $17.9 billion.
Jay Chaudhry: A Journey from Humble Beginnings
Jay Chaudhry’s ascent to billionaire status is both inspiring and dramatic. Born in a remote Himalayan village, he faced significant challenges during his childhood, including a lack of basic amenities like electricity and running water until his teenage years. In 1980, he took a leap of faith by boarding a plane for the first time to pursue graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati. Today, at 65, Chaudhry is the CEO of Zscaler, a cybersecurity firm he founded in 2008. His wealth, estimated at $17.9 billion by Forbes, reflects his success in the tech industry.
Chaudhry’s entrepreneurial journey began with the establishment of SecureIT, a cybersecurity company he co-founded with his wife, Jyoti, in 1996. They invested their life savings into the venture after both left their jobs. Over the years, he has launched and sold four other cybersecurity startups, showcasing his resilience and innovation in a rapidly evolving field. Zscaler went public in 2018, and Chaudhry and his family retain a significant stake in the company, further solidifying his position among the wealthiest in the U.S.
Notable Indian Billionaires on the List
The Forbes list features a total of 12 Indian-origin billionaires, highlighting the significant contributions of Indian immigrants to the U.S. economy. Among them, Vinod Khosla, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, boasts a net worth of $9.2 billion, while Rakesh Gangwal, a prominent figure in the airline industry, is valued at $6.6 billion. Other notable names include Romesh T. Wadhwani, Rajiv Jain, and Kavitark Ram Shriram, each contributing to various sectors such as software, finance, and venture capital.
Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Alphabet, and Satya Nadella, the head of Microsoft, both entered the list this year with fortunes of $1.1 billion each. Nikesh Arora, the current CEO of Palo Alto Networks and a former SoftBank executive, is also a new entrant with an estimated worth of $1.4 billion. This diverse group of billionaires underscores the impact of Indian talent in the global tech landscape.
Global Trends in Billionaire Immigration
Elon Musk remains the wealthiest immigrant billionaire in the U.S., with a staggering net worth of $393.1 billion. Born in South Africa, Musk moved to the U.S. via Canada for his studies. Following him are Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, and Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, who rank second and third, respectively. This year’s list also highlights Taiwan’s remarkable growth, with 11 billionaire immigrants, a significant increase from just four in 2022, tying them with Israel for second place.
Forbes notes that while many American billionaires inherit their wealth, an impressive 93% of immigrant billionaires are self-made. The technology sector continues to dominate, with 53 individuals creating their fortunes in this field, followed by finance, which accounts for 28 billionaires. The trends reflect a dynamic shift in the global landscape of wealth creation, with immigrant entrepreneurs playing a crucial role in driving innovation and economic growth in the United States.
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