Forbes America's Richest Immigrants 2025 list: From Jay Chaudhry to Vinod Khosla - Top 5 richest Indians in US
Among them, 93% are self-made, many building fortunes in technology and finance. Notably, three of the world's top ten billionaires are immigrants: Elon Musk (South Africa), Sergey Brin (Russia), and Jensen Huang (Taiwan).
India Surpasses Israel as the Top Source of Immigrant Billionaires in the US
In a remarkable shift, India has overtaken Israel as the leading country of origin for foreign-born billionaires in America. The number of Indian-origin billionaires in the US has increased from five in 2022 to twelve in 2025, reflecting their growing economic impact.
Top 5 Richest Indians in the US – America's Richest Immigrants 2025
1. Jay Chaudhry
Net worth: $17.9 billion
Global Rank: 8
Company: Zscaler
Jay Chaudhry tops the list of the richest Indians in the US with an estimated net worth of $17.9 billion. Born in a remote Himalayan village without electricity or running water, Chaudhry's story is one of perseverance and grit.
A graduate of IIT BHU, he further enhanced his leadership and business skills at Harvard Business School. In 2008, he founded Zscaler, a cloud-based cybersecurity firm that revolutionised how companies secure their networks.
Zscaler went public in 2018 and has since become a global leader in digital security. Chaudhry and his family still hold a 40% stake in the company.
2. Vinod Khosla
Net worth: $9.2 billion
Global Rank: 17
Company: Sun Microsystems, Khosla Ventures
Next on the America's Richest Immigrants 2025 list is Vinod Khosla, a pioneer in Silicon Valley. Born in Pune, Khosla studied at IIT Delhi, where he co-founded the institute's first computer club.
After completing his master's in biomedical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, he earned his MBA from Stanford. Khosla co-founded Sun Microsystems, then launched Khosla Ventures, a leading venture capital firm funding green tech and disruptive startups.
3. Rakesh Gangwal
Net worth: $6.6 billion
Global Rank: 29
Co-founder: IndiGo Airlines
Rakesh Gangwal, born in Kolkata, is best known for co-founding IndiGo Airlines, India's largest airline. An alumnus of IIT Kanpur and Wharton Business School, Gangwal has also served as CEO of US Airways and chairman of Worldspan Technologies.
In 2024, he was appointed chairman of the Southwest Airlines board, further solidifying his reputation in the global aviation industry.
4. Romesh T. Wadhwani
Net worth: $5 billion
Global Rank: 38
Founder: SymphonyAI
Birthplace: Karachi (moved to India)
Romesh Wadhwani was born in Karachi shortly after India's independence and moved to India soon after. Despite suffering from polio at the age of two, he pursued education and later earned degrees from IIT Bombay and Carnegie Mellon University.
He is the founder of SymphonyAI, a firm focused on artificial intelligence and enterprise software. Wadhwani's journey is a remarkable story of overcoming personal and physical challenges to achieve global success.
5. Rajiv Jain
Net worth: $4.8 billion
Global Rank: 40
Founder: GQG Partners
Rajiv Jain, the founder and CIO of GQG Partners, rounds out the top five. Born in India, he moved to the US in the 1990s to pursue an MBA from the University of Miami. He later joined Vontobel Asset Management, eventually becoming co-CEO.
In 2016, he co-founded GQG Partners, which went public in 2021 and now manages multi-billion-dollar portfolios in partnership with firms like Goldman Sachs.
Other Prominent Indian-Origin Billionaires in the US
The complete Forbes list of the richest Indian-Americans in 2025 also includes:
Global Perspective: Where Do These Billionaires Stand?
According to Forbes' America's Richest Immigrants 2025, these Indian-origin billionaires are ranked alongside global names like:
Elon Musk – $393.1 billion (Tesla, SpaceX)
Sergey Brin – $139.7 billion (Google)
Jensen Huang – $137.9 billion (NVIDIA)
Their inclusion highlights the ever-growing presence of Indian entrepreneurs in America, especially in high-growth sectors like tech, AI, and cybersecurity.
Here's the complete list of the richest immigrants in US 2025
Indian Immigrants Redefining Success in the US
Forbes' list of the richest Indians in the US today symbolises more than just financial success—they represent a story of migration, ambition, innovation, and resilience. The rise of Indian-origin billionaires on the America's Richest Immigrants 2025 list showcases how immigrants are shaping the economic future of the United States.
Whether it's cybersecurity, venture capital, software, or aviation, these richest Indians in America are not just contributing—they're leading.
For the latest and more interesting financial news, keep reading Indiatimes Worth. Click here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
30 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Why did Trump admin allow Nvidia to resume H20 AI chips sales to China?
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on Tuesday (local time) said that Nvidia's resumption of sales of its H20 graphics processing unit (GPU) chips to China is part of the negotiation between the US and China over rare earths, Reuters reported. "We put that in the trade deal with the magnets", he said, referring to an agreement that US President Donald Trump made to restart rare earth shipments to American manufacturers. Lutnick added that the US has allowed the resumption of sale of H20 AI chips because the company will not be giving its best technology to China, adding that Nvidia wants to sell its 'fourth best' chip, which is slower than the fastest chips that US companies use. Speaking to CNBC, he said, "We don't sell them our best stuff, not our second best stuff, not even our third best." Earlier on Monday, Nvidia, in a blog post, announced that it is filing applications with the US government to resume the sale of its H20 artificial intelligence chips to China, adding that the US government assured the company of granting licences soon. The change in stance is a planned reversal of an export restriction by the US that was imposed in April to tighten its control over the trade of advanced artificial intelligence technology with Beijing as part of its strategy to put pressure on China amid the tariff dispute. Besides, the Trump administration aimed to keep the most advanced artificial intelligence chips out of China's hands over national security concerns. Criticism over Trump's policy reversal on H20 chips sales On Tuesday, the US legislators raised questions and criticised the change in the Trump administration's stance over the resumption of H20 chip sales to China. Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi said, "The decision would not only hand our foreign adversaries our most advanced technologies, but is also dangerously inconsistent with this Administration's previously-stated position on export controls for China." Republican John Moolenaar also said he would seek clarification from the Commerce Department. "The H20 is a powerful chip that, according to our bipartisan investigation, played a significant role in the rise of PRC AI companies like DeepSeek," he added. Nvidia CEO meets Trump The reversal in the policy came after Nvidia's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jensen Huang met with Trump and policymakers during his visit to the US. During his visit to the US, Huang expressed Nvidia's support for the Trump administration's initiatives to boost employment, including its ambition to lead in the global AI landscape. In contrast, during his engagements in China, Huang held discussions with officials focused on the positive impacts of artificial intelligence and strategies to promote the development of safe and secure AI technologies for the broader good. China's response to the pause in the sale of H20 chips China has previously condemned the US for abusing export controls and targeting its technology companies. A Financial Times report suggested that, in response, major Chinese tech firms have begun the process of switching their AI development efforts to domestically produced chips. Companies such as Alibaba, Tencent, and Baidu are testing alternative semiconductors to address rising internal demand and the needs of their AI-focused clients.
The Wire
34 minutes ago
- The Wire
VinFast Opens Pre-Booking For Highly Anticipated Premium Electric SUVS VF 7 and VF 6
Gurugram, Haryana, India (NewsVoir) Following a successful debut at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo earlier this year, VinFast Auto India — the Indian subsidiary of global electric vehicle leader VinFast — has officially opened bookings today for its premium electric SUVs, the VF 7 and VF 6, across the Indian market. These models will be officially launched for public sale in August, following the inauguration of the company's plant in Thoothukudi, with deliveries to follow subsequently. Indian customers can now reserve their preferred VinFast electric SUV either at VinFast showrooms or through the company's official website, with a fully refundable booking amount of INR 21 000. Designed to deliver global-quality electric mobility solutions tailored for Indian roads and consumer needs, the VF 7 and VF 6 offer impressive real-world range on a single charge. Both models are engineered for convenience, whether for daily city commutes, intercity travel, or weekend getaways — addressing range anxiety while delivering comfort, performance, and cutting-edge technology. The vehicles will be assembled locally at VinFast's upcoming factory in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, reinforcing the company's long-term commitment to India as a critical market and future EV production hub. Model Highlights • VF 7: A dynamic electric SUV featuring a spacious premium interior, Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), large touchscreen, connected car technologies, panoramic glass roof, wireless charging, and signature LED lighting. • VF 6: Family-oriented and stylish, the VF 6 combines premium comfort with Level 2 ADAS, an intuitive infotainment system, connected features, signature lighting, and a panoramic roof — designed for everyday practicality and smart driving. Speaking on the Pre-Booking announcement, Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, CEO of VinFast Asia, sai,: 'We are deeply encouraged by the overwhelming support from Indian consumers at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. It reaffirmed the country's readiness and enthusiasm for sustainable mobility solutions. The VF 6 and VF 7 represent our vision of bringing world-class EVs tailored to local needs, and we're confident that Indian customers will find these models not only competitive, but truly inspiring.' To ensure a seamless ownership experience, VinFast has signed agreements with 13 dealer partners to establish 32 dealerships across 27 cities, forming a robust 3S (Sales, Service, Spares) ecosystem. The initial set of dealerships will be established in key urban and emerging EV markets, including Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Cochin, Bhubaneshwar, Trivandrum, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Coimbatore, Surat, Calicut, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Shimla, Agra, Jhansi, Gwalior, Vapi, Baroda and Goa. The company has also announced partnerships with RoadGrid, myTVS, and Global Assure to create a reliable, nationwide charging and after-sales service network. These strategic collaborations will offer real-time charging access, AI-driven diagnostics, and integrated digital platforms to support VinFast's fast-growing customer base and EV infrastructure. In line with its commitment to sustainability, VinFast has also partnered with BatX Energies, a leading Indian clean-tech company specializing in battery recycling, rare metal recovery, and end-of-life battery repurposing. This collaboration marks a significant step toward building an integrated, circular battery value chain in India — reinforcing VinFast's mission to enable a greener future through responsible innovation. About VinFast VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam's largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast's product lineup includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e- scooters, and e-buses. The company is rapidly expanding its global distribution network and manufacturing capabilities with facilities in Vietnam, India, and planned operations in the United States. The company's Thoothukudi facility in Tamil Nadu represents a $500 million investment and will produce 150,000 vehicles annually when fully operational, creating approximately 3,500 direct jobs. Learn more at: (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
The Print
38 minutes ago
- The Print
A letter to Defence Minister, with lessons from American fighter pilot John Boyd: Jaithirth Rao
This writer is being a tad presumptuous in penning this letter. But knowing of your sobriety, open-mindedness, and willingness to take courageous decisions, this privilege is being boldly exercised. 1. Addressed a longstanding grievance of service personnel regarding pensions. 2. Moved assertively towards creating a younger and more agile human capital base in our armed forces through the imaginative Agnipath Yojana. 3. Started re-equipping our forces with vigour after a decade-long hiatus. In doing so, you even had to approach the Supreme Court to clearly establish your bona fides. This was really well done. The nation is grateful. 4. Encouraged much-maligned state sector entities, which have risen to the challenge. HAL, for instance, has shown fresh vigour after years of apathy. DRDO, of course, has proved its mettle not just on paper but on the battlefield. 5. You have converted bureaucratic ordnance factories into companies ensuring greater transparency and accountability. You have pushed this overdue reform despite considerable and misplaced opposition. The hope is that you will soon list these companies. About 50 years ago, this writer had the privilege of being taught by the brilliant Professor Suresh Kuchhal, who argued that many of the gains of privatisation could be achieved simply by listing PSUs. Ordnance factories would benefit from the scrutiny and visibility that listing would bring. 6. You have opened up the defence industrial complex to the private sector. With one stroke, you have done away with 80 years of self-inflicted wounds rooted in mistrust of Indian businesses. Other countries (e.g. Japan, Korea) viewed their companies and conglomerates as national assets. We have finally come around to this view. Thank you, sir. 7. You have encouraged nimble, entrepreneurial start-ups to become partners in India's defence journey. This is a source of great national benefit both in the immediate and medium term. 8. You have promoted the export of Indian defence equipment. This is a stroke of genius. The purpose is not to encourage war but to deter it. Well-equipped countries are less likely to go to war. More importantly, this move forces Indian suppliers to make products that are world-class and globally competitive. 9. You have created a solid, mutually synergistic relationship between the Defence Ministry and the Department of Space and ISRO, at a time when the Department of Space has imaginatively opened this exciting domain to India's private sector and to start-ups. The benefits will undoubtedly be magnified. Also read: It doesn't end here. India must prepare for mightier neighbours John Boyd, the great American fighter pilot Now, with considerable humility, and in the hope that you are open to constructive inputs, this writer would like to offer an unusual suggestion: please read the book Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War by Robert Coram. In fact, I would go so far as to recommend that all officers in the services and civil servants in your ministry read it. This book is about a brilliant American fighter pilot, John Boyd. He started as one of the most successful servicemen in his line and went on to identify the theoretical foundations of what had until then been attributed to the 'intuitive skills' of pilots. He developed a manual that ended up being used not only by American fighter pilots but by their counterparts across the world. The US Air Force allowed him to fulfil his desire to go back to university. Boyd often told his friends that he didn't want to 'become' someone through promotions as ends in themselves. Instead, he wanted to 'do' something, regardless of whether he was promoted. He studied Industrial Engineering at Georgia Tech, which enabled him to pivot toward equipment design and project management. Boyd plunged into aircraft design, defying bureaucratic norms that did not assign him this task. He argued for a simple, lean design focussed on functionality. He was not in favour of adding bells and whistles like fancy equipment and even a second engine. His vision was a nimble, singularly focussed weapon: a fighter plane. He did not win all his battles. Officers who loved bigger, more expensive (and therefore, in their opinion, better) planes opposed him. So did equipment manufacturers who wanted to keep palming off earlier designs with redundant additions for better profit margins. But Boyd managed to win most of his battles. The F-16 emerged as a 'good' plane, though Boyd himself argued it could have been 'great'. As an aside, India may find that developing uni-focussed equipment for specific terrains such as deserts and mountains may be more effective and economical than relying on multipurpose platforms. Such equipment might also be easier to export to countries with similar geography. Also read: Ministry of Defence has lofty reform plans for 2025. First, establish Theatre Commands Boyd succeeded despite sabotage by bureaucracy Boyd's associate and protégé, Pierre Sprey, fought another battle. In the US Air Force, large, complex bombers were seen as 'upper class', fighters as 'middle class', and ground support aircraft as 'low class'. These distinctions allowed Sprey to get himself almost surreptitiously appointed as chief designer of a ground support aircraft, which eventually became the US Air Force's A10 — affectionately or disdainfully known as the 'Ground Hog'. Sprey designed with vim and gusto. But he too lost some bureaucratic battles. The A10 was bigger and had exotic additions that it did not need. Once again, what emerged was a 'good' aircraft rather than a 'great' one. This aircraft was dismissed as cheap and ugly, but it emerged as a winner in the first Gulf War. The A10 was loved by pilots and feared by the enemy. Despite support from imaginative seniors up to the level of Defence Secretaries, Boyd was denied promotions. The middle bureaucracy sabotaged his career. Boyd left the service. As it turned out, this became a blessing in disguise. He then developed his intellectual pursuits in unexpected directions. He delved deep into military history, and explored the roots of knowledge, perception and reality as these matters change in a kaleidoscopic manner. While these are fascinating, they are not germane to the purpose of this letter. In the field of military strategy, US Services accepted Boyd's ideas grudgingly. The one unit that responded enthusiastically was the Marine Corps, the smallest of the armed services, which embraced his theoretical idea of 'getting into the adversary's decision cycle'. The Marine Corps' spectacular success in the first Gulf War vindicated Boyd. The US Army, which only partially adopted his ideas and reverted to its time-honoured traditions, saw more limited success, though this fact was covered up by their PR. Reading Boyd's biography can be of enormous value not just for serving officers and defence designers but also for political leadership. By his own standards, Boyd failed — sabotaged by a bureaucracy that always wanted to go for the exotic, the costly, and the profitable over the efficient and effective. Safety, efficacy, and simplicity took a back seat. The system likes to fall back on 'tried and tested,' despite evidence of failure or limited success at best. It is interesting to note that even Boyd and his team could only manage 'good' designs — not 'great' ones. Yet partial success matters and must be lauded. So, dear Raksha Mantri, when you feel frustrated by the slowness, the tediousness, and the obstreperousness of the 'system,' you may take comfort in the fact that strong American personalities — like James Schlesinger, Caspar Weinberger, and Colin Powell — faced similar hurdles and found ways to work around them. Also read: Gaza, Ukraine being fought on techno-battlefields. Indian military is 3 decades behind Proposal for govt: A new ministry, please In the spirit of John Boyd, and running the risk of appearing impertinent, this writer offers the following suggestions. 1. Please create a Ministry of State position for 'Defence Design, Development, Production, and Procurement'. This should supersede the current setup focussed only on production. 2. Move the Minister of State to Visakhapatnam. Not every department needs to be based in Delhi. Space and Atomic Energy are based in Bengaluru and Mumbai. Incidentally, there will be some brownie points gained with your political partner, N Chandrababu Naidu. The Defence Ministry already has land in Visakhapatnam. Accommodating a lean department should not be a problem. Avoiding Delhi's miasmal winds will automatically provide impetus to the new ministry. 3. Some civil servants may be reluctant to move out of Delhi. There is no need to force them. This new ministry should comprise only willing personnel. The officers can be transferred to other ministries or to a central pool ensuring that they remain in Delhi as per their desire. 4. Junior and mid-level officers from all services should be deputed to Visakhapatnam. This group must be asked to read Coram's book and model themselves on Boyd's team. 5. Defence attachés in Kyiv, Moscow, Tel Aviv, and Teheran should be assigned to this ministry after their term ends. Those from Beijing, Washington, Seoul, Tokyo, and Paris should also be considered. They can bring fresh global ideas. 6. National private sector companies should be encouraged to engage with the new ministry. Stern warnings should be given to them that this engagement is for the benefit of the country and its defence. While they will certainly make profits, their role should not be that of short-term vultures. 7. These companies should be invited to second some of their best engineers and project managers for short-term assignments. These individuals should be clearly told that they will have to forego their present salaries and accept salaries on par with their government counterparts. If this is not acceptable, then they need not come. There is no compulsion. The new ministry wants only willing, enthusiastic, hungry people. These individuals will have to publicly take an oath that they will not be swayed by conflicts of interest and work indirectly for their employer's benefit. Their commitment for the next few years will only be to the country's defence. 8. A close liaison with the Department of Space and ISRO should be institutionalised. For external parties, both should appear seamlessly integrated. 9. Start-ups should be encouraged to pitch ideas to the new ministry. 10. The Raksha Mantri should visit Visakhapatnam every month for two days to review progress and assess start-up pitches. 11. The aim of the new ministry should be simple: within five years, India must have world class, state-of-the art defence equipment in multiple fields. While cutting-edge technology is important, effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and scalability should be the overarching themes. Risks will be taken in a calibrated manner. Risk-taking will not be punished. The focus will be on learning lessons and moving forward. 12. The Prime Minister should inaugurate the new ministry and visit it at least twice a year for the next five years. It is this writer's ardent hope that our country learns from John Boyd's ideas — fully and substantially, not just partially as has been the case with America. The time is now for us to build on the amazing foundation your government has laid in recent years. The next five can be really exciting. Jaithirth 'Jerry' Rao is a retired entrepreneur who lives in Lonavala. He has published three books: 'Notes from an Indian Conservative', 'The Indian Conservative', and 'Economist Gandhi'. Views are personal. (Edited by Prashant)
