How Indian Immigrants Are Shaping the Billionaire Landscape in the US

Indian-born billionaires dominate Forbes’ 2025 America’s Richest Immigrants list, with 12 individuals surpassing other nationalities. Notable names include Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, and Jay Chaudhry, the founder of Zscaler, whose $17.9 billion fortune reflects his inspiring journey from a rural Himalayan village to Silicon Valley. Forbes identified 125 billionaire immigrants, with India, Taiwan, and Israel leading the ranks. Technology and finance are key wealth drivers, highlighting the transformative contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs to America’s economic and technological growth.

In a remarkable testament to the global influence of Indian talent, Forbes’ 2025 list of America’s Richest Immigrants reveals that Indian-born billionaires are leading the charge, eclipsing other nationalities in the number of ultra-wealthy individuals. With 12 Indian-born billionaires, India has surpassed Israel to become the dominant birthplace of immigrant billionaires in the United States this year.

Forbes identified 125 billionaire immigrants from 43 countries, with two-thirds hailing from just a handful of nations, including India, Israel, Taiwan, Canada, and China. Among these, India’s contributions stand out not only in quantity but also in the inspiring journeys of these individuals.

Rising Stars of Indian Heritage

This year’s newcomers include prominent figures such as Sundar Pichai, the 53-year-old CEO of Alphabet; Satya Nadella, the 57-year-old head of Microsoft; and Nikesh Arora, the CEO of Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity company. These leaders exemplify the significant impact Indian immigrants are making across the technology sector.

However, one entrepreneur’s story is particularly compelling: Jay Chaudhry, the 65-year-old founder and CEO of Zscaler, a cutting-edge cybersecurity firm. Chaudhry, who now boasts a net worth of $17.9 billion, had never set foot on a plane before flying to the United States in 1980 to pursue graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati.

Chaudhry’s journey from a remote Himalayan village without electricity or running water to the helm of a Nasdaq-listed company is nothing short of extraordinary. Before founding Zscaler in 2008, Chaudhry launched and sold four other tech startups: SecureIT, CoreHarbor, CipherTrust, and AirDefense. Notably, he and his wife Jyoti took a bold risk in 1996 by quitting their jobs and using their life savings to establish SecureIT, his first venture. Today, Chaudhry resides in Nevada, having relocated from the Bay Area.

The Wealthiest Indian Immigrants

Here’s a snapshot of the Indian billionaires featured on Forbes’ list, showcasing their diverse contributions to various industries:

1. Jay Chaudhry – $17.9B (Cybersecurity)

2. Vinod Khosla – $9.2B (Sun Microsystems, Venture Capital)

3. Rakesh Gangwal – $6.6B (Airline Industry)

4. Romesh T. Wadhwani – $5.0B (Software)

5. Rajiv Jain – $4.8B (Finance)

6. Kavitark Ram Shriram – $3.0B (Google, Venture Capital)

7. Raj Sardana – $2.0B (Technology Services)

8. David Paul – $1.5B (Medical Devices)

9. Nikesh Arora – $1.4B (Cybersecurity, SoftBank, Google)

10. Sundar Pichai – $1.1B (Alphabet)

11. Satya Nadella – $1.1B (Microsoft)

12. Neerja Sethi – $1.0B (IT Consulting)

    
    

A Global Landscape of Success

While Indian immigrants dominate the rankings, the top three richest immigrant billionaires in the United States hail from diverse backgrounds. Topping the list is Elon Musk, originally from South Africa, with a staggering net worth of $393.1 billion. Musk, who first arrived in the U.S. via Canada as a college student, has reshaped industries ranging from electric vehicles to space exploration.

Second on the list is Sergey Brin, the Russian-born cofounder of Google, with an estimated fortune of $139.7 billion. Brin’s family fled anti-Semitism in their home country, moving to the U.S. when he was just six years old.

The third spot belongs to Nvidia’s cofounder and CEO, Jensen Huang. Born in Taiwan and later sent to the U.S. as a child to escape unrest in Thailand, Huang is now worth an estimated $137.9 billion. Taiwan’s representation among billionaire immigrants saw a significant rise this year, increasing from four to eleven individuals, tying it with Israel in second place for the most immigrant billionaires.

The Sectors Driving Wealth

Forbes notes that 93% of immigrant billionaires in the U.S. are self-made, with many building their fortunes in the technology and finance sectors. Technology, in particular, has been a dominant driver, with 53 immigrant billionaires emerging from this field, followed by 28 in finance.

By Forbes’ definition, immigrant billionaires are foreign-born U.S. citizens currently residing in the country with a net worth exceeding $1 billion as of mid-2025.

The Broader Impact

The success stories of immigrant billionaires underscore the transformative power of ambition, resilience, and opportunity. For Indian-born billionaires, their journeys reflect not only personal triumphs but also the broader narrative of how immigrants contribute to America’s economic and technological leadership.

As the U.S. continues to attract talent from around the globe, these stories serve as a reminder of the immense potential that diversity and innovation bring to the nation’s prosperity.

How Indian Immigrants Are Shaping the Billionaire Landscape in the US