Chamath Palihapitiya Net Worth

Summary: Chamath Palihapitiya, a prominent Canadian-American venture capitalist and former Facebook executive, has made significant impacts in technology and finance. Founder of Social Capital and former co-owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors, he has a net worth of approximately $1.5 billion.

His financial and technological acumen is underscored by successful investments in companies like SpaceX and early forays into cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin.

Who is Chamath Palihapitya?

Chamath Palihapitiya (@chamath on X) is a Canadian-American venture capitalist, formerly a senior executive at Facebook, and the founder and CEO of Social Capital, a venture capital firm in Palo Alto, California. Born in Sri Lanka on September 3, 1976, he moved to Canada during his childhood and later earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Waterloo.

Prior to establishing Social Capital, Palihapitiya enhanced Facebook's reach as the Vice-President of User Growth, Mobile & International, significantly boosting the platform's user numbers.

Beyond venture capital, Palihapitiya was a co-owner of the NBA's Golden State Warriors until July 2022. He frequently shares his thoughts on economic, social, political, and cryptocurrency issues on the podcast "The All In Pod," which he co-hosts with Jason Calacanis, David Friedberg, and David Sacks.

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Chamath Palihapitiya Net Worth

Chamath Palihapitiya, a distinguished tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist, has a net worth estimated at approximately $1.5 billion. This substantial wealth has been accumulated through his smart investments and key roles at major companies.

One significant boost to his wealth was the sale of his stake in the NBA's Golden State Warriors for $250 million. His role as a senior executive at Facebook also played a crucial part in building his fortune. Moreover, as the founder of the venture capital firm Social Capital, he has successfully invested in top-tier companies like SpaceX, Slack, Yammer, and Virgin Galactic.

His adeptness in financial matters is also evident from his early investment in cryptocurrencies, including a $1.6 million investment in Bitcoin in 2014. His luxurious lifestyle includes the 2020 purchase of a $75 million Bombardier Global 7500 private jet, further showcasing his significant financial means.

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How Much Bitcoin Does Chamath Own?

In 2014, Chamath Palihapitiya recognized the future value of cryptocurrencies and invested $1.6 million in Bitcoin when the price was about $100 per coin, acquiring roughly 16,000 bitcoins. However, he later sold them when the price reached approximately $500 per Bitcoin. Had he retained his bitcoins, today his holdings would be worth over $1 billion, positioning him among the top individual owners like Michael Saylor.

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Chamath Palihapitiya's Wife

Chamath Palihapitiya was previously married to Brigette Lau, a partner at Social Capital. They wed in 2008 and have three children. In 2018, they announced their separation but have continued to co-parent their children and work together professionally at Social Capital. Chamath is currently married to Nathalie Dompe, an Italian businesswoman and model. She is the CEO of Dompe Holdings, a biopharmaceutical company. Dompe has also worked at Microsoft and modeled for top brands like Vogue and Giorgio Armani.

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Bottom Line

In summary, Chamath Palihapitiya is a Canadian-American venture capitalist, influential in technology and finance sectors, with a robust career history at companies like Facebook and his own firm, Social Capital. His investments in significant ventures like SpaceX and his early stake in Bitcoin highlight his financial acumen, leading to a substantial net worth of approximately $1.5 billion. Beyond his professional life, Palihapitiya has had personal experiences such as marriages with Brigette Lau and Nathalie Dompe, with whom he shares interests and children.