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Jay Chaudhry Leads 12 Indian-Origin Immigrants on Forbes List
In Forbes’ America’s Richest Immigrants 2025, cybersecurity pioneer Jay Chaudhry has emerged as the wealthiest immigrant of Indian origin and ranks 8th overall among foreign-born billionaires in the United States. With an estimated net worth of USD 17.9 billion, he not only tops the list of Indian-origin billionaires but also surpasses high-profile tech figures such as Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella.
From Himalayan Village to Global Cybersecurity Giant
Humble beginnings
Born in 1958 in Panoh, a small Himalayan village in Himachal Pradesh (now part of Punjab), Chaudhry’s early life was defined by scarcity. The village had no electricity until he was in 8th grade and lacked running water until the 10th grade. He studied with the aid of a kerosene lamp—literally “under a tree”—and walked about 4 km daily to reach his high school.
Academic credentials
Chaudhry earned his bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering from IIT‑BHU Varanasi. In 1980, he moved to the U.S. for graduate studies at the University of Cincinnati—his first-ever airplane trip. There, he completed master’s degrees in industrial engineering, computer engineering, and an MBA. Later, he also enrolled in Harvard Business School’s executive management program.
Serial Tech Entrepreneur: SecureIT to Zscaler
Early ventures and exits
- SecureIT (1996–1998): Co-founded with his wife Jyoti using life savings. It was acquired by Verisign.
- CipherTrust & CoreHarbor (2000–2006): Email security specialist and e‑commerce platform, respectively—both acquired (CipherTrust in 2006).
- AirDefense (2002–2008): Wireless security company bought by Motorola.
Zscaler (2007–present)
Founded in 2007, Zscaler pioneered the “zero‑trust” model in cloud-based cybersecurity, offering clients secure internet and private application access. It went public on NASDAQ in March 2018. Today, Chaudhry and his family retain around 40% ownership in the company.
Zscaler now commands a market capitalization nearing USD 20 billion, solidifying itself as a global leader in cybersecurity infrastructure .
Forbes 2025: What Makes This Ranking Historic?
- India leads global immigrant wealth: For the first time, India tops the list of countries by number of immigrant billionaires in the U.S., with 12 individuals, outpacing Israel and Taiwan (11 each).
- Record-breaking wealth share: The ranking covers 125 foreign-born billionaires from 43 countries, whose combined fortune is around USD 1.3 trillion—18% of America’s total billionaire wealth.
- Self-made success stories: An overwhelming 93% of these immigrant billionaires are self-made, predominantly from tech (53) and finance (28) sectors.
Chaudhry stands out as the only Indian-origin tech leader in the top 10, behind Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, Jensen Huang, among others.
A Personal Touch: Purpose, Passion, Partnership
Despite his immense wealth and business success, Chaudhry maintains strong ties with his roots and family:
- Family partner: He attributes much of his success to his wife, Jyoti—calling her the ‘powerhouse’ behind every startup.
- Giving back: Notably, he funded IIT‑BHU’s Entrepreneurship Centre and Software Innovation Centre with USD 1 million; also donated to COVID‑19 relief and eye-care charities in India.
- Personal ethos: Chaudhry emphasizes purpose over profit, stemming from his modest upbringing .
The Broader Impact: Indian Diaspora’s Rise
- Inspirational narrative: Chaudhry’s story—from humble Himalayan origins to tech billionaire—epitomizes the resilience and ambition of Indian immigrants .
- Diaspora momentum: With 12 names on the Forbes list—including global names like Vinod Khosla ($9.2B), Rakesh Gangwal ($6.6B), Romesh Wadhwani ($5.0B), and newer entrants like Pichai, Nadella, and Arora—Indian-origin entrepreneurs are reshaping America’s economic summit.
- Economic enrichment: Indian immigrants now contribute $1.3 trillion in billionaire wealth—evidence of significant economic footprint.
What Lies Ahead
Zscaler’s next phase
With a dominant stake in cloud security and continued innovation, Zscaler is poised for further growth. Chaudhry’s 40% position ensures he remains central to that trajectory.
Legacy and inspiration
Chaudhry’s philanthropy, focus on purpose, and celebration of family partnership offer a compelling model for future generations. His journey reiterates that global ambition and social conscience are mutually reinforcing.
Final Takeaway
Jay Chaudhry’s ascent to the summit of Forbes’ richest Indian‑origin immigrants reflects a blend of visionary entrepreneurship, academic rigor, and unwavering personal resilience. As India tops the Forbes list in numerical terms, Chaudhry’s rise symbolizes something deeper: the immense potential of immigrant ingenuity.
His narrative—from rural hardship to global tech leadership—is not only a lesson in grit but a testament to how opportunity and determination can transcend borders.
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