David Cheriton

$9.77 B

Ranked #335 in World

About David Cheriton

David Ross Cheriton, celebrated Canadian venture capitalist with an $8.8 billion net worth as of April 2021, is a Stanford professor and the founder of the Distributed Systems Group. Known for pioneering investments in Google, VMware, and Arista Networks, Cheriton has forged a varied career in academia, research, and industry, contributing to several microkernel operating systems and being a prominent figure in distributed computing and computer networking. His philanthropic gestures include multimillion-dollar donations to Canadian universities, promoting advanced research in computer science, and funding initiatives at Stanford. Despite his wealth, he maintains a frugal lifestyle and has been involved in political donations.

Born

March 29, 1951 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Age

75 years

Source Of Wealth

Google

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

Canada

Residence

Palo Alto, California

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of British Columbia; Doctorate, University of Waterloo; Master of Science, University of Waterloo

Spouse

Iris Fraser (divorced)

Children

David Ross Cheriton was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. He attended public schools in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Cheriton displayed a passion for mathematics and music from a young age. He pursued his interests academically, studying mathematics and music at the University of Alberta.

David Cheriton: Family

Cheriton married Iris Fraser in 1980. They had four children together before divorcing in 1994.

David Cheriton: Career Highlights

Cheriton's career is marked by significant achievements in academia, research, and industry. As a professor at Stanford University, he founded and led the Distributed Systems Group, contributing extensively to distributed computing and computer networking. His research resulted in the development of three microkernel operating systems, including Thoth and Verex, and the V microkernel OS.

In the industry, Cheriton co-founded Granite Systems with Andy Bechtolsheim, which was later acquired by Cisco Systems. He made notable investments in successful technology companies, including Google, VMware, and Arista Networks. Cheriton also co-founded Kealia, acquired by Sun Microsystems, and is the chief scientist at Juniper Networks.

David Cheriton: Companies

Cheriton has been involved with several notable companies throughout his career:

Granite Systems (co-founder)
Google (angel investor)
VMware (early investor)
Kealia (co-founder)
Arista Networks (co-founder, chief scientist)
Aster Data Systems (investor, advisory board member)
Tintri (early investor)
Zunavision (early investor)
OptumSoft (early investor)
Apstra, Inc. (co-founder, investor)
BrainofT, Inc. (Caspar) (co-founder, investor)
Juniper Networks (chief data center scientist)

David Cheriton: Major Achievements

Cheriton's major achievements include:

Founding and leading the Distributed Systems Group at Stanford University
Developing three microkernel operating systems: Thoth, Verex, and V
Extensive publications in distributed computing and computer networking
Winning the SIGCOMM award in 2003 for lifetime contribution to telecommunications networks
Mentoring successful students, including Sergey Brin, Larry Page, and Kenneth Duda
Co-founding and investing in successful technology companies

David Cheriton: Awards & Achievements

Cheriton has received numerous awards and recognition for his contributions, including:

SIGCOMM award (2003)
Honorary Doctorate from the University of Waterloo (2005)
Honorary Doctorate from the University of British Columbia (2007)
Fellow of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Member of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)

David Cheriton: Personal Life & Legacy

Cheriton is known for his frugal lifestyle, avoiding costly cars or large houses.

He has made significant philanthropic contributions, including donations to the University of Waterloo, the University of British Columbia, and Stanford University. Cheriton has also campaigned against Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) in favor of Ethernet.

David Cheriton: Trivia

Cheriton's net worth is estimated at US$8.8 billion (April 2021).
He is a fan of classical music and plays the piano.
Cheriton enjoys hiking and skiing.
He is a supporter of the Republican Party and made donations to Donald Trump's presidential campaign.

Wealth History

Timeline

1955

David Ross Cheriton was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

1973

Received Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from the University of British Columbia.

1974

Received Master of Science (M.S.) degree in computer science from the University of Waterloo.

1978

Received Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in computer science from the University of Waterloo.

1980

Married Iris Fraser.

1994

Divorced Iris Fraser.

1996

Co-founded Granite Systems with Andy Bechtolsheim, acquired by Cisco Systems.

1998

Invested $200,000 in Google.

2001

Co-founded Kealia, acquired by Sun Microsystems in 2004.

2003

Won the SIGCOMM award for lifetime contribution to telecommunications networks.

2004

Co-founded Arista Networks, chief scientist, successful public offering in 2014.

2011

Investor and advisory board member for Aster Data Systems, acquired by Teradata for $263M.

2014

Co-founded and invested in Apstra, Inc.

2015

Co-founded and invested in BrainofT, Inc. (Caspar).

David Cheriton : FAQs

What is David Cheriton's current net worth?

David Cheriton's current net worth is $9.77 billion.

What is David Cheriton's current global rank among billionaires?

David Cheriton holds the 335th position globally among billionaires.

What is David Cheriton's current ranking within the Canada?

David Cheriton holds the 7th position in Canada.

What was the change in David Cheriton's net worth compared to the previous year?

David Cheriton's net worth decreased by 11.94 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 21.71 billion dollars.

What are David Cheriton's main sources of wealth?

David Cheriton's main source of income comes from Google.

In which industry does David Cheriton primarily operate?

David Cheriton is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is David Cheriton educational background?

David Cheriton holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of British Columbia, a Doctorate from the University of Waterloo and a Master of Science from the University of Waterloo.

How old is David Cheriton?

David Cheriton is 75 years old.

How many children does David Cheriton have?

David Cheriton has 4 children.

Who is David Ross Cheriton and what has he accomplished?

David Ross Cheriton is a Canadian computer scientist, businessman, philanthropist, and venture capitalist. He is a professor at Stanford University and the founder of the Distributed Systems Group. Renowned for his expertise in distributed computing and computer networking, Cheriton has founded and invested in several successful technology companies, including Google, VMware, and Arista Networks. As of April 2021, his net worth is estimated at US$8.8 billion.

What are some of David Ross Cheriton's contributions to computer science education?

David Ross Cheriton has a rich educational background, with a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia and Master's and Doctorate degrees in computer science from the University of Waterloo. Notable for his research in microkernel operating systems, he founded and leads the Distributed Systems Group at Stanford University. He has also mentored many prominent students and has contributed significant financial donations to Canadian universities to support education and research in computer science.

What key companies has David Ross Cheriton invested in, and how have they impacted the tech industry?

David Ross Cheriton has made pivotal early investments in tech giants such as Google and VMware. Additionally, he co-founded companies like Granite Systems, Kealia, and Arista Networks, which influenced the tech industry through acquisitions by Cisco, Sun Microsystems, and successful public offerings, respectively. His investment acumen and involvement in the industry have had a substantial impact on the development and growth of these technology enterprises.

How does David Ross Cheriton's lifestyle reflect his personal values?

Despite his immense wealth, David Ross Cheriton is known for his frugal lifestyle, preferring not to spend on luxury cars or opulent houses. His generous philanthropic efforts include donating millions to universities such as the University of Waterloo and the University of British Columbia to further education and research. Additionally, he has funded fellowships at Stanford University, showcasing his commitment to education and sensible financial management.

Can you tell me more about David Ross Cheriton's personal background and political contributions?

David Ross Cheriton was born in Vancouver, Canada, and raised in Edmonton. He married Iris Fraser in 1980 and divorced in 1994, and has four children. Known for his contributions to academia and industry, Cheriton has also made personal donations to Republican causes and Donald Trump's presidential campaign, indicating his involvement in political matters as well.