Hamdi Ulukaya

$13.50 B

Ranked #215 in World

About Hamdi Ulukaya

Explore the life of Hamdi Ulukaya, Turkish-American magnate and philanthropic force behind Chobani, the top strained yogurt brand in the US. Born into a Kurdish dairy family in Turkey on October 26, 1972, Ulukaya forged his own path with a political science background from Ankara University and a business degree from the University at Albany, SUNY. His innovative business strategies catapulted Chobani onto the global stage, expanding to multiple countries while championing fair wages and corporate purpose. Ulukaya, named in TIME's 100 Most Influential People, actively supports refugee aid and various charities, using his wealth to foster change.

Born

October 26, 1972 in Ovacik, Turkey

Age

53 years

Source Of Wealth

Greek Yogurt

Industries

Food & Beverage

Citizenship

Turkey

Residence

Norwich, New York

Education

Master of Business Administration, SUNY Albany

Spouse

Ayse Giray (Married: 1997-1999), Louise Vongerichten (Married: 2018)

Children

Hamdi Ulukaya was born on October 26, 1972, in İliç, Erzincan Province, Turkey. He was raised in a dairy-farming Kurdish family. Due to their nomadic lifestyle, the exact date of his birth is uncertain, and he uses October 26 as his official birthday. Ulukaya studied political science at Ankara University before immigrating to the United States in 1994. He went on to earn a business degree from the University at Albany, State University of New York.

Hamdi Ulukaya: Family

Hamdi Ulukaya is married to Louise Vongerichten, the co-founder of the Food Dreams Foundation. They have a son named Aga, and Ulukaya also has a son named Orhan from a previous relationship with Alida Boer.

Hamdi Ulukaya: Career Highlights

Hamdi Ulukaya founded Chobani, the #1-selling strained yogurt brand in the United States, in 2005. He purchased a defunct yogurt factory in South Edmeston, New York, and began production. Ulukaya developed his own yogurt recipe with the help of a yogurt master from Turkey. He used innovative marketing strategies, such as in-store samples and social media, to grow the Chobani brand. Ulukaya has also expanded Chobani internationally to countries such as Australia, Mexico, China, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Hamdi Ulukaya: Companies

Hamdi Ulukaya is the founder and CEO of Chobani, LLC. He is also the founder of the Tent Foundation, a nonprofit organization that assists refugees.

Hamdi Ulukaya: Major Achievements

Hamdi Ulukaya has achieved significant success in the business world. He has built Chobani into a multi-billion dollar company and has become one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the United States. Ulukaya is also known for his philanthropic efforts, including his work with the Tent Foundation and his donations to various charities.

Hamdi Ulukaya: Awards & Achievements

Hamdi Ulukaya has received numerous awards for his entrepreneurship and philanthropy. He was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2017.

Ulukaya has also been honored by various organizations for his humanitarian efforts.

Hamdi Ulukaya: Personal Life & Legacy

Hamdi Ulukaya lives in New Berlin, New York, near Chobani's headquarters. He is known for his humble and down-to-earth personality. Ulukaya is also a strong advocate for social justice and has spoken out on issues such as immigration reform and poverty. He has left a lasting legacy as a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist who has made a positive impact on the world.

Hamdi Ulukaya: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about Hamdi Ulukaya:

He started making cheese at the age of 16.
He worked as a shepherd before coming to the United States.
He speaks four languages: Turkish, Kurdish, English, and German.
He is a fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants.
He is a supporter of the Democratic Party.

Wealth History

Timeline

October 26, 1972

Hamdi Ulukaya was born in İliç, Erzincan Province, Turkey.

1994

Hamdi Ulukaya moved to the United States.

2005

Hamdi Ulukaya founded Chobani, the #1-selling strained yogurt brand in the US.

2015

Hamdi Ulukaya launched the Tent Foundation to assist refugees.

2017

Hamdi Ulukaya was named one of TIME Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World.

2021

Hamdi Ulukaya raised the starting wage at Chobani to $15 per hour.

2023

Hamdi Ulukaya pledged $2 million to relief efforts for the Turkey-Syria earthquake.

Hamdi Ulukaya : FAQs

What is Hamdi Ulukaya's current net worth?

Hamdi Ulukaya's current net worth is $13.50 billion.

What is Hamdi Ulukaya's current global rank among billionaires?

Hamdi Ulukaya holds the 215th position globally among billionaires.

What is Hamdi Ulukaya's current ranking within the Turkey?

Hamdi Ulukaya holds the 1st position in Turkey.

What was the change in Hamdi Ulukaya's net worth compared to the previous year?

Hamdi Ulukaya's net worth decreased by 1.11 billion dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 14.61 billion dollars.

What are Hamdi Ulukaya's main sources of wealth?

Hamdi Ulukaya's main source of income comes from Greek Yogurt.

In which industry does Hamdi Ulukaya primarily operate?

Hamdi Ulukaya is primarily involved in the Food & Beverage industry.

What is Hamdi Ulukaya educational background?

Hamdi Ulukaya holds a Master of Business Administration from SUNY Albany.

How old is Hamdi Ulukaya?

Hamdi Ulukaya is 53 years old.

Who is Hamdi Ulukaya and what is he known for?

Hamdi Ulukaya is a Turkish-American billionaire businessman, activist, and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder of Chobani, the #1-selling strained yogurt brand in the US.

How did Hamdi Ulukaya start Chobani and expand its market?

Hamdi Ulukaya founded Chobani in 2005 by purchasing a defunct yogurt factory in South Edmeston, New York. He developed a unique yogurt recipe and utilized innovative marketing strategies to grow Chobani, eventually expanding to countries like Australia, Mexico, China, Malaysia, and Thailand.

What are Hamdi Ulukaya's contributions to philanthropy and how has he supported refugees?

Hamdi Ulukaya is a prominent philanthropist who has donated to Muslim charities and refugee causes. He launched the Tent Foundation in 2015 to assist refugees, pledged $2 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, paid $77,000 for student lunch debts in Rhode Island, and contributed $2 million for the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquake relief efforts.

What business philosophy does Hamdi Ulukaya advocate for?

Hamdi Ulukaya advocates for higher employee wages and fostering a corporate culture with a sense of purpose. He believes in giving back through his Chobani Foundation and raised the company's starting wage to $15 per hour in 2021.