John Tu

$16.50 B

Ranked #165 in World

About John Tu

Chinese-American billionaire and Kingston Technology co-founder John Tu has made his mark as a notable entrepreneur and philanthropist. Born in Chongqing, China (1941), and rising from his roots as the son of a Nationalist government official, Tu migrated through Shanghai to Taiwan before studying electrical engineering in Germany, culminating in a role at Motorola. His business acumen led to the creation and eventual buyback of Kingston, alongside generous philanthropic contributions, including support for journalism, education, and the arts.

Born

August 12, 1941 in Chungking, China

Age

84 years

Source Of Wealth

Computer Hardware

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Rolling Hills, California

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt

Children

John Tu was born on August 12, 1941, in Chongqing, China. His father was an official in China's Nationalist government. In 1945, the Tu family moved to Shanghai, and in 1947, they relocated to Taiwan. John Tu studied electrical engineering at the Technische Hochschule Darmstadt in Germany, graduating in 1970. He then worked for Motorola in Wiesbaden, Germany, before moving to California in 1971.

John Tu: Family

John Tu is married and has two children. He is a family man who enjoys spending time with his loved ones.

John Tu: Career Highlights

John Tu's career is marked by several significant achievements. In 1982, he co-founded Camintonn with David Sun. They sold the company for $6 million in 1986. In the same year, Tu founded Kingston Technology, which became a leading manufacturer of memory products. In 1996, Tu sold 80% of Kingston to Softbank for $1.5 billion. However, he bought it back in 1999 for $450 million.

John Tu: Companies

John Tu is associated with the following companies: Camintonn, Kingston Technology, and Softbank.

John Tu: Major Achievements

John Tu's major achievements include co-founding Kingston Technology and making it a global leader in the memory products industry. He is also known for his philanthropic contributions, including donations to educational institutions and support for various causes.

John Tu: Awards & Achievements

John Tu has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the technology industry and philanthropy. These include the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, the Horatio Alger Award, and the Asian American Engineer of the Year Award.

John Tu: Personal Life & Legacy

John Tu is a private individual who enjoys spending time with his family and playing drums with his band, JT and California Dreamin'. He is also known for his philanthropic work and his commitment to education.

John Tu: Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about John Tu:

He is a Chinese-American billionaire businessman and philanthropist.

He co-founded Kingston Technology, a leading manufacturer of memory products.
He sold 80% of Kingston to Softbank for $1.5 billion in 1996 and bought it back in 1999 for $450 million.
He is a major donor to educational institutions and various causes.
He plays drums with his band, JT and California Dreamin'.

Wealth History

Timeline

August 12, 1941

John Tu was born in Chongqing, China.

1945

Moved to Shanghai.

1947

Moved to Taiwan.

1970

Graduated from the Technische Hochschule Darmstadt in Germany with a degree in electrical engineering.

1971

Moved to California and worked for Motorola in Wiesbaden, Germany.

1982

Co-founded Camintonn with David Sun.

1986

Sold Camintonn for $6 million and founded Kingston Technology.

1996

Sold 80% of Kingston to Softbank for $1.5 billion.

1999

Bought back Kingston from Softbank for $450 million.

N/A

Donated to the Western Iowa Journalism Foundation to help the Storm Lake (Iowa) Times buy its local competition and a weekly in an adjoining county.

N/A

Supported Erin Gruwell's Freedom Writers and the Freedom Writers Foundation.

N/A

Donated $1.2 million to UC Irvine to provide every first-year medical student with an iPad.

John Tu : FAQs

What is John Tu's current net worth?

John Tu's current net worth is $16.50 billion.

What is John Tu's current global rank among billionaires?

John Tu holds the 165th position globally among billionaires.

What is John Tu's current ranking within the United States?

John Tu holds the 64th position in United States.

What was the change in John Tu's net worth compared to the previous year?

John Tu's net worth decreased by 852.77 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 17.35 billion dollars.

What are John Tu's main sources of wealth?

John Tu's main source of income comes from Computer Hardware.

In which industry does John Tu primarily operate?

John Tu is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is John Tu educational background?

John Tu holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Technische Universität Darmstadt.

How old is John Tu?

John Tu is 84 years old.

How many children does John Tu have?

John Tu has 2 children.

Who is John Tu and what is he known for?

John Tu is a Chinese-American billionaire businessman and philanthropist, known for co-founding Kingston Technology, a leading computer memory products company.

Can you outline John Tu's journey in the technology industry?

John Tu co-founded Camintonn in 1982 and after selling it in 1986, he founded Kingston Technology. Remarkably, he sold 80% of Kingston to Softbank in 1996 and repurchased it in 1999 for a fraction of the selling price.

What philanthropic efforts has John Tu made?

John Tu has engaged in various philanthropic activities, including supporting the Storm Lake Times in Iowa, contributing to the Freedom Writers Foundation, and donating to UC Irvine to supply iPads to medical students.

What are some personal details about John Tu's life outside of business?

Beyond his business achievements, John Tu is married with two children and has a passion for music, playing drums with his band, JT and California Dreamin'.