Min Kao & family

$7.45 B

Ranked #491 in World

About Min Kao & family

Min H. Kao, a celebrated Taiwanese-American entrepreneur and philanthropist, co-founded Garmin, a leader in GPS technology, and has been an esteemed member of the National Academy of Engineering since 2011. Born in 1949 in Taiwan, Kao achieved his doctorate in electrical engineering and has an extensive career including roles at NASA and Teledyne. With deep roots in philanthropy, Kao significantly contributed to various engineering colleges in the U.S. His personal wealth stood at $4.1 billion as of February 2020.

Born

January 10, 1949 in Zhushan, Taiwan

Age

77 years

Source Of Wealth

Navigation Equipment

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Leawood, Kansas

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, National Taiwan University; Doctorate, University of Tennessee Knoxville; Master of Science, University of Tennessee Knoxville

Children

2, including Jen Kao

Min H. Kao was born on October 15, 1949, in Zhushan, Nantou, Taiwan. He grew up in a modest family and showed an early aptitude for mathematics and science. Kao completed his primary and secondary education in Taiwan before enrolling at the prestigious National Taiwan University.

Min Kao & family: Family

Min H. Kao is married to Fan Kao, and they have two children together: Ken Kao, a film producer, and Jen Kao, a fashion designer. The family resides primarily in Leawood, Kansas, but also maintains an apartment in 15 Central Park West, Manhattan, New York City.

Min Kao & family: Career Highlights

Min H. Kao's career in electrical engineering and business has been marked by several notable achievements:

Undertook research for NASA and the United States Army.
Worked as a systems analyst for Teledyne Systems.
Served as an algorithm designer for Magnavox Advanced Products.
Held the position of engineering group leader for King Radio Corporation.
Worked for AlliedSignal before co-founding Garmin with Gary Burrell in 1989.
Stepped down as CEO of Garmin in 2012 but remains executive chairman and a member of the board.

Min Kao & family: Companies

Min H. Kao is primarily known for his association with the following companies:

Garmin: Co-founded in 1989, Garmin is a leading manufacturer of GPS navigation devices and other electronic products.
Teledyne Systems: Worked as a systems analyst.
Magnavox Advanced Products: Served as an algorithm designer.
King Radio Corporation: Held the position of engineering group leader.
AlliedSignal: Worked for this company before co-founding Garmin.

Min Kao & family: Major Achievements

Min H. Kao's major achievements include:

Co-founding Garmin, which has become a global leader in GPS navigation technology.
Leading Garmin's growth and success, making it a multi-billion dollar company.
Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2011 for his contributions to the development and commercialization of compact GPS navigation devices.

Min Kao & family: Awards & Achievements

Min H. Kao has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to engineering and business:

Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2011.
Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003.
Received the IEEE James Clerk Maxwell Medal in 2004.
Inducted into the Consumer Electronics Association Hall of Fame in 2010.

Min Kao & family: Personal Life & Legacy

Min H. Kao is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the field of engineering education. He has made significant donations to several universities, including the University of Tennessee, the University of Kansas, and Kansas State University.

Kao's personal wealth is estimated at $4.1 billion as of February 2020, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the technology industry.

Min Kao & family: Trivia

Min H. Kao is an avid art collector and has a passion for modern and contemporary art.
He is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying his own plane.
Kao is a strong advocate for STEM education and has established several scholarship programs to support students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Wealth History

Timeline

1949

Min H. Kao was born in Zhushan, Nantou, Taiwan.

1977

Min H. Kao earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee.

1989

Min H. Kao co-founded Garmin with Gary Burrell.

2005

Min H. Kao gave $17.5 million to the College of Engineering of the University of Tennessee.

2011

Min H. Kao was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for leadership in developing and commercializing compact GPS navigation devices.

2011

Min H. Kao purchased an apartment in 15 Central Park West, Manhattan, New York City.

2012

Min H. Kao stepped down as CEO of Garmin, but remains executive chairman and a member of the board.

2014

Min H. Kao donated $1 million to the University of Kansas College of Engineering.

2015

Min H. Kao donated $1 million to the Kansas State University College of Engineering.

Min Kao & family : FAQs

What is Min Kao's current net worth?

Min Kao's current net worth is $7.45 billion.

What is Min Kao's current global rank among billionaires?

Min Kao holds the 491st position globally among billionaires.

What is Min Kao's current ranking within the United States?

Min Kao holds the 193rd position in United States.

What was the change in Min Kao's net worth compared to the previous year?

Min Kao's net worth increased by 620.36 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 6.83 billion dollars.

What are Min Kao's main sources of wealth?

Min Kao's main source of income comes from Navigation Equipment.

In which industry does Min Kao primarily operate?

Min Kao is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is Min Kao educational background?

Min Kao holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from National Taiwan University, a Doctorate from the University of Tennessee Knoxville and a Master of Science from the University of Tennessee Knoxville.

How old is Min Kao?

Min Kao is 77 years old.

How many children does Min Kao have?

Min Kao has 2 children.

Who is Min H. Kao and what is his contribution to technology?

Min H. Kao is a Taiwanese-American electrical engineer, billionaire businessman, and philanthropist, best known for co-founding and chairing Garmin, a leading company in manufacturing compact GPS navigation devices. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2011 for his leadership in the field.

What are some highlights from Min H. Kao's early education and academic achievements?

Born in Taiwan in 1949, Min H. Kao graduated from the National Taiwan University and later earned a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee in 1977. His early education set a firm foundation for his future success.

Can you provide an overview of Min H. Kao's professional career?

Min H. Kao has held various roles including research for NASA and the US Army, as a systems analyst for Teledyne Systems, an algorithm designer, and an engineering group leader before co-founding Garmin in 1989. He stepped down as CEO in 2012 but continues as executive chairman and board member.

How has Min H. Kao demonstrated his commitment to philanthropy?

Min H. Kao has made substantial donations to higher education, including $17.5 million to the University of Tennessee's College of Engineering, and $1 million each to the University of Kansas and Kansas State University's Colleges of Engineering, reflecting his commitment to giving back and supporting education.

What are some personal details about Min H. Kao's life, family, and wealth?

Married with two children, Min H. Kao resides in Leawood, Kansas, but spends a lot of time in his Manhattan apartment. His son Ken is a film producer and his daughter Jen is a fashion designer. Kao's personal wealth was estimated at $4.1 billion in February 2020.