According to the Forbes 2025 ranking of the richest immigrants in the United States, four individuals with roots in Ukraine now count among the country’s most successful billionaires. From social media platforms to green energy and fintech innovation, these four entrepreneurs represent distinct sectors of the American economy. Their collective achievements have earned Ukraine the 9th spot among all countries of origin represented in the list, as reported by G.Business with reference to Forbes.
Below are the profiles of these business leaders whose stories began in Eastern Europe but whose impact is now global.
1. Jan Koum – Co-founder of WhatsApp
- Net Worth: $16.9 billion
- Forbes Rank: #9
- Origin: Born in Kyiv, emigrated with his mother and grandmother
- Sector: Technology / Communications
Jan Koum’s story is emblematic of the “American Dream.” After arriving in the U.S. as a teenager and living on food stamps, he taught himself programming. In 2009, he co-founded WhatsApp, the encrypted messaging platform that was acquired by Facebook (Meta) in 2014 for $19 billion. Today, Koum resides in California and has become a major philanthropist, particularly supporting Jewish and Ukrainian causes.
2. Leonid Radvinsky – Owner of OnlyFans
- Net Worth: $3.8 billion
- Forbes Rank: #50
- Origin: Born in Odesa, emigrated to Chicago as a child
- Sector: Digital Media / Subscription Economy
Leonid Radvinsky operates mostly out of the spotlight but controls one of the most lucrative platforms in the creator economy: OnlyFans. Known for its subscription-based adult content, OnlyFans saw massive growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Radvinsky’s ownership of the platform has placed him among the top digital entrepreneurs globally.
3. Michael Polsky – CEO of Invenergy LLC
- Net Worth: $2.5 billion
- Forbes Rank: #75
- Origin: Soviet Ukraine, emigrated in 1976 with $500
- Sector: Renewable Energy / Infrastructure
Arriving in the U.S. with little money and an engineering degree, Michael Polsky built a renewable energy empire. His company, Invenergy, is one of the largest private developers of wind, solar, and battery storage projects in North America. Polsky is also a noted philanthropist and advocate for energy innovation and immigrant entrepreneurship.
4. Max Levchin – Co-founder of PayPal, CEO of Affirm
- Net Worth: $2.1 billion
- Forbes Rank: #85
- Origin: Born in Kyiv, emigrated in 1991
- Sector: FinTech / Digital Payments
Best known as one of the original members of the “PayPal Mafia,” Max Levchin helped create the foundation of digital payments as we know them. Today, he is the CEO of Affirm, a public fintech company specializing in buy-now-pay-later services. Levchin has also invested in various tech ventures and remains a major voice in Silicon Valley.
Ukraine Ranked 9th Among Countries of Immigrant Billionaires in the U.S.
According to Forbes, the United States remains a magnet for entrepreneurial talent from across the globe. While countries like India, Israel, and China are often cited, Ukraine’s position at #9 underscores the country’s capacity to produce global business leaders, particularly in tech and innovation.
Global Top 3 Immigrant Billionaires 2025 (by net worth)
| Rank | Name | Country of Birth | Net Worth (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elon Musk | South Africa | $393.1 billion |
| 2 | Sergey Brin | Russia | $139.7 billion |
| 3 | Jensen Huang | Taiwan | $137.9 billion |
The Forbes ranking is more than a list of names and numbers. It reflects broader global trends — the role of migration in shaping modern economies, and the immense impact of immigrant entrepreneurs on innovation. In this context, the four Ukrainian-born billionaires represent not just personal success, but a testament to resilience, opportunity, and the enduring value of global mobility.
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