Peter Thiel’s Net Worth
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The post Peter Thiel’s Net Worth by Ryan Peterson appeared first on Benzinga. Visit Benzinga to get more great content like this. According to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list, Peter Thiel’s net wo...
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cryptocurrency
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August 13, 2025
04:25 PM
Benzinga
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According to Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list, Peter Thiel’s net worth stands at $23.2 billion as of August 2025
The venture capitalist and visionary contrarian has built his wealth on some of Big ’s biggest names, including PayPal, Facebook and Palantir.While not as publicly visible as other titans, Thiel’s fortune is the duct of early-stage venture bets on transformative companies, public equity positions, and a steadfastly contrarian apach to capital
Table of ContentsWhere Peter Thiel's Wealth Comes FromKey Milestones in Peter Thiel's Wealth TrajectoryCompensation and HoldingsSee All 7 ItemsWhere Peter Thiel’s Wealth Comes FromThiel’s fortune is built on decades of successful and founding roles in transformative companies.PayPal Exit (~$55 million net): Thiel co-founded the online payment company in 1998 and led it through the 2002 sale to eBay for $1.5 billion
His ~3.7% stake yielded roughly $55 million after taxes according to Bloomberg.Early Facebook Bet (~$1 billion+ realized): In 2004, Thiel invested $500,000 for a 10.2% stake in Facebook
Over the next decade, he liquidated most of his position, banking over $1 billion in gains, as reported by Forbes.Palantir Equity (~$1.5 billion remaining): As a co-founder of Palantir, Thiel controls the s held by his special-purpose vehicles (335,000 Class F s via the Founder Voting Trust) and direct holdings of Class A stock
Using Palantir’s 2025 xy Statement, those combined positions are still valued at roughly $1.5 billion.Founders Fund & Private VC Stakes (~$10 billion): As a General Partner at Founders Fund, Thiel’s carried-interest and direct investments in SpaceX, Stripe, and other unicorns underpin an estimated $10 billion of unrealized value, per Bloomberg.Thiel Capital & Hedge Vehicles (~$3 billion): Through Clarium Capital and Thiel Capital, he holds macro-hedge positions and token stakes in crypto, estimated at $3 billion in mark-to-market value according to Bloomberg.Hollywood Hills Estate: ($25 million) Acquired in 2012 for $11.5 million in the Hollywood Hills West neighborhood of central Los Angeles
Its current market value is estimated at $25 million.New Zealand Retreat: ($4.8 million) A 193-hectare Wanaka perty bought after obtaining New Zealand citizenship
Insurance filings valued the and grounds at $4.8 million (plus land imvements).Cash & Liquid Investments (~$2 Billion): ceeds parked in money-market funds and short-term Treasuries, estimated at $2 billion, according to Bloomberg’s analysis of Thiel’s tax filings.Key Milestones in Peter Thiel’s Wealth Trajectory1998–2002: Builds and sells PayPal; becomes one of the first PayPal Mafia members to reinvest in .2004: Invests $500,000 in Facebook
The investment yields a 200x return by the time Thiel fully exits.2005–2015: Launches and expands Palantir, a company whose client base includes U.S. intelligence and defense agencies.2020: Palantir goes public via a direct listing, adding billions to Thiel’s net worth.2022–2025: Steps away from the Facebook board, increases focus on ideological ventures and early-stage through Founders Fund and the Thiel Foundation.Compensation and HoldingsPeter Thiel does not earn a traditional salary from a single corporation
Instead, his wealth grows through capital gains, venture fund carry, and appreciated equity stakes
Notable current assets include: Asset TypeEstimated Value% of Net WorthFounders Fund & Private VC Stakes$10B43%Facebook ceeds (realized)$6B26%Thiel Capital & Hedge Vehicles$3B13%Palantir Equity (remaining stake)$1.5B6%Real Estate & Private Assets$0.7B3%Cash & Liquid Investments$2B9% * Percentages reflect of total net worth; “realized” gains from Facebook are historical and not part of his current asset pool
Disclaimer: All figures are estimates derived from publicly filed SEC documents (Palantir 2025 xy SEC, Forbes Real-Time data)
Unvested equity awards, contingent carry, tax liabilities, and transaction costs are excluded
Actual realizable net worth may vary materially.Influence Beyond the Balance SheetPeter Thiel’s impact spans , finance, and
As PayPal’s first CEO and a Founders Fund partner, he helped shape Silicon Valley’s funding ecosystem
His Thiel Fellowship subsidizes young entrepreneurs ($100,000 awards according to Forbes), and his ideological investments from media outlets to policy think tanks underscore a belief in contrarian, long-term bets.Public Persona & ControversyThiel has never been shy challenging the quo
After moving to Los Angeles in 2018, he publicly criticized Silicon Valley as a “one-party state.” He’s since invested in media outlets, defense , and even purchased citizenship in New Zealand, a move some interpret as both strategic and symbolic.On a practical level, New Zealand is known for its strong legal tections, political stability, and geographic isolation, making it a location for entrepreneur “safe haven” plans
Symbolically, Thiel’s new citizenship sends a message autonomy, sovereignty, and the desire to remain insulated from potential societal or regulatory upheaval elsewhere
His penchant for defying convention and hedging against future uncertainties has become central to the mythos surrounding his public persona.Final ThoughtPeter Thiel’s $23.2 billion fortune reflects far more than a string of investments
It represents a worldview rooted in disruption, independence, and long-term bets
From PayPal to Palantir to the next generation of entrepreneurs, Thiel has been both builder and backer of some of the century’s most consequential nologies.While other billionaires seek influence through public companies, Thiel operates from the shadows amplifying his impact through capital, networks, and ideas.Frequently Asked QuestionsQIs Peter Thiel a billionaire?AYes
As of August 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at $23.2 billion
QWhat is Peter Thiel best known for?AHe co-founded PayPal, was Facebook’s first outside investor, and is a major backer of Palantir and Founders Fund
QDoes Thiel still own Palantir stock?AYes, though he has reduced his stake, Thiel still retains a meaningful equity position
QIs Peter Thiel politically active?AYes, he has funded libertarian and conservative candidates, media outlets, and ideological foundations.
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