Andrew Viterbi Net Worth (Updated 2025).
Andrew Viterbi kicked off his career in the dynamic field of electrical engineering, earning his Bachelor’s degree at the University of California, Berkeley, and later his Master’s and Ph.D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His academic journey was marked by a deep curiosity for communication systems and information theory, which would eventually become the cornerstone of his fame.
Viterbi’s breakthrough came in the 1960s when he was working at Hughes Aircraft Company. He developed the Viterbi algorithm, a groundbreaking technique for decoding convolutional codes, which are used extensively in error correction in digital communications. This algorithm revolutionized the field of communication systems and is now a staple in various applications, from wireless networks to digital storage systems.
**Andrew Viterbi’s Current Net Worth (2025)**
As of 2025, Andrew Viterbi’s net worth is estimated to be around $3.5 billion, according to Forbes. This significant wealth is primarily attributed to his role as the co-founder of Qualcomm, a global leader in wireless technology.
**Career**
Andrew Viterbi, a renowned engineer and entrepreneur, co-founded Qualcomm in 1985. Initially serving as its President and CEO, he later became the company’s Chairman. His pioneering work in the field of coding theory, including the development of the Viterbi algorithm, has had a profound impact on the telecommunications industry.
**Other Ventures**
Beyond Qualcomm, Viterbi has been involved in various other ventures. He co-founded the Viterbi Group, a venture capital firm focused on technology and life sciences. Additionally, he serves on the board of directors for several companies, including ViaSat and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies.
**Assets**
Viterbi’s assets include a significant stake in Qualcomm, which he has built over his decades-long tenure with the company. He also owns a substantial real estate portfolio, including properties in La Jolla, California, and Aspen, Colorado.
**Annual Income**
While specific details about Andrew Viterbi’s annual income are not publicly disclosed, as a major shareholder of Qualcomm, he likely benefits from the company’s substantial profits. In 2021, Qualcomm reported a net income of $12.6 billion, providing an indication of the potential scale of Viterbi’s earnings from his stake in the company.
Frequently Asked Questions about Andrew Viterbi
**Frequently Asked Questions: Andrew Viterbi Net Worth**
1. **What is Andrew Viterbi’s net worth?**
Andrew Viterbi’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 billion.
2. **How did Andrew Viterbi make his fortune?**
Viterbi made his fortune as the co-founder of Qualcomm, a multinational corporation known for its work in the wireless telecommunication industry.
3. **When was Qualcomm founded?**
Qualcomm was founded in 1985 by seven co-founders, including Andrew Viterbi.
4. **What is Andrew Viterbi’s role at Qualcomm?**
Viterbi served as the President and CEO of Qualcomm from 1988 to 2000. He is currently the Chairman Emeritus of the company.
5. **What is the Viterbi algorithm?**
The Viterbi algorithm is a dynamic programming algorithm used to find the most likely sequence of hidden states – known as the Viterbi path – that results in a sequence of observed events, especially in the context of Markov processes.
6. **Is Andrew Viterbi the inventor of the Viterbi algorithm?**
No, Andrew Viterbi is not the inventor of the Viterbi algorithm. It was named after him as he was the first to publish a paper on it in 1967 while working at IBM.
7. **What is Andrew Viterbi’s educational background?**
Viterbi received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University.
8. **Does Andrew Viterbi have any philanthropic endeavors?**
Yes, Viterbi is known for his philanthropic work. He and his wife, Erna, have made significant donations to various causes, including the establishment of the Viterbi School of Engineering at the University of Southern California.
9. **What awards has Andrew Viterbi received?**
Viterbi has received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal, and the Marconi Prize.
10. **Is Andrew Viterbi still active in the tech industry?**
While Viterbi is no longer involved in day-to-day operations at Qualcomm, he continues to be actively involved in the tech industry through his investments and philanthropic efforts.
