Cathie Wood, a name now synonymous with innovative investing, didn’t always command the spotlight she does today. Her journey began in the early 1980s at the prestigious firm E.F. Hutton, where she started as a research analyst, a role typically dominated by men at the time. Wood’s keen intellect and unyielding determination quickly set her apart, leading her to become the company’s chief investment officer by the late 1990s.

However, it was her departure from E.F. Hutton in 2014 that truly catapulted her to fame. Wood founded ARK Invest, a forward-thinking investment firm focused on disruptive technologies. Her bold predictions and investments in companies like Tesla and Square, which were then considered risky, began to pay off handsomely. As these companies soared, so did Wood’s reputation, making her a household name in the world of finance.

Cathie Wood’s Current Net Worth

As of 2025, Cathie Wood’s net worth is estimated to be around $800 million, according to Forbes. This significant wealth is primarily attributed to her successful career in the investment industry and her innovative approach to fund management.

Cathie Wood’s Career

Cathie Wood is a renowned American businesswoman and investment manager. She is the founder and CEO of ARK Invest, an investment management firm specializing in disruptive innovation. Wood began her career as a financial analyst at E.F. Hutton in the late 1970s and later worked for various investment firms. She co-founded ARK Invest in 2014, where she manages several exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on themes like genomics, robotics, and artificial intelligence.

Other Ventures

In addition to ARK Invest, Wood is also involved in other ventures. She is a member of the board of directors at The Children’s Investment Fund Foundation, a UK-based charity focused on improving children’s lives worldwide. Wood is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and has been recognized for her contributions to the investment industry, including being named one of Fortune’s “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2020.

Assets

Cathie Wood’s assets primarily consist of her stake in ARK Invest and its affiliated funds. As of 2025, she owns approximately 30% of ARK’s outstanding shares. She also holds significant investments in various tech and healthcare companies, reflecting her focus on disruptive innovation. Additionally, Wood owns several properties, including a home in Greenwich, Connecticut, and an apartment in New York City.

Annual Income

Cathie Wood’s annual income is primarily derived from her compensation as the CEO of ARK Invest and her stake in the firm’s profits. In 2020, her total compensation was reported to be around $6 million, according to regulatory filings. This figure can vary from year to year, depending on the performance of ARK’s funds and the company’s overall profits. Wood’s wealth has also grown significantly through the appreciation of her ARK Invest shares and the success of the funds she manages.

Frequently Asked Questions about  Cathie Wood

Frequently Asked Questions: Cathie Wood Net Worth

1. What is Cathie Wood’s net worth?

Cathie Wood’s net worth is estimated to be around $800 million.

2. How did Cathie Wood make her fortune?

Cathie Wood made her fortune by founding and managing ARK Invest, an investment management firm focused on disruptive innovation. She is also a renowned investor and futurist.

3. What is ARK Invest?

ARK Invest is an investment management firm that specializes in actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that focus on disruptive innovation. Cathie Wood is the CEO and Chief Investment Officer of the firm.

4. What are some of Cathie Wood’s most successful investments?

Some of Cathie Wood’s most successful investments include Tesla, Teladoc, and Square. Her fund, ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK), has seen significant growth due to these and other successful investments.

5. What is Cathie Wood’s educational background?

Cathie Wood graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in Finance and Economics. She also holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

6. What inspired Cathie Wood to focus on disruptive innovation?

Cathie Wood’s interest in disruptive innovation was sparked by her fascination with the work of economist Joseph Schumpeter, who coined the term “creative destruction” to describe the process by which new technologies and business models replace older ones.

7. What are some of the trends that Cathie Wood is currently focused on?

Cathie Wood is currently focused on trends such as artificial intelligence, robotics, genomics, and next-generation internet technologies. She believes these trends will drive significant growth and disruption in various industries.

8. What is Cathie Wood’s investment philosophy?

Cathie Wood’s investment philosophy is centered around identifying and investing in companies that are at the forefront of disruptive innovation. She believes that these companies have the potential to generate significant long-term growth and outperform the broader market.

9. How can I invest in ARK Invest’s ETFs?

ARK Invest’s ETFs are publicly traded and can be purchased through a brokerage account, just like any other stock or ETF. Some popular brokerages that offer access to ARK Invest’s ETFs include Vanguard, Fidelity, and Schwab.

10. What is Cathie Wood’s approach to risk management?

Cathie Wood acknowledges that investing in disruptive innovation can be risky, as these companies often operate in rapidly changing environments. To manage risk, she focuses on diversifying her portfolio across multiple disruptive trends and conducting thorough research on the companies she invests in.