As Iran-Israel tensions rise, here are the top 10 richest Iranians in the world, their net worth, businesses, and global influence.
Many of Iran’s richest individuals live and operate outside the country, having built global empires in technology, finance, retail, real estate, and space exploration.
As tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate following recent military strikes and growing international involvement, global attention has expanded beyond geopolitics to Iran’s economic and business influence worldwide. With the United States entering the conflict after threatening Iran, interest has surged around prominent Iranians who hold immense wealth and influence across global industries.
Many of Iran’s richest individuals live and operate outside the country, having built global empires in technology, finance, retail, real estate, and space exploration.
Here is a closer look at the top 10 richest people of Iranian origin, whose fortunes place them among the world’s elite billionaires.
| Rank | Name | Industry | Net Worth (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pierre Omidyar | Technology (eBay) | $10.5 billion |
| 2 | Behdad Eghbali | Private Equity (Clearlake Capital) | $4.4 billion |
| 3 | Farhad Moshiri | Investment & Business Partnerships | $2.8 billion |
| 4 | Kamal “Kam” Ghaffarian | Space, Nuclear & Energy | $2.5 billion |
| 5 | Ghermezian Family | Real Estate (Mall of America, West Edmonton Mall) | $2.5 billion |
| 6 | Hassan Khosrowshahi | Retail & Investments (Future Shop, Persis Holdings) | $1.8 billion |
| 7 | Paul & David Merage | Food Industry (Hot Pockets) & Investments | $1.8 billion |
| 8 | David Alliance (Baron Alliance) | Textiles & UK Business Holdings | $1.5 billion |
| 9 | Manny Mashouf | Fashion (Bebe Stores) & Media | $1.3 billion |
| 10 | Isaac Larian | Toys (MGA Entertainment) | $1.1 billion |
Pierre Omidyar tops the list as the richest Iranian-born billionaire. He is the founder of eBay, one of the world’s most influential online marketplaces. Beyond technology, Omidyar also invests heavily in media and philanthropy through ventures like First Look Media.
Behdad Eghbali, co-founder of Clearlake Capital, ranks second. His private equity firm manages assets worth more than US$90 billion, with investments across technology and industrial sectors. His personal wealth is estimated at US$4.4 billion.
Another notable figure is Farhad Moshiri, a business partner of Russian billionaire Usmanov. Known for investments in metals, mining, and sports, Moshiri’s fortune is valued at US$2.8 billion.
Kamal Ghaffarian, an Iranian-born entrepreneur, made his mark in advanced industries, including nuclear energy and space exploration. As the founder of companies like Axiom Space and Intuitive Machines, his net worth is estimated at US$2.5 billion.
The Ghermezian Family, developers of iconic shopping destinations such as the Mall of America, also holds wealth estimated at US$2.5 billion, cementing their influence in global real estate.
Hassan Khosrowshahi, founder of Canada’s electronics retail giant Future Shop, built a fortune now valued at US$1.8 billion. Similarly, brothers Paul and David Merage, creators of the popular Hot Pockets brand, amassed a combined wealth of US$1.8 billion after selling the brand and investing in real estate and finance.
David Alliance, a major figure in the UK textile industry, holds a fortune estimated at US$1.5 billion.
Fashion entrepreneur Manny Mashouf, founder of Bebe Stores, built his US$1.3 billion empire through luxury retail and later expanded into film and media investments.
Rounding out the list is Isaac Larian, founder of toy giant MGA Entertainment. From humble beginnings in the US, Larian built a global toy empire and now has an estimated net worth of US$1.1 billion.
These individuals highlight how Iranian-origin entrepreneurs have shaped global industries despite political turmoil at home. As geopolitical tensions rise, their global influence underscores Iran’s deep connections to international business, finance, and innovation.
