Ken Xie Net Worth

What is Ken Xie's Net Worth?

Ken Xie is a Chinese-American billionaire entrepreneur, engineer, and technology executive who has a net worth $6 billion. Ken earned his fortune as the co-founder of cybersecurity firm Fortinet. Ken owns 7.8% of Fortinet, which is publicly traded under the ticker FTNT. He and co-founder/brother Michael (who owns 7%) became billionaires when the company went public in 2009. As of this writing, FTNT has a market cap of $65 billion.

A visionary in the networking and security space, Xie has been at the forefront of internet security since the early 1990s, developing technologies that have helped shape the modern internet. Before Fortinet, he founded Systems Integration Solutions and later NetScreen Technologies, which pioneered ASIC-based firewall appliances and was acquired by Juniper Networks for $4 billion in 2004. His career has been defined by an ability to anticipate how networks and data security would evolve, building multiple companies around those insights. Today, Fortinet is one of the world's largest cybersecurity firms, generating billions in annual revenue and competing with industry giants like Cisco and Palo Alto Networks.

Early Life and Education

Ken Xie was born in Beijing, China, and grew up with a strong interest in engineering and computer science. He studied at Tsinghua University, one of China's most prestigious institutions, where he earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. He later immigrated to the United States to further his education and attended Stanford University, receiving a master's degree in electrical engineering. During his time at Stanford, Xie deepened his expertise in network security, laying the foundation for his entrepreneurial ventures.

Early Ventures

Xie's entrepreneurial journey began in 1993 when he founded Systems Integration Solutions, a consulting company focused on network security and performance. In 1996, he launched NetScreen Technologies, where he and his team developed some of the first firewall appliances using custom-built ASICs to accelerate performance. NetScreen quickly became a leading player in enterprise security solutions, and in 2004, Juniper Networks acquired the company for $4 billion, marking one of the largest deals in the industry at the time.

(Photo by K. Y. Cheng/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)

Fortinet

In 2000, Ken Xie co-founded Fortinet with his younger brother, Michael Xie. The company was created around a vision to deliver integrated, high-performance network security through custom hardware and software. Fortinet's flagship product, the FortiGate firewall, became the cornerstone of its product suite, combining speed, scalability, and robust protection.

Under Ken Xie's leadership, Fortinet went public on the NASDAQ in 2009. Over the years, the company has expanded beyond firewalls to offer a broad range of security solutions, including intrusion prevention systems, endpoint security, secure SD-WAN, and cloud security. Fortinet has grown into a global powerhouse with tens of thousands of customers worldwide, annual revenues in the billions, and a workforce numbering over 10,000 employees.

Xie's vision for Fortinet has consistently centered on innovation, integrating hardware and software to stay ahead of increasingly complex cyber threats. His leadership has been recognized by industry groups and business publications, cementing his place as one of the most influential figures in the cybersecurity sector.

Other Roles and Recognition

Beyond Fortinet, Xie has been involved in broader technology and business communities. He has served on advisory boards and participated in industry initiatives aimed at improving global cybersecurity standards. Recognized for his pioneering contributions, he has received numerous accolades, including honors from Ernst & Young and various technology industry organizations.

Personal Life

Ken and his wife Winnie Lee Xie and his wife have three children: two sons and a daughter. In December 2016, Ken filed for divorce. But the case was eventually withdrawn.

Their eldest, Jamie Xie, is a fashion influencer and reality television personality who gained international attention in 2021 as part of the cast of the Netflix reality series "Bling Empire." While Ken himself tends to keep a low public profile, Jamie's rising prominence in fashion and entertainment has drawn additional attention to the family. Despite his high-profile career and billionaire status, Xie is known for maintaining a private lifestyle focused on his family and his work at Fortinet.

Real Estate

In 2004, Ken paid $10.4 million for a 1.5-acre property in Atherton, California that features a 14,000-square-foot mansion that was built the year prior.

Who's Richer?

Ken
Xie

Compare!

Jaime
Xie