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Billionaire Profile
John Tu
Global Rank
#141

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

John Tu

CEO, Kingston Technology Corporation
US
Real-Time Net Worth
$17.3B
As of December 2025
Age
84
Source
Computer hardware
Industry
technology
Citizenship
US

Biography

John Tu is a Chinese-American billionaire businessman and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of Kingston Technology, a leading computer memory products company. Born in Chongqing, China, in 1941, Tu's career began in Germany, where he studied electrical engineering. He immigrated to the U.S. and, with David Sun, co-founded Camintonn Corporation in 1982. After selling Camintonn, they founded Kingston Technology in 1987, which grew into a global leader in the computer hardware industry, with a net worth estimated at $17.3 billion. Throughout his career, Tu has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and quality, and has also engaged in various philanthropic activities.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

John Tu was born in Chongqing, China, in 1941. His family moved to Shanghai in 1945 and later to Taiwan in 1947. In 1960, he moved to West Germany to study electrical engineering at the Technische Hochschule Darmstadt, graduating in 1970.

Rise to Success

After graduating, Tu worked for Motorola in Germany before immigrating to the United States in 1971. In 1982, he co-founded Camintonn Corporation with David Sun, which manufactured computer parts. They sold the company in 1986 for $6 million. In 1987, Tu and Sun founded Kingston Technology to address a shortage of memory chips, starting with a single memory module. They sold 80% of Kingston to Softbank in 1996 for $1.5 billion but bought it back in 1999 for $450 million. Kingston has since grown to become a world leader in memory products.

Key Business Strategies

Kingston Technology's success stems from a focus on quality, customer service, and innovation. The company's ability to adapt to industry needs, such as the demand for SSDs, has been crucial. They have also maintained a strong company culture focused on respect and employee well-being.

Philanthropy

John Tu is known for his philanthropy. He has supported the Freedom Writers Foundation, donated to UC Irvine to supply iPads to medical students, and contributed to the Bowers Museum.

Career Milestones

1982

Co-founded Camintonn

Co-founded Camintonn Corporation with David Sun, a computer hardware company.

1986

Sold Camintonn

Sold Camintonn for $6 million and founded Kingston Technology.

1987

Founded Kingston Technology

Co-founded Kingston Technology with David Sun, focusing on memory modules.

1996

Sold 80% of Kingston to Softbank

Sold 80% of Kingston to Softbank for $1.5 billion.

1999

Bought Back Kingston

Bought back 80% stake of Kingston from Softbank for $450 million.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Freedom Writers Foundation

Hundreds of thousands

Main contributor to the Freedom Writers Foundation.

Education

UC Irvine

$1.2M

Donated to give every first-year medical student at UC Irvine an iPad.

Arts

Bowers Museum

$1M

The John and Mary Tu Foundation donated $1 million to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Notable Quotes

"“I often tell people, you know, I think in one's lifetime if you have just touched someone, one person, and made a difference, then I think you are already very, very, successful.”"

Leadership Principles

Respect

One of Kingston's core tenets, guiding relationships with customers, partners, and vendors.

Loyalty

Another core tenet, fostering a strong company culture.

Flexibility

Essential for adapting to industry changes and customer needs.

Integrity

A core tenet that contributes to the company's success.