Early Life and Education
Marilyn Hawrys Simons was born on January 4, 1951. She earned a B.A. and Ph.D. in economics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. It was at Stony Brook where she met her future husband, Jim Simons.
Rise to Success
Marilyn Simons' wealth originates from her marriage to Jim Simons, the founder of Renaissance Technologies. Jim Simons, a renowned mathematician and codebreaker during the Cold War, established Renaissance Technologies in 1982. The firm is a highly successful quantitative investment management firm that uses mathematical models and statistical analysis to make investment decisions. Jim Simons passed away in May 2024. As of March 2025, Marilyn Simons' net worth is estimated at $31 billion.
Key Business Strategies
Marilyn Simons is primarily known for her philanthropic work. The success of Renaissance Technologies, under the leadership of Jim Simons, stemmed from its unique approach to investing. The firm's quantitative methods, which utilized complex algorithms and statistical analysis, enabled them to achieve significant returns in the financial markets. The firm's flagship Medallion Fund has been noted for its exceptional performance over several decades.
Philanthropy
Marilyn Simons is deeply involved in philanthropy through the Simons Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband in 1994. The foundation focuses on supporting research in mathematics and the basic sciences. The foundation is also a major benefactor of Stony Brook University. Simons also supports other organizations such as the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the East Harlem Scholars Academies. She is also involved with the LearningSpring School. The Simons Foundation has given significant contributions to advance knowledge in a diverse range of fields.
