NetWorth
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Liew
John Liew
Rank #1927
UNITED STATES•Finance & Investments•investment management

John Liew

Net Worth
$2.139B
0% (24h)
John Liew is a highly accomplished entrepreneur and co-founder of AQR Capital Management, a leading global investment firm specializing in quantitative and systematic investment strategies. Born in 1967/68, he has become a billionaire through his innovative approach to finance. Liew oversees research, portfolio management, and trading initiatives at AQR, demonstrating his significant role in the firm's success. With a PhD in finance from the University of Chicago, he has championed evidence-based strategies in equities, alternatives, and global macro, solidifying his status as a key figure in the financial world.

How to read John Liew's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For John Liew, we anchor the narrative to investment management and investment management, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $2.139B alongside global rank #1927, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life and Education

John Liew was born in 1967 or 1968. Both of his parents were professors, and he was encouraged to pursue a career in academics. He attended the University of Chicago, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He continued his education at the University of Chicago, earning an MBA and a PhD in finance.

Rise to Success

Liew's career began at Trout Trading, where he developed quantitative market-neutral stock-selection strategies. He then joined Goldman Sachs as a portfolio manager in the Asset Management Division, developing and managing quantitative investment strategies. In 1998, Liew co-founded AQR Capital Management with Cliff Asness, David Kabiller, and Robert Krail. This marked a significant step in his career, as AQR became a global investment firm known for its quantitative and systematic investment strategies.

Key Business Strategies

At AQR, Liew plays a pivotal role in research and portfolio management, as well as trading initiatives. The firm specializes in factor-based investing, applying academic financial theories to real-world portfolios. Liew's work has been instrumental in transforming academic finance into large-scale asset management, championing evidence-based strategies. AQR's approach uses a systematic, data-driven methodology, focusing on diversification through various asset classes.

Philanthropy

John Liew created the Liew College Fellows Fund to support undergraduates involved in unpaid research opportunities with the University of Chicago faculty. In 2024, Liew and AQR co-founder Cliff Asness donated $60 million to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to fund scholarships and enhance the Master of Finance program.

Career Timeline

2024

Philanthropic Contribution

Donated $60 million to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to fund scholarships and enhance the Master of Finance program.

1998

Joined AQR

Joined AQR Capital Management as a Founding Principal, overseeing research and portfolio management.

1998

Co-founded AQR Capital Management

Co-founded AQR Capital Management, a global investment firm specializing in quantitative and systematic investment strategies.

Philanthropic Impact

Education$XB

Liew College Fellows Fund

Supports undergraduates with unpaid research opportunities at the University of Chicago.

Education$60M

University of Chicago Donation

Donated to fund scholarships and enhance the Master of Finance program.

Key Business Ventures & Holdings

CompanyStakeValue
AQR Capital Management——

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life and Education

John Liew was born in 1967 or 1968. Both of his parents were professors, and he was encouraged to pursue a career in academics. He attended the University of Chicago, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and was elected a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He continued his education at the University of Chicago, earning an MBA and a PhD in finance.

Rise to Success

Liew's career began at Trout Trading, where he developed quantitative market-neutral stock-selection strategies. He then joined Goldman Sachs as a portfolio manager in the Asset Management Division, developing and managing quantitative investment strategies. In 1998, Liew co-founded AQR Capital Management with Cliff Asness, David Kabiller, and Robert Krail. This marked a significant step in his career, as AQR became a global investment firm known for its quantitative and systematic investment strategies.

Key Business Strategies

At AQR, Liew plays a pivotal role in research and portfolio management, as well as trading initiatives. The firm specializes in factor-based investing, applying academic financial theories to real-world portfolios. Liew's work has been instrumental in transforming academic finance into large-scale asset management, championing evidence-based strategies. AQR's approach uses a systematic, data-driven methodology, focusing on diversification through various asset classes.

Philanthropy

John Liew created the Liew College Fellows Fund to support undergraduates involved in unpaid research opportunities with the University of Chicago faculty. In 2024, Liew and AQR co-founder Cliff Asness donated $60 million to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business to fund scholarships and enhance the Master of Finance program.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for John Liew are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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