Top

Super-rich billionaires who were once poor

Jan Koum: $16.1 billion (£12.6bn)
14 of 20
TOBIAS HASE/Getty

Jan Koum: $16.1 billion (£12.6bn)

When Jan Koum came to the US from Ukraine as a teenager, his family struggled to stay above the poverty line and relied on food stamps to get by.

Despite his tough upbringing, Koum worked hard at school, and in 2009, he co-founded real-time messaging service WhatsApp. The app was so successful that Facebook bought it for a massive $19.6 billion (£15.4bn) in 2014. Today, Koum is worth $16.1 billion (£12.6bn). 

Alice Cattley

12 June 2024

Features

List View
|
Expand View
See more on this topic

Comments

Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature

+ Add Comment

Most Popular
-->

Copyright © lovemoney.com All rights reserved.

 

loveMONEY.com Financial Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) with Firm Reference Number (FRN): 479153.


loveMONEY.com is a company registered in England & Wales (Company Number: 7406028) with its registered address at First Floor Ridgeland House, 15 Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1DY, United Kingdom.


loveMONEY.com Limited operates under the trading name of loveMONEY.com Financial Services Limited.


We operate as a credit broker for consumer credit and do not lend directly.


Our company maintains relationships with various affiliates and lenders, which we may promote within our editorial content in emails and on featured partner pages through affiliate links. Please note, that we may receive commission payments from some of the product and service providers featured on our website. In line with Consumer Duty regulations, we assess our partners to ensure they offer fair value, are transparent, and cater to the needs of all customers, including vulnerable groups. We continuously review our practices to ensure compliance with these standards.


While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy and currency of our editorial content, users should independently verify information with their chosen product or service provider. This can be done by reviewing the product landing page information and the terms and conditions associated with the product. If you are uncertain whether a product is suitable, we strongly recommend seeking advice from a regulated independent financial advisor before applying for the products.