Sundar Pichai, Alphabet Inc.’s CEO, is on the brink of becoming a billionaire, a rare feat for a tech executive without founding a company. Since taking charge of Google in 2015, Pichai, 51, has overseen remarkable growth, with the stock soaring over 400%, surpassing major market indices like the S&P 500 and Nasdaq.
The recent stellar first-quarter performance, driven by robust growth in the cloud computing division powered by artificial intelligence, propelled Google’s stock to an all-time high. Additionally, the company announced its first dividend, a historic move. The surge in Google’s valuation, along with substantial stock awards, has pushed Pichai’s wealth close to the billion-dollar mark.
Pichai’s journey from humble beginnings in Chennai, India, to Silicon Valley’s upper echelons showcases his determination and talent. Raised in modest conditions, his early fascination with technology, coupled with his father’s profession as an electrical engineer, laid the foundation for his tech career.
Pichai’s academic excellence earned him spots at the prestigious IIT, Stanford University, and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. After joining Google in 2004, he led significant projects like Google Toolbar and Chrome, earning praise for his humility and consensus-building skills.
As a result of Alphabet’s earnings report last week, Pichai has been successful in creating shareholder value through his AI investments.
