Cathie Wood Net Worth: Visionary Investor in Disruptive Innovation

Posted on Mar 29, 2025

Cathie Wood has become one of the most talked-about figures in the world of finance due to her bold investment strategies and deep belief in the power of technology. In this article, we'll explore who Cathie Wood is, her net worth, and some details about her personal life, including her late husband.

Who is Cathie Wood?

Cathie Wood is a prominent American investor and the founder, CEO, and chief investment officer of ARK Invest, an investment management firm specializing in disruptive technologies. Born in 1955 in Los Angeles, California, she is the eldest child of Irish immigrants. Wood earned her Bachelor of Science degree in finance and economics from the University of Southern California in 1981, studying under economist Arthur Laffer, who became her mentor.

She began her career as an assistant economist at Capital Group in 1977 and went on to hold significant roles at Jennison Associates and co-founded Tupelo Capital Management. In 2001, she joined AllianceBernstein as CIO of global thematic strategies, managing $5 billion. In 2014, Wood founded ARK Invest after her idea for actively managed ETFs focused on disruptive innovation was deemed too risky by her previous employer. The company is named after the Ark of the Covenant, reflecting her deep Christian faith.

Cathie Wood Net Worth

As of mid-2024, media outlets have reported Cathie Wood's net worth to be between $250 million and $300 million. Her wealth is largely derived from her stake in ARK Invest and the performance of its ETFs, particularly the ARK Innovation ETF, which has experienced both significant gains and losses due to its focus on volatile, cutting-edge sectors.

Cathie Wood Husband

Cathie Wood was previously married to Robert Wood, with whom she had three children. Robert Wood passed away in 2018. Despite the challenges of balancing a high-profile financial career with personal loss, Cathie Wood has continued to lead ARK Invest with vision and determination.

ARK Invest and Cathie Wood's Current Investment Focus

ARK Invest continues to focus on disruptive innovation, investing in sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, DNA sequencing, energy storage, and blockchain technology. Cathie Wood remains a strong advocate for companies like Tesla, Roku, and Coinbase. In 2024, she increased ARK’s exposure to AI and biotech firms, reflecting her belief that innovation will drive exponential growth in the coming decade.

Despite periods of underperformance, Wood remains steadfast in her thesis and often encourages long-term thinking among investors. Her conviction in disruptive innovation is central to ARK Invest's strategy.

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