May 27 2025 – Legendary iPhone designer Jonathan Ive is on the verge of joining Forbes’ exclusive billionaires’ club, following a major acquisition deal that could significantly boost his net worth in the coming years. OpenAI, the artificial intelligence research lab, recently announced plans to acquire Ive’s AI hardware startup, io, in a deal that values the company at a staggering $6.5 billion.
According to the agreement, which was unveiled last week, OpenAI will acquire io through an all-stock transaction. Ive, who holds an 11% stake in the startup, is expected to receive shares in OpenAI valued at approximately $715 million. However, industry insiders note that these shares will vest over several years, and the transaction is still pending regulatory approvals.
Before launching io last year, Ive spent nearly three decades at Apple, where he was instrumental in shaping the company’s iconic product designs. His tenure at the tech giant was not only marked by creative achievements but also by substantial financial rewards. Beyond his equity in io, Ive owns real estate assets worth around 100million(afteraccountingfordebts)andoperatesadesignfirmnamedLoveFrom,whichgeneratesanestimatedannualrevenueof200 million. Steve Jobs, Apple’s late co-founder, once described Ive as having “more operational power than anyone else at Apple except me.”
While Ive may already be a billionaire, his exact wealth remains a topic of speculation due to the lack of transparency surrounding his compensation during his 27-year career at Apple. Public records from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission briefly disclosed his stock holdings between 2008 and 2011, revealing that he cashed in shares awarded as part of his compensation, netting an estimated $75 million after taxes during that period.
As of now, Ive has declined to comment on the acquisition or its potential impact on his personal fortune. Nevertheless, industry observers are closely watching how this deal will unfold and what it means for the future of both Ive and OpenAI in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
