Hamdi Ulukaya

Hamdi Ulukaya

Hamdi Ulukaya (#232)

You cannot do everything alone--especially when you get to a certain level. It is impossible.

  • $ 13 B
  • Greek yogurt
  • Turkey
  • M
  • 53 Years

About Me

Hamdi Ulukaya, known as the yogurt king, is the founder of America's most popular Greek yogurt brand, Chobani. Ulukaya grew up in a Kurdish dairy-farming family in Turkey and raised sheep. He eventually left to study political science at Ankara University. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1994 to study English in upstate New York, an area that reminded him of the small farming villages in Eastern Turkey. With a loan from the Small Business Administration, he bought an old yogurt plant there in 2005 and developed a recipe inspired by his heritage. He started selling his yogurt in 2007; in 2023, Chobani pulled in more than $2 billion in sales.
About Images

Achievements

Career Highlights

A snapshot of the defining milestones, leadership decisions, and breakthroughs that shaped Hamdi Ulukaya’s rise and global influence.

  • #219   Billionaires (2026)
  •   Global Game Changers (2017)

Wealth Growth

Net Worth Growth Over Time

Tracking Hamdi Ulukaya’s net worth journey over the years, highlighting key growth phases and financial milestones.

Current Net Worth: $13.1B (May 4, 2026)