Jonathan Nelson

Jonathan Nelson (#1215)

Global Rank #1215

Country Rank #447

Country United States

Jonathan Nelson is listed among the world billionaires tracked by Iconic Billionaires.

$ 4 B
Private equity
United States
M
70 Years

Snapshot

Quick Facts

Global Rank #1,215

Country Rank #447

Net Worth $3.6B

Previous Worth $3.6B

Worth Change +$0.0B

Country United States

Industry Private equity

Age 70 Years

Gender M

Worth As Of May 4, 2026

Residence Providence, Rhode Island

Citizenship United States

World Billionaires List United States Billionaires Private equity

Profile Data

Personal Stats

Age 69

Source Of Wealth Private equity, Self Made

Self Made Score 8

Philanthropy Score 2

Residence Providence, Rhode Island

Citizenship United States

Marital Status Widowed, Remarried

Children 3

Education Bachelor of Arts/Science, Brown University; Master of Business Administration, Harvard University

Net Worth Change +$0.0B +0.0% from previous worth

Previous Net Worth $3.6B

Current Net Worth $3.6B

Worth as of May 4, 2026

About Me

Jonathan Nelson is the executive chairman of Providence Equity Partners, the private equity firm he founded in 1989. Providence has invested in more than 180 companies, many in the media, communications, education and information industries. The firm sold scuba-diving certification company PADI in 2017 for over $700 million, three times its initial investment. In 2021, Providence sextupled its 2007 investment of $300 million in video game developer ZeniMax Media, which Microsoft acquired for $7.5 billion. Nelson serves as a trustee of Rockefeller University and on the board of the Institute for Advanced Study.

Achievements

Forbes List Highlights

A snapshot of the list placements and rankings connected to Jonathan Nelson.

#1189

Billionaires (2026)

Ranked

The Richest Person In Every State (2025)

#388

Forbes 400 (2024)

Insights

Did You Know?

In college, Nelson worked for a commercial radio station where he broadcast the "Jazz After Hours" program.

Nelson serves on the board of directors of the Newport Festival Foundation, which puts on the Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals.

Wealth Growth

Net Worth Growth Over Time

Tracking Jonathan Nelson's net worth journey over the years, highlighting key growth phases and financial milestones.

Worth Trend Net Worth Growth

Period Change Worth Movement

Current Net Worth: $3.6B (May 4, 2026)