Thomas Peterffy

Thomas Peterffy

Founder and chairman of Interactive Brokers · Updated 14 Nov 2026

Thomas Peterffy, 82, founded Interactive Brokers and was worth $95.6 billion on Forbes' real-time list on 12 November 2026, 20th in the world 4.

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QUICK FACTS
Born30 September 1944, Budapest, Hungary
Age82 (November 2026)
CitizenshipUnited States
EducationAttended New York University (no degree)
RoleFounder and chairman of Interactive Brokers; CEO until 2019
ChildrenThree
ResidencePalm Beach, Florida
Net worthAbout $95.6 billion (Forbes, 12 November 2026)
01 · Biography

Who is Thomas Peterffy?

Thomas Peterffy is the Hungarian-born founder, chairman and largest shareholder of Interactive Brokers, and an early developer of computerised options trading. Forbes valued him at $95.6 billion on its real-time list on 12 November 2026, 20th in the world 45. He stepped down as chief executive in 2019 and remains chairman 3.

How did Thomas Peterffy make his money?

He wrote trading software before most of Wall Street used computers, then built a market-making and brokerage firm on it. Wikipedia credits him with developing the first electronic trading platform for securities. His wealth is his stake in Interactive Brokers, the online brokerage he founded, and Forbes lists the source as discount brokerage 14.

Early life and education

Tamás Péterffy was born on 30 September 1944 in Budapest, to Mária Péchy and Ferenc Péterffy. He was born in a hospital basement during a Soviet air raid, and his family belonged to an impoverished aristocracy that lost its position after the war. He emigrated to the United States in 1965, worked as an architectural draftsman and became a computer programmer. He attended New York University without graduating 1236.

Interactive Brokers

He founded and chaired Interactive Brokers, which grew from a market-making business into a global electronic brokerage, and served as its chief executive until 2019. He also played a key role in founding the Boston Options Exchange 37. Read Thomas Peterffy’s career.

Thomas Peterffy net worth

Forbes put him at $94.8 billion on 20 October 2026 and $95.6 billion on 12 November, about ₹9.0 lakh crore at ₹94 to the dollar. His fortune was $25.3 billion on Forbes’ 2023 list 458. See Thomas Peterffy net worth and our ranking of the top 50 richest people in the world.

In this profile · 6 pages

Everything about Thomas Peterffy

Net worth1 min$95.6 billion from Interactive Brokers.Read net worth → Biography1 minBudapest birth, a 1965 move to the US and a programmer's route into trading.Read biography → Family1 minThree children and a 1992 divorce.Read family → Companies1 minFounder, chairman and largest shareholder of Interactive Brokers.Read companies → Lifestyle1 minA Palm Beach home and political and charitable giving.Read lifestyle → Timeline1 min1944 birth, 1965 emigration and the 2019 CEO handover.Read timeline →
02 · Timeline

Career timelineCareer at a glance

Full timeline
  1. 1944BORNBorn in Budapest during a Soviet air raid
  2. 1965MILESTONEEmigrates from Hungary to the United States
  3. 1992MILESTONEDivorces Dale McDonald
  4. 2019ROLESteps down as CEO of Interactive Brokers; stays chairman
  5. 2026MILESTONERanked 20th with $95.6 billion
06 · FAQ

Questions people ask

Thomas Peterffy is the Hungarian-born founder and chairman of Interactive Brokers and an early developer of electronic trading.
He was born on 30 September 1944, so he is 82 in November 2026.
About $95.6 billion on Forbes' real-time list on 12 November 2026.
From Interactive Brokers, the electronic brokerage he founded and still chairs.
Sources Last verified 14 Nov 2026
  1. 1Wikipedia, Thomas Peterffy, 1 Jan 1970, Birth, education
  2. 2BillionaireTracker, Real-Time Billionaires List, 12 Nov 2026, Forbes real-time
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