Andrew Yang’s Net Worth: A Comprehensive Look at His Career and Financial Standing

What is Andrew Yang’s Net Worth?

As of the latest estimates, Andrew Yang’s net worth is approximately $600 thousand. This figure reflects his diverse career path, encompassing entrepreneurship, philanthropy, writing, and a foray into politics. Yang first captured the public’s attention in 2019 as a Democratic candidate for President of the United States. His campaign was built around the concept of Universal Basic Income (UBI), a policy he termed the “Freedom Dividend.” His supporters, who passionately advocated for his ideas, became known as the “Yang Gang.”

Early Life and Education

Andrew M. Yang was born in Schenectady, New York, on January 13, 1975. His upbringing was marked by a blend of academic pursuits and cultural experiences. He grew up in Westchester County, New York, alongside his older brother, Lawrence. His parents, who met at the University of California, Berkeley, had emigrated from Taiwan to the United States in the 1960s. Yang’s childhood included a variety of interests, from playing Dungeons & Dragons to tennis and piano. He experienced bullying in school as one of the few Asian students in his community. Displaying a remarkable aptitude for academics, Yang skipped a grade, which, combined with his relatively small stature, unfortunately made him a target for bullying. At the age of 12, he achieved a score of 1220 out of a possible 1600 on the SAT, which led to his acceptance into Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth, a prestigious summer program for gifted children, where he spent five summers.

Furthering his academic journey, Yang attended the elite Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. During his time there, he was a member of the 1992 U.S. National Debate team, which competed in the world championships in London that year. After graduating from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1992, Yang enrolled at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in economics and political science. He successfully graduated from Brown University in 1996. His pursuit of education continued at Columbia University’s law school, from which he graduated in 1999.

Career Beginnings and Entrepreneurial Ventures

Following his graduation from law school, Yang embarked on his professional journey as a corporate attorney in Manhattan. However, the demanding and unfulfilling nature of the work led him to resign after only five months. In February 2000, he launched Stargiving, a website designed to facilitate charitable fundraising centered around celebrities. Unfortunately, the site became a casualty of the burst of the dot-com bubble. From 2002 to 2005, Yang served as Vice President of a healthcare startup. In 2005, he joined Manhattan Prep, a test preparation company, alongside his friend Zeke Vanderhoek. By 2006, Yang had assumed the role of CEO. Under Yang’s leadership, Manhattan Prep experienced significant growth, expanding from five to 69 locations, primarily focusing on the GMAT. Kaplan, Inc., a leading testing organization, acquired Manhattan Prep in December 2009. Yang departed from his position as CEO of Manhattan Prep in early 2012.

In 2011, Yang established a new nonprofit initiative called Venture for America (VFA), with the mission “to create economic opportunity in American cities by mobilizing the next generation of entrepreneurs and equipping them with the skills and resources they need to create jobs.” VFA recruited top college graduates in the United States and provided them with two-year fellowships at startups in developing cities across the country. This approach aimed to redirect these graduates from traditional corporate roles in major cities. He started VFA with an initial investment of $200,000, training 40 graduates in 2012 and 69 in 2013 in jobs across various cities, including Baltimore, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Detroit, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Philadelphia, and Providence, Rhode Island. In 2014, VFA expanded to include 106 new graduates and added Columbus, Miami, St. Louis, and San Antonio to its program. By 2017, VFA’s presence extended to approximately 20 cities, including Atlanta, Denver, and Nashville. Yang stepped down from his role as CEO of VFA in March 2017 to concentrate on his presidential campaign.

Adding to his diverse portfolio, Andrew Yang is also an author. He has penned several books, including “Smart People Should Build Things: How to Restore Our Culture of Achievement,” “Build a Path for Entrepreneurs,” “Create New Jobs in America,” and “The War on Normal People: The Truth About America’s Disappearing Jobs and Why Universal Basic Income Is Our Future.”

Andrew Yang (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)

Political Aspirations and the 2020 Presidential Run

In 2017, Andrew Yang announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2020 U.S. presidential election. His campaign was notable for its emphasis on innovative solutions to contemporary economic challenges. One of Yang’s most prominent policy proposals was the Freedom Dividend, which would provide every American over the age of 18 with $1,000 per month in universal basic income. Yang’s campaign primarily focused on addressing the rapid advancements in automation, which he argued were leading to significant workforce disruptions and economic instability. His policy platform resonated with a broad audience concerned about the future of work.

Yang’s campaign strategically leveraged the internet for outreach and engagement. It became known for its strong online presence, with The New York Times describing Yang as “The Internet’s Favorite Candidate.” His supporters, informally known as the Yang Gang, actively promoted his campaign across various social media platforms, including Reddit, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. They were instrumental in spreading his message and mobilizing online communities. Yang’s campaign also utilized catchy slogans, including “Humanity First,” “Not Left, Not Right, Forward,” and “Make America Think Harder” (MATH), which helped to define and popularize his political brand.

Throughout his campaign, Yang received endorsements from a diverse range of notable figures. These included Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and SpaceX; Tony Hsieh, the founder of Zappos; actors Donald Glover, Teri Hatcher, and Ken Jeong; and comedian Dave Chappelle. These endorsements added credibility and broadened his appeal. Furthermore, Yang received campaign donations from various individuals, including Twitter co-founder and CEO Jack Dorsey; actors Nicolas Cage and Noah Centineo; Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo; and internet personality Ryan Higa. These contributions supported his campaign efforts and demonstrated the widespread support he garnered.

In an August 2020 interview with CNN, Yang addressed Donald Trump’s attempts to delay the presidential election. He stated that such actions were a distraction from Trump’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yang referenced a statistic indicating that 72% of Americans felt they were living in the worst time of their lives, suggesting that this sentiment did not favor Trump’s chances of reelection.

Personal Life

Andrew Yang married Evelyn Lu in 2011. They have two sons, one of whom is autistic. This aspect of his personal life often informed his political stances and advocacy efforts, particularly regarding issues related to family support and healthcare. Yang is a member of the Reformed Church of New Paltz and identifies as spiritual, acknowledging that his spiritual journey is ongoing. In an interview with The Hill, Yang stated that his favorite president is Theodore Roosevelt and that he is the godfather of Roosevelt’s great-granddaughter, connecting him to American history and tradition.

/**/

Conclusion

Andrew Yang’s journey is a compelling example of the diverse paths one can take in life. From entrepreneurship and law to politics and philanthropy, Yang’s career reflects his commitment to addressing critical societal issues. His advocacy for policies like universal basic income and his innovative approach to political campaigning have made a lasting impact on the American political landscape. While his estimated net worth of $600,000 provides a snapshot of his financial standing, it is just one dimension of his extensive contributions and influence.