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PROFILE
Michael Kim
MBK Partners
$9.9B
Real Time Net Worth
as of 6/16/26
Reflects change since 5 pm ET of prior trading day.
From the Editor
Last Updated Apr 13, 2026, 1:01am EDT
- Michael Kim cofounded MBK Partners, the Seoul-based private equity firm that bears his initials and manages more than $33 billion in assets.
- His ING Insurance Korea, which went public in 2017, was the first company wholly owned by a private equity firm to list on the Korean exchange.
- In 2015 his firm's $6.1 billion takeover of Tesco's Korean operation, Homeplus, marked the country's biggest private-equity deal to date.
- Kim was born in South Korea and was educated in the U.S. from preparatory school onward; he obtained U.S. citizenship along the way.
- He is an avid art collector and sits on the board of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Wealth History
HOVER TO REVEAL NET WORTH BY YEAR
Forbes Lists
#2
#346
#130
Personal Stats
- Age
- 62
- Source of Wealth
- Private equity, Self Made
- Residence
- Seoul, South Korea
- Citizenship
- United States
- Marital Status
- Married
- Children
- 2
- Education
- Master of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; Bachelor of Arts/Science, Haverford College
Did you know
In Their Own Words
I always thought the success I've had is due to some talent, yes, hard work, yes, but it's also due to luck. Recognition of that is critical to giving you a sense of reality and it's from that recognition that you get humility.
Michael Kim
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More on Forbes
Jan 14, 2026
Private Equity Billionaire Michael Kim Wins Dispute With Korean Prosecutors Over Arrest Warrant
The decision is the latest development in a nearly year-long fraud investigation into MBK Partners’ handling of Homeplus’ bond issuance just days before a credit downgrade.
Jan 7, 2026
Korean Private Equity Billionaire Michael Kim Faces Arrest Warrant In Fraud Case
Korean prosecutors are investigating whether MBK Partners approved Homeplus’ short-term bonds while anticipating a credit rating downgrade for its portfolio company. MBK has denied the allegations.
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Social Media Sensation Michael Kim Wins The Open De France
Michael Kim secures his second win professionally on a global stage in France.
Apr 14, 2025
Wealth Of Korea’s 50 Richest On Forbes List Falls 14% To US$99 Billion
The collective net worth of Korea’s 50 Richest on the 2025 Forbes list fell to US$99 billion from $115 billion last year.
Apr 14, 2025
Korea’s 50 Richest 2025: Political Turmoil And U.S. Tariffs Take Toll On Wealth
Three newcomers buck the trend, including Kim Jung-soo & Chun In-jang, the couple behind spicy Buldak noodles.
Nov 21, 2024
MBK-Backed Hong Kong Broadband Network Receives Buyout Offer From China Mobile
Hong Kong Broadband Network, whose major shareholders include private equity giant TPG and South Korean billionaire Michael Kim’s MBK Partners, announced Wednesday it is discussing a non-binding takeover bid from Chinese state-owned wireless carrier China Mobile.
Apr 17, 2024
Wealth Of Korea’s 50 Richest On Forbes List Rises To $115 Billion
The collective net worth of Korea’s 50 Richest on the 2024 Forbes list rose slightly to US$115 billion from $106 billion, amid the country’s global chipmaking ambitions.
Apr 17, 2024
Korea’s 50 Richest 2024: AI Frenzy Boosts Combined Wealth To $115 Billion
Fueled by the country’s global chipmaking ambitions, collective wealth rises to $115 billion.
Apr 17, 2023
Wealth Of Korea’s 50 Richest On 2023 Forbes List Falls 18% To Us$106 Billion
Tycoons on the 2023 Forbes list of Korea’s 50 Richest saw their combined wealth fall 18% to US$106 billion, from $130 billion a year ago, impacted by a falling stock market and a weaker won.
Apr 17, 2023
Korea’s 50 Richest 2023: Combined Wealth Falls For The Second Year, Private Equity Billionaire Michael Kim Tops Rankings
A new No. 1 and six newcomers create a churn in the ranks.
Apr 20, 2022
Collective Wealth Of Korea’s 50 Richest On 2022 Forbes List Falls 17%
The combined wealth of the tycoons on the 2022 Forbes list of Korea’s 50 richest declined by 17% to US$130 billion, from $156 billion in 2021.
Apr 20, 2022
Korea’s 50 Richest 2022: Collective Wealth Falls Despite Economic Uptick, Only Eight See Fortunes Rise
After booming in 2021, the combined wealth of the 50 richest declined 17% this year. Merely eight listees saw their net worth increase, led by private equity billionaire Michael Kim—this year’s biggest gainer in both percentage and dollar terms.
Jan 13, 2022
Korean Private Equity Billionaire Michael Kim Sells $1 Billion Stake In MBK Partners
The deal values North Asia-focused MBK, which holds $25.6 billion in assets under management, at almost $9 billion.
Jul 8, 2020
Billionaire Michael Kim Closed His $6.5 Billion Fund Amid The Pandemic—He’s Now Ready To Pounce On Deals
With little fanfare, buyout billionaire Michael Kim closed his largest fund amid the pandemic. He's now ready to make deals.
Oct 3, 2017
Steven Kobre And Michael Kim On Technology, Strategy, Luck And Running A Firm Like A Business
Steven Kobre and Michael Kim discuss the shared goals, values and strategies that helped build the firm into one of the premiere litigation boutiques in the market, today.