Raymond 'Ray' Dalio is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Founder and former Co-Chief Investment Officer (Co-CIO) of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund. Born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, in 1949, his career is rooted in elite finance, trading, and technological disruption.

Dalio holds a B.S. in Finance from Long Island University (C.W. Post) and an MBA from Harvard Business School (HBS) (1973). His philosophical approach centers on systematic macro analysis, diversification (the All Weather portfolio), and radical transparency (the Idea Meritocracy corporate culture). His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the modern global macro hedge fund model.

• Bridgewater Associates (Founder & Former Co-CIO): The core private asset, the world's largest hedge fund (managing over $124 billion in assets), famous for its macro and systematic trading strategies.
• Investment Apex: He successfully predicted and navigated major market events, including the 2008 financial crisis.
• Academic Background: He holds an MBA from HBS and a B.S. in Finance.
• Philanthropy: He and his wife, Barbara, are Giving Pledge signatories and have donated billions to ocean conservation, education, and microfinance.

Ray Dalio's strategic genius was his commitment to systematic, data-driven investing. He founded Bridgewater Associates in 1975 from his two-bedroom apartment in New York City, initially as a consulting firm for commodity price risk. His structural contribution is immense: pioneering systematic global macro trading and developing the famous 'All Weather' portfolio (designed to perform in any economic environment).

His career faced a major crisis in 1982 when he lost almost all of the fund's capital (a failure he credits for teaching him risk management). He stepped down as Co-CIO in 2021 (remaining a mentor and board member) to focus on philanthropy and governance. His wealth is secured by the colossal, long-term, superior returns generated by Bridgewater's macro strategies.

Ray Dalio is a major global philanthropist and a Giving Pledge signatory. His structural social impact is tied to the Bridgewater's role in providing essential risk management services for institutional clients. His Dalio Foundation focuses intensely on ocean conservation, public education, and microfinance (a major structural contributor to environmental and social causes). His structural contribution is tied to his belief in radical transparency and data-driven decision-making (detailed in his book, Principles).

His personal philanthropy supports various community and educational initiatives.

Ray Dalio maintains the professional, composed style of a financial executive. His attire is consistently bespoke, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, typical of a pioneer in the global hedge fund sector.

Residing in Greenwich, Connecticut, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to investment strategy, financial philosophy, and high-impact philanthropy.