Joshua Kushner, born on June 12, 1985, stands as a prominent figure in American business and venture capitalism, carving out a distinct identity separate from his famous family name. As the founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital, he has established himself as a major force in the technology and investment sectors, while his role as co-founder and vice-chairman of Oscar Health has positioned him at the intersection of healthcare and innovation. As the youngest son of real estate mogul Charles Kushner and the younger brother of Jared Kushner, Joshua has navigated his career with a notably different political and professional trajectory, being widely described as a lifelong Democrat in a family often associated with Republican politics.
Kushner's entrepreneurial journey began early, with his co-founding of Vostu, a social games developer that achieved significant success in the Latin American market during the social gaming boom. However, his most consequential venture came with the establishment of Thrive Capital in 2009, a New York-based venture capital firm that has since become one of the most influential investors in the technology ecosystem. Under his leadership, Thrive Capital has made early-stage investments in numerous high-profile companies, including Instagram, which proved to be a particularly lucrative bet when the platform was acquired by Facebook. His investment acumen and ability to identify emerging trends have earned him a reputation as one of the savvier investors of his generation, with Forbes estimating his net worth at a staggering $16.7 billion as of August 2026.
Beyond his investment activities, Kushner made significant strides in the healthcare sector through his co-founding of Oscar Health in 2012. The company, which sought to revolutionize health insurance through technology and user-friendly design, went public in 2021 and has remained a notable player in the insurtech space. Kushner's vision for Oscar Health reflected his broader interest in applying technological solutions to complex, traditional industries. In a move that captured global attention in August 2026, Kushner partnered with media titan Bob Iger to purchase the Los Angeles Lakers for a record-breaking $12.5 billion, cementing his status as a major player in the world of sports ownership and adding another significant asset to his already impressive portfolio. This acquisition, one of the largest in sports history, underscored his financial power and strategic ambition, placing him at the helm of one of the most iconic franchises in professional basketball.
Kushner's personal life has also drawn considerable media interest, particularly his long-term relationship with model and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss, whom he married in 2018. The couple, who have been viewed as a power pairing across the worlds of fashion, technology, and finance, have welcomed children together and maintain a presence in both New York and Silicon Valley social circles. Throughout his career, Kushner has maintained a lower public profile than his brother, focusing instead on building his business empire and supporting Democratic political causes and candidates through his investments and philanthropy. His ability to build a multibillion-dollar fortune while maintaining a degree of privacy in an era of constant scrutiny speaks to his business discipline and personal discretion. As he continues to expand his ventures, from venture capital to healthcare to sports ownership, Joshua Kushner remains a defining figure in the modern American business landscape, whose influence is likely to grow in the years to come.