Ray Dalio Biography
| Full Name | Raymond Thomas Dalio |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1949 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 76 years old |
| Place of Birth | Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Italian-American |
| Education | Long Island University (BS in Finance), Harvard Business School (MBA) |
| Occupation | Investor, Entrepreneur, Author, Philanthropist |
| Known For | Founder of Bridgewater Associates; Author of “Principles” |
| Parents | Father: Marino Dalio (Jazz Musician); Mother: Ann Dalio |
| Siblings | Not publicly known |
| Wife | Barbara Dalio |
| Children | Paul Dalio, Devon Dalio (deceased) |
| Religion | Spiritual; practices Transcendental Meditation |
| Net Worth (2025) | $15.4 billion (estimated) |
| Recent News | In 2025, Ray Dalio warned that the U.S. could face a civil conflict due to national debt and political divisions. He also finalized his exit from Bridgewater Associates. |
| Controversy | Criticized for Bridgewater’s strict corporate culture and for making controversial predictions about economic collapse and civil conflict. |
Raymond Thomas Dalio (born August 8, 1949) is an American investor, hedge fund manager, author, and philanthropist. He is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest and most influential hedge funds. Known for his principles-based philosophy and macroeconomic insights, Dalio has recently warned that rising U.S. debt and severe political divisions could push the country toward internal conflict.
Early Life, Family & Education
Ray Dalio was born and raised in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York. His father, Marino Dalio, was a jazz musician, and his mother, Ann Dalio, was a homemaker. He showed an early interest in markets, working as a caddy in his youth and purchasing his first stock (Northeast Airlines) at age 12 using savings.
He obtained his bachelor’s degree in finance from Long Island University and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1973.
Bridgewater Associates & Career Highlights
In 1975, Ray Dalio founded Bridgewater Associates from a small New York apartment. The firm grew into a major global macro investment powerhouse. Over the decades, Dalio held roles such as CEO, co-chief investment officer, and Chairman.
He is well known for developing Bridgewater’s distinctive culture of radical transparency, idea meritocracy, and systematic decision-making grounded in cause-and-effect learning.
Recent Developments & Warnings
In 2025, Ray Dalio made headlines by warning that deepening U.S. debt and political polarization could drive America toward internal conflict. He described the situation as “tests of power” between opposing sides and cautioned that rising 125% debt-to-GDP could trigger a “debt bomb.”
Ray Dalio has also called for investors to allocate more to gold over U.S. Treasurys, citing concerns that sovereign debt is becoming riskier as deficits escalate. Additionally, in mid-2025, Dalio completed the sale of his remaining stake in Bridgewater, stepping away from board and ownership responsibilities.
Personal Life
Ray Dalio is married to Barbara Dalio. The couple has four sons, including Paul Dalio, a film director. One of his sons, Devon Dalio, passed away in a car accident in 2020. 11
In his later years, Ray Dalio has identified as more spiritual than strictly religious, and he practices transcendental meditation.
Net Worth & Influence
As of late 2024/early 2025, his net worth is estimated at around $15.4 billion. He is recognized globally as one of the most influential voices in macroeconomics, investment strategy, and long-range systemic forecasting.
Ray Dalio Biography Table
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Raymond Thomas Dalio |
| Date of Birth | August 8, 1949 |
| Age (2025) | 76 years |
| Place of Birth | Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity / Descent | Italian-American |
| Education | Long Island University (B.A.), Harvard Business School (MBA) |
| Occupation | Investor, Hedge Fund Manager, Author, Philanthropist |
| Known For | Founding Bridgewater Associates, macro investing principles |
| Spouse | Barbara Dalio |
| Children | Four sons (including Paul Dalio) |
| Net Worth | $15.4 billion (2024–25 est.) |
| Recent Highlights | Sold final Bridgewater stake, warned of U.S. “civil war” risks |
Key Quotes & Perspectives
- “We’re in wars. There is a financial, money war, a technology war … and there are more military wars.” - On U.S. internal conflict risks
- “Whenever things are coming along that I had not seen before … I study history.” - On understanding cycles.
Conclusion
Ray Dalio’s journey from a young stock investor to founding one of the world’s most powerful hedge funds is marked by deep thinking, strong principles, and bold forecasting. His recent calls about U.S. debt and polarization underscore how he continues to view systemic risk not just from markets, but from social and political stressors. As he exits day-to-day control and sells his stake, his voice remains a powerful force in global economic thought.
Ray Dalio FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Who is Ray Dalio?
Ray Dalio is an American billionaire investor, hedge fund manager, author, and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world’s largest hedge funds.
What is Ray Dalio’s real name?
Ray Dalio full name is Raymond Thomas Dalio.
How old is Ray Dalio?
As of 2025, Ray Dalio is 76 years old. He was born on August 8, 1949.
Where was Ray Dalio born?
Ray Dalio was born in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York, United States.
What is Ray Dalio’s nationality and ethnicity?
Ray Dalio is an American citizen of Italian-American descent.
Who are Ray Dalio’s parents?
Ray Dalio father, Marino Dalio, was a jazz musician, and his mother, Ann Dalio, was a homemaker.
Is Ray Dalio married?
Yes. Ray Dalio is married to Barbara Dalio.
Does Ray Dalio have children?
Yes. Ray Dalio has four sons, including Paul Dalio, who is a film director. Sadly, his son Devon Dalio passed away in 2020.
What religion does Ray Dalio practice?
Ray Dalio identifies as spiritual rather than strictly religious and practices transcendental meditation.
What is Ray Dalio’s net worth in 2025?
As of early 2025, Ray Dalio’s net worth is estimated to be around $15.4 billion.
What is Ray Dalio known for?
Ray Dalio is best known for founding Bridgewater Associates and developing the principles-based management philosophy outlined in his book “Principles.”
What recent news is Ray Dalio involved in?
In 2025, Ray Dalio warned that the United States is heading toward a “civil war” due to political divisions and debt concerns. He also sold his remaining stake in Bridgewater Associates.
What controversies has Ray Dalio faced?
Ray Dalio has faced criticism for Bridgewater’s rigid workplace culture, his bold macroeconomic predictions, and recent comments about U.S. instability. However, he remains widely respected for his economic insights.
What books has Ray Dalio written?
Ray Dalio has authored several bestselling books, including “Principles: Life and Work,” “Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order,” and “Principles for Navigating Big Debt Crises.”
What are Ray Dalio’s views on AI and the economy?
Ray Dalio has stated that AI will deeply impact global economics and workforce structures, but he remains optimistic that innovation will create long-term opportunities despite short-term risks.
About the Author
Praise Graciebby is a content creator on The StarProfile, where she writes celebrity biographies, sports updates, gossip, and trending news. With a passion for entertainment and lifestyle journalism, Praise provides readers with simple, accurate, and up-to-date profiles of public figures worldwide.
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