Who Is Joshua Kushner? Meet the Billionaire Behind Thrive Capital

Last Updated: August 12, 2026

Who Is Joshua Kushner: Joshua Kushner has long operated in the quieter lane of one of America’s most high-profile families. While his older brother Jared draws constant political headlines, Joshua has built an independent fortune through sharp technology bets and a clear focus on venture capital. At 41, he ranks among the richest members of the Kushner family, with a net worth estimated at around $5.2 billion.

Born on June 12, 1985, in Livingston, New Jersey, Joshua grew up in a Jewish family steeped in real estate. His father, Charles Kushner, built a major development business; his mother is Seryl Kushner. Joshua is the younger brother of Jared Kushner and has two sisters. He graduated from Harvard College in 2008 with a degree in government and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 2011.

Early Life and Path to Entrepreneurship

Joshua showed an early interest in media and startups. At Harvard he helped launch a student pop-culture publication. While still in college he co-founded Vostu, a social gaming company that found success in Brazil. After a brief stint in Goldman Sachs’ private equity group, he returned to business school and, at age 24, launched Thrive Capital in 2009 with modest initial capital.

That decision set the course for everything that followed. Thrive focused on media, internet, and technology companies at a time when many New York investors still lagged Silicon Valley. The firm grew steadily through successive funds, eventually managing roughly $25 billion in assets.

Thrive Capital and Standout Investments

Thrive Capital’s track record includes early or significant stakes in companies that became household names:

  • Instagram
  • Spotify
  • Stripe
  • OpenAI
  • GitHub

The firm has also backed Israeli startups and other high-growth technology plays. In parallel, Joshua co-founded Oscar Health in 2012, a technology-driven health insurance company. He serves as its vice chairman and sits on the board. Oscar went public in 2021 and continues to operate as a notable player in consumer-focused insurance.

Joshua has also held minority ownership in professional sports, including the Miami Heat, and has explored additional sports and media opportunities in recent years. His approach remains consistent: identify transformative technology early, support founders, and stay largely out of the political spotlight that surrounds other family members.

Family Life and Marriage to Karlie Kloss

In 2018 Joshua married supermodel and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss after several years of dating. The couple has three children—two sons born in 2021 and 2023, and a daughter born in September 2025. They maintain homes in New York and Miami. Kloss has pursued her own business and philanthropic work, and the pair have occasionally partnered on media and brand projects.

Despite family connections that include Jared’s marriage to Ivanka Trump, Joshua has generally kept a lower public profile on political matters. He has focused instead on building Thrive and related ventures on their own merits.

Key Facts at a Glance

CategoryDetails
Full NameJoshua Kushner
Date of BirthJune 12, 1985 (Age 41)
BirthplaceLivingston, New Jersey
EducationHarvard College (BA), Harvard Business School (MBA)
Primary CompanyThrive Capital (Founder & Managing Partner)
Other RolesCo-founder & Vice Chairman, Oscar Health
SpouseKarlie Kloss (married 2018)
ChildrenThree
Estimated Net WorthApproximately $5.2 billion
Notable InvestmentsInstagram, Spotify, OpenAI, Stripe

Conclusion

Joshua Kushner represents a different model of success within a well-known family. Rather than leaning on real estate or politics, he built Thrive Capital into a major venture firm through disciplined technology investing. From early bets on social platforms to later positions in artificial intelligence and digital health, his record shows a consistent ability to spot industry-shifting companies.

As of 2026 he continues to manage one of New York’s most influential venture platforms while maintaining a relatively private family life. For anyone following the intersection of tech, finance, and modern entrepreneurship, Joshua Kushner remains a figure worth watching—not because of his last name, but because of the portfolio he has quietly assembled.

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