Henry Nicholas Net Worth: $10 Billion
Category: Richest Business › Richest Billionaires
Net Worth: $10 Billion
Birthdate: 1959 (65 years old)
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
Gender: Male
Profession: Entrepreneur, Businessperson
Nationality: United States of America
What is Henry Nicholas’ Net Worth?
Henry Nicholas is an American businessman and entrepreneur with a net worth of $10 billion. He co-founded Broadcom Corporation and served as its former co-chairman, President, and CEO. Beyond his corporate success, Nicholas is a philanthropist and a leading advocate for victims’ rights.
Early Life
Henry Thompson Nicholas III was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. After his parents divorced, he moved with his mother to Santa Monica, California. He attended the U.S. Air Force Academy but left after three years when it became clear that his height (6 foot 6) would prevent him from becoming a pilot. Nicholas later attended UCLA, earning a degree in Electrical Engineering, followed by an MS and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the same institution.
Broadcom
Nicholas began his career at TRW, where he met Dr. Henry Samueli, his future business partner. He later worked at PairGen Technologies before co-founding Broadcom Corporation with Samueli in 1991. The two invested $5,000 each to start the company, which quickly grew into a semiconductor powerhouse. Broadcom reached $1 billion in revenue faster than any other US semiconductor company in history. The company went public in 1998, and by 2011, its revenues had reached $7.4 billion. In 2016, Broadcom was acquired by Avago Technologies for $37 billion.
Philanthropy
Henry Nicholas has engaged in extensive philanthropic efforts through the Henry T. Nicholas, III Foundation, supporting education, youth sports, technology, and victims’ rights. He was instrumental in passing Marsy’s Law, enhancing legal rights and protections for crime victims. His philanthropic initiatives continue to have a significant impact on numerous individuals and communities.
Personal Life
Nicholas married Stacey in 1987, and they had three children together. They divorced after Stacey caught him cheating with a prostitute. Nicholas owns at least two private jets, a 1999 Cessna C550 Citation and a 1993 Gulfstream IV.
Controversies
2008 Indictment
In 2008, Nicholas was indicted on charges of securities fraud and drug distribution. He pleaded not guilty, and the case was dismissed in 2010 due to prosecutorial misconduct.
Mansion Allegations
Nicholas spent over $30 million renovating his Southern California house, which allegedly included a private sex dungeon. The so-called “Ponderosa” featured a secret passageway, parlor, sports bar, gym, recording studio, and a six-person Jacuzzi. He later moved his activities to a nearby warehouse.
Las Vegas Arrest
In August 2018, Nicholas and a female companion were arrested in Las Vegas after hotel security found an unresponsive woman in their room with a suitcase full of drugs, including MDMA, meth, cocaine, and heroin. Nicholas entered an Alford plea to two counts of drug possession in July 2019, maintaining his innocence but acknowledging sufficient evidence for conviction. Drug trafficking charges were dropped, and Nicholas agreed to attend drug counseling, perform community service, and donate $500,000 to a drug treatment center.
