Meet man, world’s 2nd highest-paid CEO, who once faced 400 rejections, now leads Rs 116000000000000 firm, his name is…, he is from…

Nikesh Arora’s journey is an inspiration for those with ambitious dreams. Starting out as a young engineer from India, he became a prominent figure in the technology industry. He currently serves as Chairman and CEO of Palo Alto Networks, a leading cybersecurity firm.

Who is Nikesh Arora?

Nikesh Arora’s birth in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, in 1968, to an Indian Air Force officer, instilled in him a disciplined approach. This upbringing, combined with exposure to diverse environments, developed the global perspective that would later define him as one of Silicon Valley’s most influential leaders.

Educational qualification of Nikesh Arora

After receiving an engineering degree from IIT (BHU), Varanasi, Arora continued his education in the United States. He completed his master’s degree in finance at Boston College and his MBA at Northeastern University, establishing a solid foundation for his international business career.

Nikesh Arora’s career

Nikesh began his career in investment management working with firms such as Fidelity Investments and Putnam Investments. These early experiences honed his financial acumen and opened up opportunities on a global scale. This course of events led him to take an important step towards Google in 2004.

At Google, Nikesh played a pivotal role in the company’s significant revenue growth. He was instrumental in increasing advertising revenue from approximately $2 billion to more than $60 billion. This expansion was driven by the rapid growth of YouTube and mobile internet and cemented his reputation as a growth strategist.

Faced 400 rejections

Nikesh faced 400 job rejections before gaining international recognition, which he credits with building his resilience. His determination ultimately led to success, and by 2024 the Wall Street Journal recognized him as the world’s second-highest-paid CEO, highlighting his remarkable career trajectory.

Nikesh left Google in 2014 to join SoftBank, assuming the roles of president and COO and receiving one of the most significant compensation packages in Japan. He has led Palo Alto Networks since June 2018, positioning the cybersecurity firm as a dominant force in the global technology industry.

Palo Alto Networks grows under Nikesh Arora

During Arora’s tenure, Palo Alto Networks has strategically pivoted to cloud security and AI-driven cyber defense. Through more than ten strategic acquisitions, the company has become a major player in global cybersecurity, providing protection to governments, large corporations, and critical systems around the world.

Under Nikesh’s leadership, Palo Alto Networks’ market capitalization has crossed $130 billion (Rs 11,60,00,00,00,00,000). He was recognized as one of the highest-paid US CEOs in 2023, earning approximately $151 million, and Forbes included him among executives in its billionaires rankings, recognizing his significant financial clout and performance.

Arora became the second highest-paid CEO in the United States, with earnings of approximately $151 million in 2023. Prior to his tenure at Palo Alto Networks, he played a key role in driving the growth of numerous companies including Ola, Snapdeal, Oyo Rooms, Didi Chuxing, Coupang and SoFi. Under his leadership, Palo Alto Networks is committed to protecting governments, businesses and critical digital infrastructure globally.

Nikesh Arora net worth

Nikesh has held board positions at Richemont, Colgate-Palmolive, Bharti Airtel and Uber. As of July 2025, his net worth was approximately $1.5 billion, backed by more than 2.2 million shares of Palo Alto Networks shares and additional holdings in Alphabet, the Wall Street Journal reported.