Raymond Thomas Dalio is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world's largest hedge fund by assets under management. At its peak, Bridgewater managed over $150 billion, though Dalio has since stepped back from management and the firm now manages approximately $97 billion.
Dalio grew up in a middle-class Long Island family, began investing at age 12 when he bought shares of Northeast Airlines for $300, and founded Bridgewater from his two-bedroom apartment in 1975. His flagship Pure Alpha strategy has generated approximately $52 billion in net gains since inception — more than any other hedge fund in history.
Dalio is known for his "Principles" management philosophy, which he published as a bestselling book in 2017. He stepped down as co-CIO in 2022, handing control to a new generation of leadership. Recent years have been mixed — Bridgewater posted a -7.6% loss in 2023 before recovering with strong performance in 2024-2025. His net worth is estimated at $15.4 billion.
SEC 13F filings, LCH Investments Top 20, Institutional Investor, ADV filings
| Year | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Return | -3% | +12% | +15.6% |