Michael Burry is a name that reverberates within the world of finance and investing. Known for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, Burry became an internationally recognized figure for his foresight and remarkable ability to identify risks that others overlooked. In this article, we will delve into the details of Michael Burry net worth, his career trajectory, and how he became one of the most influential investors of our time.
Biography
Michael Burry is an investor regarded as a superstar for his successful prediction of the 2008 financial crisis, which catapulted him to fame and fortune. He is also known for his contrarian approach to investing and for often going against the market consensus. Below, you will find a point-by-point biography table detailing some key highlights of his life and career.
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Michael James Burry |
| Date of Birth | June 19, 1971 |
| Age | 54 years old (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | San Jose, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Investor, Hedge Fund Manager, Founder of Scion Capital |
| Education | Bachelor’s in Economics (University of California, Los Angeles), MD (University of California, Stanford) |
| Career Start | 2000, Founder of Scion Capital |
| Known For | Predicting the 2008 financial crisis, investing in subprime mortgages, and value investing |
| Net Worth | $300 Million to $400 Million (2025 estimate) |
| Investment Strategy | Value Investing, Contrarian, Focus on Undervalued Assets |
| Notable Investments | Subprime mortgage market bet (2008), technology, healthcare, cryptocurrency |
| Publications | “The Big Short” (appears as a key figure in the book and film adaptation) |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Social Media | X/Twitter: @michaeljburry |
Early Life and Background
Michael Burry was born on June 19, 1971, in San Jose, California. From an early age, he showed a marked talent for numbers and analysis. Burry’s love for investing began in his childhood when he took an interest in the stock market. After completing his education at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), he pursued a career in medicine. While many may associate medicine with his main course of action and career works, Burry’s passion for investing, as mentioned earlier, was never so far behind.
His story took a major turn when he left his career in medicine to pursue his passion for finance in full gear. He later studied finance at the University of California, Berkeley, where he developed his skills and began formulating his investment strategies. His experience in medicine gave him a unique ability to analyse data and make calculated decisions, skills that served him well in his career.
The Birth of Scion Capital
Michael Burry’s big break came in 2000 when he founded his hedge fund, Scion Capital. He had a relatively small sum of money to start with, but his investment skills soon became clear. The fund proved to be extraordinarily well-performing to the point of creating large returns for its investors. Scion Capital’s success had a great deal to do with Burry’s talent for researching and spotting inefficiencies in the market.
His strategy focused on value investing, concentrating on undervalued stocks and their long-term growth potential. Over the years, he developed a reputation as a precision investor, often probing financial statements and doing in-depth due diligence before moving on to deals of any kind.
Michael Burry’s Role in Predicting the 2008 Financial Crisis
The moment that defines Michael Burry’s career is from the middle of the 2000s, when he correctly foresaw the destruction of the subprime mortgage market. Burry was one of the few investors who recognized the housing bubble and leveraged his unique insight to make a substantial bet against the mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market. This move significantly boosted Michael Burry net worth and solidified his place in financial history.
Through his hedge fund, Burry purchased several credit default swaps (CDS) on mortgage-backed securities, which were considered highly risky at the time. His decision initially raised some scepticism, but when the housing market crashed in 2008, Burry’s bet paid off. He made himself and his investors a fortune by generating millions of dollars in profits. His actions were later chronicled in the bestselling book The Big Short by Michael Lewis, which was later adapted into a popular film, further cementing the legacy of Michael Burry net worth and his foresight in the financial crisis.
Investment Philosophy
Burry’s investment philosophy is a combination of cautious analysis with calculated risk-taking. He is regarded for his contrarian investments; i.e., investing in stocks that run counter to the market, which everyone sees as an opportunity. Burry has always stressed the importance of conducting thorough research and understanding the fundamental aspects of a company or asset before investing. This approach has played a key role in shaping his career and significantly contributed to Michael Burry net worth.
While many investors are thinking short-term, Burry’s strategy is long-term oriented. His ability to identify market inefficiencies and capitalize on them for profit has been a key factor in his success. Burry’s focus on value investing, where he buys undervalued stocks with the potential for future growth, has made him a standout figure in the world of finance and has contributed to the continued growth of Michael Burry net worth over the years.
How Michael Burry Made His Money
Michael Burry’s wealth is largely a result of his successful investments over the years. His fortune soared during the subprime mortgage crisis when his hedge fund earned substantial profits by betting on the short side of the mortgage market. However, Burry’s fortune is more than this one big win.
He has made successful investments in various sectors, including technology, healthcare, and cryptocurrency. He has also been a proponent of investments in long-term undervalued enterprises. Over time, Burry’s portfolio has diversified, and Michael Burry net worth continues to grow as he continues to make strategic investments.
Michael Burry Net Worth Today
As of 2025, Michael Burry net worth is estimated to be in the range of $300 million to $400 million. While much of his fortune was amassed during the 2008 financial crisis, his astute investments over the years have helped him sustain and grow his wealth. His financial success is also bolstered by his consistent investments in the stock market, real estate, and other ventures.
Burry’s skill in anticipating changes in the market movement and his keen understanding of global economic trends have helped him sustain a solid footing in the financial world. Despite some of his more controversial positions, like his warnings of the present stock market bubble, Burry’s reputation remains high, and he is currently viewed as one of the most insightful investors of his potential.
The Influence of Michael Burry
Michael Burry’s influence runs deep, and only Michael Burry. He has influenced the way many investors approach the markets, particularly with his value investing strategy. His foresight during the 2008 crisis served as a wake-up call to many in the financial industry, and his innovative approach to analyzing market conditions has had a lasting impact on how hedge fund managers, analysts, and even individual investors think about risk and reward. This influence has played a significant role in increasing Michael Burry net worth and solidifying his reputation as one of the most insightful investors of his generation.
Burry is known for a willingness to take unpopular positions, as well. Whether it is placing bets against the housing market or criticizing the Federal Reserve’s policies, or predicting the next market crash, Burry’s contrarian views have made him both a respected and controversial figure in the finance world. His ability to trust his own analysis, even when others disagree, is one of the qualities that has set him apart from many other investors and has contributed to his impressive financial success, adding to Michael Burry net worth.
Michael Burry’s Life After Scion Capital
In 2008, Burry shut down Scion Capital and shifted gears to others. Despite moving on from the hedge fund world, he has remained an active investor, making high-profile investments in different industries. He has also gained headlines with his warnings about the state of the financial markets, including his vocal concerns about the growth of the stock market and the potential for another market crash.
Burry’s life following himself from Scion Capital has been replete with long-term investments and wanting not to be in the center of things. He has continued to manage his wealth through private investments, often avoiding the spotlight while making key decisions that contribute to Michael Burry net worth.
FAQs
How did Michael Burry become wealthy?
Michael Burry became wealthy primarily through his foresight in predicting the 2008 financial crisis. His bet against the mortgage-backed securities market resulted in massive profits, which contributed to his growing wealth. Burry has also made strategic investments in various industries over the years.
What is Michael Burry net worth currently?
As of 2025, Michael Burry net worth is estimated to be around $300 million to $400 million, although this figure may vary depending on his ongoing investments.
What investment strategies does Michael Burry use?
Burry is known for his value investing strategy, focusing on undervalued stocks with long-term growth potential. He is also a contrarian investor, often going against the prevailing market sentiment when he sees an opportunity.
What are some of Michael Burry’s most successful investments?
Burry’s most successful investment was his bet against the subprime mortgage market in 2008, which earned him significant profits. He has also made successful investments in technology, healthcare, and cryptocurrency.
Does Michael Burry still invest today?
Yes, Michael Burry remains an active investor. Although he closed his hedge fund, Scion Capital, in 2008, he continues to make private investments in various sectors.
Why is Michael Burry considered a contrarian investor?
Burry is considered a contrarian investor because he often takes positions that go against popular market sentiment. His ability to spot market inefficiencies and act on them has set him apart from other investors.