Rs 156 Crore A Day: Meet The World’s Highest-Paid CEO

Last Updated:June 12, 2025, 15:35 IST

Palantir CEO Alex Karp earns $6.1 billion annually Rs 156 crore daily, making him the highest-paid CEO globally, with an unconventional lifestyle to match

He meditates in the morning, practises Tai Chi by afternoon, and earns more in a day than most will see in a lifetime. Alex Karp, co-founder and CEO of Palantir Technologies, is not only one of the most eccentric figures in tech, he’s also the highest-paid CEO in the world, raking in a staggering $6.1 billion in 2024 alone.

Daily Earnings Of CEO Alex Karp

Alex Karp, an American entrepreneur and the CEO of Palantir Technologies, earned a record-breaking $6.1 billion (approx. Rs 57,800 crore) in 2024, equating to around Rs 156 crore every single day. This remarkable figure, reported by The New York Times, made Karp the highest-paid CEO globally in 2024, a title he continues to hold into 2025.

His total earnings include a mix of base salary, stock awards, options, and performance incentives.

From Philosophy To Palantir

Born on October 2, 1967, in New York to a doctor and an artist, Alexander Karp was raised in a creatively balanced environment. He studied philosophy at Haverford College, pursued law at Stanford University, and later earned a PhD in philosophy from Frankfurt University.

This diverse academic journey shaped the analytical and philosophical mindset that underpins his success.

The Rise Of Palantir Technologies

Karp co-founded Palantir Technologies in 2003 with Peter Thiel and three others. Named after the ‘palantíri’ stones from The Lord of the Rings, the company specialises in large-scale data analytics.

Palantir’s technology supports government agencies like the US Department of Defense, CIA, and FBI in tracking terrorist threats and uncovering criminal networks. While highly influential, the company has also faced privacy-related controversies.

A CEO Like No Other

Unlike most billionaires, Karp’s lifestyle is unusually low-key. He is unmarried, practises yoga and Tai Chi, and meditates regularly. Known for his quirky humour and introspective interviews, he also hosts wellness sessions for staff.

Despite owning multiple properties—what he calls “cross-country ski huts”—in Alaska, Norway, Vermont, and New Hampshire, Karp keeps a minimal public profile.

Vision For The Future

Karp sees Palantir’s future rooted in the growing fields of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). He believes these technologies hold the key to solving global challenges such as climate change, cyber security threats, and public health crises.

Palantir is now channelling resources into AI-powered solutions to deepen its global footprint.

Eccentric And Outspoken

Known for his offbeat personality, Karp has made headlines for colourful remarks, including a 2025 joke about deploying drones filled with “mildly fentanyl-laced urine” on short-sellers. In the same year, he co-authored The Technological Republic: Hard Power, Soft Belief, and the Future of the West, which became a New York Times bestseller.

Despite his wealth and eccentricities, Karp remains reclusive, often working from a barn in New Hampshire and favouring athletic wear over tailored suits. His complex blend of intellect, vision, and unorthodoxy continues to make him one of the tech world’s most intriguing figures.

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