Vivek Ganapathy Ramaswamy is an American billionaire businessman, entrepreneur, and former political candidate who rose to national prominence as a Republican presidential contender in 2024 before pivoting to a high-profile gubernatorial run in his home state of Ohio. Born on August 9, 1985, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Indian immigrant parents, Ramaswamy built a fortune in biotechnology and finance before turning his attention to politics and public commentary.

Ramaswamy earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Harvard College in 2007, where he served as president of the Harvard Political Union and was initially drawn to libertarian ideas. He later graduated with a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 2013. Before founding his own ventures, he worked at a hedge fund, gaining experience in the financial sector that would inform his later business career.

In 2014, Ramaswamy founded Roivant Sciences, a biotechnological pharmaceutical company, and served as its chief executive officer until 2021. The company's tenure included the development of the Alzheimer's drug candidate intepirdine, which failed in phase 3 trials—a point later criticized by political opponents during his campaigns. In 2022, he co-founded the investment firm Strive Asset Management. Forbes estimated his net worth at $2.3 billion in September 2026, derived primarily from his biotech and financial businesses.

Ramaswamy described himself as apolitical for a period until 2020, when he supported Donald Trump in that year's presidential election. In 2021, he wrote his first book, Woke Inc., and became a frequent presence on cable networks, arguing against left-wing and "woke" policies. He launched a bid for the 2024 Republican primaries but withdrew and endorsed Donald Trump.

In 2026, Ramaswamy became the Republican nominee in the Ohio gubernatorial election, ultimately losing to Democratic nominee Amy Acton. His campaign drew scrutiny, including an advertisement featuring Acton's estranged mother that provoked criticism from Acton and from fellow Republicans, including Governor Mike DeWine. Throughout his career, Ramaswamy has remained a polarizing and media-savvy figure, transitioning from biotech executive to political candidate and conservative commentator. He is married to Apoorva Tewari.