Victor Niederhoffer: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Victor Niederhoffer’s Profile Summary

Company	Self-employed
Position	Victor Niederhoffer is currently a self-employed trader, primarily trading for his own account. After facing significant financial setbacks in 1997, he resumed trading independently in 1998
Source of wealth	Niederhoffer's wealth primarily comes from proprietary trading, management fees from his hedge funds, and book royalties from his works on market speculation.
Also known as	Author, Champion Squash Player, Libertarian Advocate
Age	81
Education	Harvard University - Bachelor’s degree in Economics (Magna Cum Laude), University of Chicago - PhD in Economics and Statistics.
Citizenship	United States
Residence	New York City, United States
Family	Victor Niederhoffer's family includes his wife Susan Cole, their four daughters, and a son from a previous relationship.
Website, Social Media	https://x.com/VicNiederhoffer?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Victor Niederhoffer’s biography

Victor Niederhoffer, born in 1943 in New York City, is a renowned hedge fund manager, author, and former champion squash player. He gained recognition in the financial world for his innovative statistical approaches to trading, especially in futures and options markets. After obtaining a magna cum laude degree in Economics from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in Economics and Statistics from the University of Chicago, Niederhoffer embarked on a successful career in finance. He worked closely with George Soros, managing a part of Soros' capital before establishing his own fund. His initial hedge fund, the Wimbledon Fund, achieved impressive returns but collapsed during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. Following this, Niederhoffer mortgaged his house and sold personal assets to rebuild his trading career. He is also known for his writings, including The Education of a Speculator and Practical Speculation, where he explores market behavior and trading strategies. Additionally, Niederhoffer is a five-time U.S. National Squash champion and has been inducted into the Squash Hall of Fame.

How did Victor Niederhoffer make money?

Victor Niederhoffer makes money in the following areas:

Niederhoffer's wealth primarily comes from proprietary trading, management fees from his hedge funds, and book royalties from his works on market speculation.
What is Victor Niederhoffer net worth?

As of 2025, there is no publicly available and reliable information regarding Victor Niederhoffer’s net worth.

What is Victor Niederhoffer also known as?

Victor Niederhoffer is widely recognized not only for his financial expertise but also for his achievements in other areas. As an author, he has penned notable books such as The Education of a Speculator and Practical Speculation, both of which delve into market speculation and personal reflections on finance. Niederhoffer is also a five-time U.S. National Squash champion, earning him a place in the Squash Hall of Fame. Additionally, he is known for his strong libertarian views and activism, having founded the NYC Junto, a group focused on libertarianism, objectivism, and free-market ideals, which ran from 1985 to 2017.

Prominent achievements of Victor Niederhoffer

Five-time U.S. National Squash champion, co-author of Practical Speculation, founder of NYC Junto, recognized for innovative trading strategies, once managed money for George Soros

What are Victor Niederhoffer’s key insights?

Victor Niederhoffer’s business philosophy is grounded in a contrarian approach, emphasizing the importance of quantitative analysis, historical market patterns, and the scientific method in trading. He advocates for learning from mistakes, focusing on avoiding common pitfalls, and mastering risk to achieve long-term success

Victor Niederhoffer’s personal life

Victor Niederhoffer has six daughters and one son. He is married to Susan Cole, with whom he has four daughters: Rand, Victoria, Artemis, and Kira. Previously, he was married to Gail Niederhoffer, with whom he had two daughters, Galt and Katie. After his separation from Gail, he had a son, Aubrey, with Laurel Kenner, a retired Bloomberg editor

Useful insights

Understanding market forces

In my experience, to truly succeed as an investor, it’s essential to understand the driving forces behind market behavior. Market movements aren’t random—they’re influenced by a range of economic theories and dynamics. The following books provide valuable insights into these forces, offering a deeper understanding of how global financial markets operate and what shapes their trends.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb – "The Black Swan"
- Summary:
  
  Taleb explores the concept of rare, unpredictable events—so-called "Black Swans"—that can have massive impacts on markets and society. These events are often overlooked by traditional risk management models, leading to devastating consequences when they occur. Taleb illustrates how these unpredictable shocks shape our world, often more than gradual, expected changes.
- Why read it:
  
  This book challenges conventional thinking about risk and uncertainty, showing that many major historical and financial events were "Black Swans." It's a vital read for investors who want to build resilience in the face of market volatility.
John Maynard Keynes – "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money"
- Summary:
  
  Keynes revolutionized economics by focusing on total demand within an economy and its effect on output and inflation. His theory suggested that government intervention could stabilize economic cycles through fiscal and monetary policy. The book also explains the consequences of under-consumption and the role of interest rates in managing economic stability.
- Why read it:
  
  For investors interested in macroeconomic trends and policy impacts, Keynes’ work is essential. Understanding the Keynesian framework can help investors predict how government actions might influence market performance.