Mystery: Susan Ocampo tops Filipino-American rich list — still no one knows what she looks like

She sits on the board of Macom, a semiconductor supplier. She has an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion, as per Forbes. 

Meet Susan M. Ocampo, the stealthiest billionaire you've never seen.

The richest Filipino-American on record has no Instagram, no Facebook, no LinkedIn, no YouTube — not even a blurry photo at a ribbon-cutting.

In a world obsessed with selfies and status updates, she’s the ultimate ghost.

No posts, no hashtags, no “here’s my private jet lunch.”

Queen of quiet

Just silence… and billions.

Got a pic of her? We’ll believe it when we see it. Until then, Susan remains the Queen of Quiet, living proof that you can be wildly successful and still leave the Internet on read.

That hasn’t stopped this elusive tech queen from making waves — and billions. Forbes lists her among the richest self-made women in America, with an estimated net worth of $2.3 billion as of June 2025.

Susan, 67, sits on the board of Macom Technology Solutions, a $10.4 billion chipmaker where she’s also a major shareholder (since 2016).

But even they don’t have a photo or video of her on file. 

Her rise from humble beginnings to the top of the ultra-competitive semiconductor world is the stuff of legend — equal parts hustle, genius, and invisibility cloak. 

She’s proof that you don’t need selfies to be a Silicon Valley icon.

The story of Susan, a mother of three, is rooted in the Filipino immigrant experience. 

Immigrant ethos

Her family settled first in Pacifica, California, before moving to San Jose — an area that would later become the heart of Silicon Valley. 

This environment, rich with innovation and opportunity, played a crucial role in shaping her future. 

While details of her early education are less publicised, her partnership with her late husband, John Ocampo, would become central to both her personal and professional life.

Education and early influences

Susan met John Ocampo during spring break in 1978, and their shared drive and complementary skills laid the groundwork for their future ventures together. 

John, who earned his degree in electrical engineering from Santa Clara University (SCU) on a full scholarship, was encouraged by his mother to pursue engineering rather than accounting, fostering a spirit of innovation and risk-taking that Susan shared. 

The couple married in 1982, embarking on both a family and a business journey that would span decades.

In 1984, Susan and John co-founded Sirenza Microdevices, a semiconductor and components supplier, at a time when Silicon Valley was beginning its ascent as the world’s technology. 

Susan played a pivotal role as Chief Financial Officer for 15 years, and later as treasurer, steering the company through rapid growth, a successful IPO in 2000, and its eventual sale to RF Microdevices (now Qorvo) in 2007. 

Her financial stewardship and operational expertise were instrumental in Sirenza’s rise, setting the stage for their next ventures.

Following the sale, Susan and John launched GaAs Labs in 2008, a private investment firm focused on high-tech opportunities in the communications semiconductor market. 

Susan currently serves as vice president, secretary, and treasurer of GaAs Labs, continuing to shape the direction of the company’s investments and strategy. John died in November 2023.

Here's an old interview of John.

Susan's most significant financial achievement comes from her role as the largest individual shareholder and board member of Macom Technology Solutions, a Nasdaq-listed semiconductor firm, with a market capitalisation of $10.40 billion. 

She owns approximately 15–16% of the company, a stake that forms the foundation of her billionaire status. 

Under her and John’s leadership, Macom went public in 2012, cementing their legacy in the global semiconductor industry.

Beyond business, Susan and John Ocampo have been generous philanthropists, donating $25 million to enhance STEM education at Santa Clara University, reflecting their commitment to giving back and supporting future innovators.

Now based in Honolulu, Hawaii, Susan continues to inspire as a self-made leader and a role model for Filipino-Americans and women in technology.

In 2025, Susan ranked 18th on Forbes’ list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women, celebrated for her entrepreneurial grit and lasting impact in the tech world. 

Her journey from the daughter of immigrants to a billionaire businesswoman exemplifies the power of vision, perseverance, and partnership in achieving the American dream.

John and Susan Ocampo have made significant philanthropic contributions, most notably their $25 million donation to Santa Clara University to advance STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education. 

This contribution builds on their longstanding support for the university, which began nearly two decades ago with an initial donation of $1.3 million which helped establish the Center for Nanostructures in the School of Engineering, as well as support for the university’s Thermal and Electrical Nanoscale Transport (TENT) project.

The Ocampos expressed that their philanthropy is intended to inspire future generations of innovators and leaders in technology, continuing their legacy of advancing semiconductor technology and education.