Jared Isaacman, a high-school dropout and billionaire entrepreneur, made history on Thursday as the first non-professional astronaut to conduct a spacewalk. Known for his passion for flying, Isaacman began taking pilot lessons in 2004 and later set a world record for circumnavigating the globe in a light jet.
With an estimated net worth of $1.9 billion, Isaacman founded the payment processing company Shift4 Payments at the age of 16 in 1999. He financed the Polaris Dawn mission, which launched him and three other crew members aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.
During his historic spacewalk, Isaacman remarked on the beauty of Earth, stating, “From here Earth sure looks like a perfect world.” He emphasized the work that still lies ahead back home, illustrating his commitment to future endeavors.
Polaris Dawn follows Isaacman’s earlier space mission, Inspiration4, which he also financed and led in 2021. That mission marked the first private, all-civilian crew to orbit Earth, launching from Florida and spending three days in space before safely returning to the Atlantic Ocean. Reports indicate that he paid around $200 million to Elon Musk for the seats on the SpaceX vessel.
Originally from Union, New Jersey, Isaacman dropped out of high school at 15, later earning a GED. He launched Shift4 Payments from his parents’ basement, and the company now processes payments for one-third of restaurants and hotels in the U.S., including major brands like Hilton and KFC.
In addition to Shift4, Isaacman founded Draken International in 2011, a defense company that trains Air Force pilots and operates the largest fleet of private military aircraft. He sold a majority stake in Draken to Blackstone in 2019, solidifying his billionaire status.
Described by Forbes as a “thrill seeker,” Isaacman has engaged in a variety of adventurous activities, including flying supersonic MiG jets and climbing mountains. He holds a world speed record for global flight and is known for his belief in making the most out of life.
Isaacman lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters. He and the Polaris Dawn crew are expected to return on Saturday.