Billionaire Couple's Philanthropy Ramps Up with Major Gifts

John Tu and Mary Tu's foundation sees a surge in donations after years of modest giving.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 5:51pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of premium computer memory and storage devices arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the wealth and corporate strategy of a tech billionaire couple.A billionaire couple's growing philanthropy signals a shift in how they deploy their tech-fueled wealth for public good.Irvine Today

Despite a nearly $60 billion fortune, tech billionaire John Tu and his wife Mary have had a limited philanthropic record until recently. However, a series of major donations from Mary Tu to institutions like UC Berkeley and Torrance Memorial Medical Center suggest the couple may be ramping up their charitable giving.

Why it matters

The Tus' growing philanthropy is notable given the size of their wealth, which exceeds the combined endowments of the Ford, Mellon, and Rockefeller foundations. Their giving patterns and priorities provide insight into how ultra-high-net-worth individuals choose to deploy their resources for public good.

The details

John Tu and his business partner David Sun co-founded Kingston Technology, a computer memory and storage company, and grew it into a multi-billion dollar enterprise. While Tu's personal net worth is estimated at nearly $60 billion, his philanthropic record has been relatively modest until the last few years. The John and Mary Tu Foundation, their main charitable vehicle, has averaged just $5.7 million in annual grants in recent years. However, Mary Tu has recently made several high-profile donations, including $10.5 million to UC Berkeley and $21.8 million to Torrance Memorial Medical Center. The couple has historically focused their giving on education and the arts in California, but have also supported journalism initiatives like saving an Iowa newspaper.

  • In 2011, the Tus gave a $1.2 million grant to provide iPads to first-year medical students at UC Irvine.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the couple donated $2.5 million to UC Irvine and $1 million to UC San Diego.
  • In 2023, they awarded $1 million to the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California.
  • In March 2025, Mary Tu donated $10.5 million to UC Berkeley to endow academic chairs and support the dance program.
  • In December 2024, Mary Tu announced a $21.8 million donation to Torrance Memorial Medical Center during the hospital's annual holiday gala.

The players

John Tu

An 84-year-old tech billionaire who co-founded Kingston Technology, a computer memory and storage company. He is estimated to be worth nearly $60 billion.

Mary Tu

The wife of John Tu who has been responsible for the couple's recent high-profile philanthropic donations, including gifts to UC Berkeley and Torrance Memorial Medical Center.

David Sun

John Tu's business partner who co-founded Kingston Technology. Sun and his wife Diana recently committed $100 million through their foundation to Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian.

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What they’re saying

“I say it's not how much money you have but what you do with that money.”

— John Tu

What’s next

The Tus' children, about whom little is known publicly, may play a larger role in the couple's philanthropic legacy going forward. Additionally, any future sale or liquidity event for Kingston Technology could unlock more resources for the Tus to deploy charitably.

The takeaway

The Tus' growing philanthropic giving, particularly from Mary Tu, suggests that the couple may be ramping up their charitable efforts after years of relatively modest grantmaking. Their priorities and approach provide insights into how ultra-high-net-worth individuals can leverage their wealth to support causes and communities.