Henry Samueli, born on September 20, 1954, is an American entrepreneur, engineer, and philanthropist, best known as the co-founder of Broadcom Corporation and the owner of the National Hockey League’s Anaheim Ducks. His life story is one of remarkable achievements and contributions to both the technology industry and his local community in Orange County, California.
An Inspirational Journey from Immigrant Roots to Tech Entrepreneur
Henry Samueli’s beginnings were humble. His parents, Sala and Aron, were Polish-Jewish immigrants who survived the Nazi occupation of Europe and arrived in the United States with almost nothing. Samueli, inspired by his family’s resilience, began his journey by working in his family’s Los Angeles liquor store. His passion for electronics was ignited during a shop class at Bancroft Junior High School when he built an AM/FM radio.
Samueli’s academic pursuits led him to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering. His dedication to this field was evident from his Ph.D. dissertation, titled “Nonperiodic forced overflow oscillations in digital filters,” advised by Alan N. Willson Jr.
Henry Samueli: Broadcom Origins
In 1991, while still a professor at UCLA, Samueli co-founded Broadcom Corporation with his Ph.D. student, Henry Nicholas. They embarked on this venture with a modest investment of $5,000 each, initially working out of Nicholas’ home. Their hard work paid off when they rented their first office near the UCLA campus and later moved to Irvine, California, where Samueli took a leave of absence from UCLA to focus on Broadcom full-time.
Three years later, Broadcom went public, marking the beginning of a successful tech journey. Samueli, though on leave from UCLA, continues to be associated with the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department faculty roster.
Philanthropy and Community Impact: The Samueli Foundation’s Legacy
Henry Samueli’s influence extends beyond the tech industry. After Broadcom’s public offering in 1998, the Samueli Foundation was established, focusing its philanthropic efforts on education, health, youth services, and Jewish culture and values. In 2012, the Samuelis joined the Giving Pledge, an initiative championed by Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates.
One of the early beneficiaries of their philanthropy was the UCLA School of Engineering and Applied Science, which was renamed the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. The UC Irvine School of Engineering received a similar honor, and both institutions continue to carry his name.
The Samuelis are also committed to fostering interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). They established the Broadcom Foundation, which sponsors programs like Broadcom MASTERS to inspire middle school students to pursue STEM education.
Furthermore, Susan Samueli’s passion for complementary and alternative medicine and integrative health led to the establishment of the Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine at UC Irvine. In 2017, the Samuelis made a groundbreaking $200 million gift to UC Irvine, creating the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, a pioneering institution in interdisciplinary integrative health.
The couple’s philanthropic endeavors extend to various sectors, including culture, education, and community welfare. These include the Samueli Theater, the Samueli Jewish Campus, the Sala and Aron Samueli Holocaust Memorial Library, the Samueli Academy, and many more.
Henry Samueli’s life has been a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of giving back. His journey from immigrant roots to becoming a tech entrepreneur and philanthropist serves as an inspiration for individuals and communities alike.
In summary, Henry Samueli’s life and career, as examined by zatrun.com, are a remarkable example of achieving the American dream through hard work, innovation, and a commitment to giving back to the community. His legacy, both in the tech industry and through the Samueli Foundation’s philanthropic contributions, continues to impact and inspire others.
