From College Rapper “Da Vek” to Billionaire: The Surprising Past of Vivek Ramaswamy

Vivek Ramaswamy’s resume is full of random skills that don’t seem to jive with one another, as if someone hit a randomize button during the character creation.

He’s been a semi-professional tennis player, classical pianist, Harvard biology student, Yale-trained lawyer, hedge-fund investor, biotech founder, bestselling author, presidential candidate, and, perhaps most surprisingly, a libertarian rapper named “Da Vek.”

Whether admired or criticized, Vivek Ramaswamy has built a career that stands out.

The Overachiever From Ohio

Born in Cincinnati in 1985, Ramaswamy was raised by Hindu parents who had immigrated to the United States from India. His dad was an engineer and patent lawyer, while his mom was a psychiatrist.

Even though Ramaswamy attended a Roman Catholic Jesuit high school, despite remaining Hindu himself, this unusual combo apparently worked for him. He became the school’s valedictorian, an accomplished pianist, and a nationally ranked tennis player.

For many people, that résumé would have been enough to justify slowing down, but Ramaswamy continued to build his credentials. He studied biology at Harvard and later earned a law degree from Yale, where his circle included JD Vance, who would go on to become vice president.