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Michael Burry 2025 – Net Worth, Portfolio & Predictions

James Harry Clarke Cooper • 2026-07-22 • Reviewed by Ethan Collins

Michael Burry, the hedge fund manager who foresaw the 2008 housing collapse, remains one of the most closely watched investors on Wall Street. In 2025, his net worth is estimated around $300 million, and his portfolio filings reveal large bets on Palantir and Nvidia through put options, alongside long positions in companies like Lululemon and Estée Lauder. This article provides a comprehensive update on his financial status, current holdings, market predictions, and personal life.

Burry first gained fame for his contrarian bet against the subprime mortgage market, a story immortalized in the book and film The Big Short. Today, he manages Scion Asset Management and publishes a Substack newsletter called Cassandra Unchained, where he shares his market analysis. His moves are tracked by thousands of retail investors via quarterly 13F filings.

Understanding Burry’s current stance is valuable because his positions often signal where he sees overvaluation or distress. However, his 13F filings are delayed by 45 days, so they offer a historical snapshot rather than real-time activity.

Who Is Michael Burry and Why Is He Famous?

  • Photo + Full Name + Age: Michael James Burry, born 1971
  • Estimated Net Worth (2025): ~$300 million
  • Current Role: Manager of Scion Asset Management; writer of Cassandra Unchained on Substack
  • Known For: Accurately predicting the 2008 financial crisis and being featured in The Big Short

Key Insights

  • Burry remains a reclusive but influential market commentator through his Substack newsletter.
  • His portfolio is closely tracked by retail investors via 13F filings on platforms like StockCircle.
  • His predictions often generate significant debate on Reddit and Twitter regarding their accuracy.
  • His background as a licensed physician adds a unique layer to his investor profile.
  • He is widely described as a contrarian who looks for mispriced assets and market anomalies.

Snapshot Facts: Michael Burry

Field Details
Full Name Michael James Burry
Born 1971, San Jose, California
Education Medical degree from Vanderbilt University
Known For Predicting 2008 subprime crisis; The Big Short
Current Role Scion Asset Management + Substack newsletter
Net Worth (Est.) ~$300 million
Spouse Not publicly confirmed
Social Media Intermittent presence on X (formerly Twitter); active Substack
Headline Prediction (2025) Large put options on Palantir and Nvidia suggest expected declines

What Is Michael Burry’s Net Worth and Financial Status?

Burry’s net worth is most often estimated at about $300 million, though estimates vary by source and are not disclosed by Burry himself. One source explicitly states he is not officially a billionaire, despite common misconceptions. No verified balance sheet exists, so the figure should be treated as an estimate.

How Michael Burry Makes Money

Burry earns through management fees and performance allocations from Scion Asset Management. He also receives subscription revenue from his Substack newsletter, Cassandra Unchained, and personal investment returns.

Key uncertainty

Net worth figures are based on public filings and media estimates. Burry does not publicly disclose his financial status, so all numbers are approximate.

Scion Asset Management’s Performance

Scion’s performance is not publicly audited. However, the firm’s 13F filings show significant portfolio value swings – from a roughly $56 million equity book in Q2 2025 to a notional exposure of about $1.4 billion in Q3 2025, driven largely by put options. This indicates aggressive hedging or directional bets.

How Much Did He Make from The Big Short?

Burry’s fund, Scion Capital, earned an estimated $700 million in profits during the 2008 crisis, according to widely reported accounts. His personal share was likely substantial, but exact figures have never been disclosed.

What Stocks Is Michael Burry Buying and Selling Now?

The 2025 filings reveal two very different portfolios depending on the quarter. In Q1, Estée Lauder was reportedly the only long stock holding. By Q2, Scion held six securities valued at about $56.3 million, including Lululemon, Bruker, Regeneron, and MercadoLibre. By Q3, the portfolio notional value soared to ~$1.4 billion, dominated by put options on Palantir (66%) and Nvidia (13.5%).

13F Filing Insights

All data comes from mandatory SEC 13F filings, which reflect holdings at the end of each quarter. These filings are delayed by 45 days, so they are not live. Burry may have changed positions significantly since the filing date.

Important disclaimer

13F filings show only long equity positions and listed options. They do not reveal short sales, derivatives beyond listed options, or cash balances. The notional exposure from options may overstate actual risk.

Major Holdings in 2025

  • Palantir (PLTR) – 66% of reported value in Q3 via put options
  • Nvidia (NVDA) – 13.5% of reported value in Q3 via put options
  • Estée Lauder (EL) – long stock holding in Q1 and Q2
  • Lululemon (LULU) – significant long position in Q2 and Q3
  • Alibaba (BABA) – top holding in April 2025
  • Baidu (BIDU) – major position early 2025
  • JD.com (JD) – part of his China exposure
  • Bruker (BRKR) – significant across multiple quarters

For a complete list of Burry’s disclosed trades, see StockCircle Michael Burry portfolio tracking.

What Are Michael Burry’s Predictions for the Market?

Market Crash Predictions

Burry has repeatedly warned about market excesses, including in 2021 and 2022. His Q3 2025 puts on Palantir and Nvidia suggest he expects those stocks to fall. However, his recent calls have had mixed accuracy; for instance, some of his earlier short bets did not play out as expected.

Accuracy of His Calls

Burry’s 2008 prediction was correct and well-documented. But his post-2020 calls have generated more debate. The 45-day filing delay means that by the time his positions are public, the market may have already moved, making it difficult for followers to replicate his strategy.

Tracking his views

Burry shares his current thinking on Cassandra Unchained. Subscribing gives you real-time analysis, unlike the delayed 13F data.

Is Michael Burry Active on Social Media and What Is His Newsletter?

Burry has a sporadic presence on X (formerly Twitter), often deleting his account or pausing activity. His primary communication channel is his Substack, Cassandra Unchained, where he publishes essays on markets, economics, and his investment philosophy. He does not appear to maintain official accounts on Reddit, though his trades are frequently discussed in subreddits like r/wallstreetbets.

What Is Cassandra Unchained?

The name references Cassandra, a figure from Greek mythology who made true prophecies that were not believed. Burry’s Substack includes both free and paid posts. It is his main outlet for current market views and personal commentary.

Who Is Michael Burry’s Wife and What Is His Personal Life Like?

Burry is known for his reclusive lifestyle. He married a woman named Jessica, though public details are scarce. He has children, but their names and ages have not been widely reported. Burry lives in the San Jose, California area and is described as intensely private. He was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome, a fact he mentioned in his book and interviews.

His lifestyle contrasts with the glamour often associated with hedge fund managers. He prefers spending time with family, reading, and writing his Substack.

Key Events in Michael Burry’s Career

  1. 1971: Born in San Jose, California.
  2. 2000: Founds Scion Capital, initially focused on value investing.
  3. 2008: Predicts and profits from the housing market collapse; story featured in The Big Short.
  4. 2010s: Closes Scion Capital and later launches Scion Asset Management in 2013.
  5. 2021: Begins active short bets on market, including against Tesla and other high-flying stocks.
  6. 2023: Launches “Cassandra Unchained” Substack newsletter.
  7. 2025: Current predictions and trades (puts on Palantir, Nvidia) generate widespread media attention.

Sources: Michael Burry Wikipedia and multiple financial outlets.

What Is Certain and Uncertain About Michael Burry?

Established Information Information That Remains Unclear
He accurately predicted the 2008 financial crisis and profited from it. His post-2020 predictions have had mixed accuracy; some calls failed to materialize.
He manages Scion Asset Management and publishes a Substack newsletter. His exact net worth is not publicly confirmed; estimates vary around $300 million.
His 13F filings show concentrated positions and large option bets. Filings are delayed by 45 days, so current positions may differ significantly.
He has a medical degree from Vanderbilt and is a licensed physician. His personal family details (spouse, children) are not fully public.

How Does Burry’s Approach Compare to Other Investors?

Burry is often compared to other famous contrarians like Warren Buffett and George Soros. However, his style is closer to that of a distressed value investor combined with macro hedges. Unlike Buffett, who emphasizes holding quality companies long-term, Burry frequently uses put options to bet against stocks he believes are overvalued. His willingness to make concentrated bets also distinguishes him from more diversified fund managers.

The media portrayal in The Big Short accurately captured his obsessive, data-driven nature, though it dramatized his social quirks. In reality, Burry is known for his calm demeanour and intense focus on numbers.

His Substack has a notable impact on retail investor sentiment; posts can trigger discussion on platforms like Reddit and StockTwits. However, his influence is often debated because his recent track record is less clear than his 2008 triumph.

Where Do These Facts Come From?

The information in this article draws from several authoritative sources:

  • Wikipedia for biographical data.
  • Cassandra Unchained (Substack) for current analysis.
  • StockCircle for portfolio holdings tracking.
  • SEC EDGAR for official 13F filings.
  • DataWallet and Times of India for net worth estimates.

“He is widely described as a contrarian investor who looks for mispriced assets and market anomalies.”

– Multiple financial sources

For further reading on how to interpret such filings, see our guide on Famous investors and their portfolios and How to read 13F filings.

What’s Next for Michael Burry?

Investors will watch for the next 13F filing (expected in May 2025 for Q1) to see if Burry has reduced his put options or shifted into new long positions. His Substack posts will also be closely monitored for fresh predictions or warnings. Burry has not announced any public appearances, but his written analysis continues to attract a dedicated following.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Michael Burry’s educational background?

He is a licensed physician with a medical degree from Vanderbilt University, but he pivoted to investing.

Did Michael Burry really predict the 2008 crisis?

Yes, he was one of the first to identify and profit from the subprime mortgage collapse.

Is Michael Burry currently managing money?

Yes, he manages Scion Asset Management and publishes analysis on Substack.

What does ‘Cassandra Unchained’ mean?

It references Cassandra from Greek mythology, reflecting his often-unheeded warnings about markets.

Is Michael Burry verified on Twitter?

He has left Twitter multiple times; his account status changes frequently.

James Harry Clarke Cooper

About the author

James Harry Clarke Cooper

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.