Michio Kaku Biography: Age, Net Worth, Wife, Children, Books, Height, Parents, String Field Theory

Michio Kaku is a celebrated American theoretical physicist, bestselling author, futurist, and science communicator known for co-founding string field theory and making complex ideas about the universe, quantum physics, and the future accessible to millions through books, television, radio, and public lectures.

Quick Facts

• Full Name: Michio Kaku
• Stage Name: Michio Kaku
• Born: January 24, 1947
• Age: 79 years old
• Birthplace: San Jose, California, United States
• Nationality: American
• Ethnicity: Japanese-American
• Occupation: Theoretical Physicist, Professor, Author, Futurist, Science Communicator
• Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)
• Religion: Christianity
• Parents: Toshio (George) Kaku and Hideko Kaku
• Siblings: Roy Kaku (older brother)
• Spouse: Shizue Kaku
• Children: Michelle Kaku and Alyson Kaku
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $5 million USD

Early Life and Education

Michio Kaku was born on January 24, 1947, in San Jose, California, United States. He was brought up by his parents, Toshio (George) Kaku, a gardener and trucker, and Hideko Kaku, a maid, in a modest middle-class Japanese-American family that faced significant hardship.

Both parents were second-generation Japanese-Americans (Nisei) who had been interned during World War II at the Tule Lake War Relocation Center, where they met and where his older brother Roy Kaku was born.

As a teenager, he built a particle accelerator in his parents’ garage that earned him a spot at the National Science Fair and caught the attention of physicist Edward Teller, leading to a full scholarship. He has one older brother, Roy Kaku.

Michio graduated summa cum laude and first in his physics class from Harvard University with a B.S. in 1968. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from the University of California, Berkeley in 1972, followed by a lectureship at Princeton University.

His ethnicity is Japanese-American. His religion is Christianity, reflecting the values of resilience, family support, curiosity, and moral courage instilled in many immigrant families who overcame adversity through faith and hard work.

Career

Michio Kaku began his professional path after completing his Ph.D. by holding positions at Princeton and becoming a professor of theoretical physics at the City College of New York (CUNY), where he holds the Henry Semat Chair and has taught for decades.

Bootstrapped through sheer passion and intellect, he co-founded string field theory, advancing Einstein‘s dream of a unified theory of everything.

He has written numerous New York Times bestselling books including Physics of the Impossible, The Future of the Mind, The God Equation, and Quantum Supremacy, hosted radio and television programs, and appeared on major networks explaining science in relatable ways.

Remaining independent in his creative outreach while contributing to academia, he continues to lecture worldwide and inspire aspiring scientists and communicators from middle-class and immigrant backgrounds to turn curiosity and perseverance into groundbreaking contributions and public understanding of the universe.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @michio_kaku
• X/Twitter: @michiokaku

Personal Life

Michio Kaku, 79, maintains a balanced personal life centered on family, intellectual pursuits, and simple joys. His height is 5 ft 6 in (168 cm). He is married to Shizue Kaku and has two daughters, Michelle Kaku and Alyson Kaku.

The family lives in New York City, where he enjoys figure skating as a recreational hobby. He has been married twice and prioritizes time with his wife and daughters while drawing strength from family bonds forged through his parents’ resilience after internment.

Michio values authenticity, lifelong learning, and using humor and wonder to connect people with science.

Net Worth

Michio Kaku‘s net worth is estimated at $5 million USD. His income primarily comes from his long academic career as a professor, royalties and sales from multiple New York Times bestselling books on physics and futurism, public speaking engagements and lectures worldwide, media appearances on television and radio, and science communication projects including documentaries and podcasts.