Who is Elizabeth Holmes’ ex, Ramesh ‘Sunny’ Balwani? Meet the disgraced Theranos CEO’s boyfriend of 12 years, the former Microsoft sales manager turned COO who’s about to go on trial

Feb 23 , 2022

Meet Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, the man who once had Elizabeth Holmes’ heart. Photos: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images, @MalpracticeLaw1/Twitter

During her trial, Holmes claimed her former Theranos business partner verbally and sexually abused her, but Balwani’s lawyer denied these allegations

Balwani joined Theranos as president in 2009, then became COO, and made strategic decisions for the organisation despite having no medical background

Her story gripped the world, creating a cult following for the young woman who tricked Silicon Valley into believing her idea that a single drop of blood could be used to conduct multiple health checks and tests. Except it didn’t, and never could.

On January 3, a Palo Alto jury found Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, guilty on four of 11 charges.

Elizabeth Holmes at a Walgreens with the Theranos team. Photo: @thatshitispoison/Instagram

But what of the trial of Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani, the man by Holmes’ side for much of Theranos’ running? Not only were they business partners, but the couple spent over a decade together in a romantic relationship. According to CNBC, Balwani’s trial has been delayed because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but is expected to start in March.

Here’s what you need to know about the man who ruled Holmes’ heart for years.

Who is Ramesh “Sunny” Balwani?

Ramesh Balwani was born in Pakistan but later emigrated to the US with his family. Photo: thefamouspeople.com

Born in 1965 in Pakistan to a Sindhi Hindu family who later emigrated to the US, Ramesh Balwani studied information systems at the University of Texas, reports The New York Times. He is notoriously private and the story of how the so-called “dot-com guy”, as he was known, became “Sunny” is not public knowledge. Court records show he was married to a Japanese artist who filed for divorce in 2002.

His big career win

Ramesh Balwani began his career working for Microsoft. Photo: @FilmUpdates/Twitter

The New York Times reports that Balwani started his career in software as a sales manager for Microsoft. In 1999, he joined a start-up, CommerceBid.com, as president. The National reports the company built platforms that allowed businesses to have suppliers compete against each other so that costs could be reduced. Before it turned one, it was bought for US$225 million. After the financial collapse, the company went bang and was worth very little. According to The New York Times, Balwani made it out with around US$40 million.