Sunny Varkey, one of the wealthiest Indians in Dubai, is the founder and executive chairman of GEMS Education, the world’s largest private K-12 school network. His entrepreneurial journey started early—at just 11, he sold fruits on the streets, shaping his business mindset.
A New Luxury School in Dubai
GEMS Education is launching the Gulf’s most expensive private school in the UAE this year. With a $100 million investment, the GEMS School of Research and Innovation will open in Dubai Sports City, setting new standards in tuition fees.
Early Life and Family
Born on April 9, 1957, in Kerala, India, Sunny Varkey was raised in a family of educators. His parents, Mariama and KS Varkey, moved to Dubai in 1959 and established Our Own English High School in 1968.
He studied at Infant Jesus Anglo-Indian Boys School and St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Dubai before completing his A-levels in the UK. His career began at Standard Chartered Bank before he ventured into trading, hospitality, and healthcare.
Growth of GEMS Education
In 2000, he founded Global Education Management Systems (GEMS) to expand his family’s educational ventures. GEMS provides various curricula, including CBSE, ICSE, IB, British, and American programs.
Sunny Varkey continues as executive chairman, with his elder son, Dino Varkey, as CEO and younger son, Jay Varkey, as an executive director and board member.
High-End Facilities and Fees
The upcoming GEMS School of Research and Innovation will offer top-tier amenities like a 600-seat auditorium, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, robotics and science labs, and AR/VR learning centers.
Annual fees start at Rs 27.27 lakh (AED 116,000) in the early years and can reach Rs 48.43 lakh (AED 206,000) for senior students.
Global Comparison of Elite Schools
Though expensive, some global institutions charge even higher fees. Institut auf dem Rosenberg in Switzerland costs around Rs 1.52 crore ($176,000) annually, Woodside Priory School in California charges Rs 77.75 lakh ($90,000), and Eton College in the UK costs Rs 22.24 lakh (£21,099) per year.
Expanding Global Reach
By 2003, GEMS opened its first school in England, followed by India in 2004. Today, it operates over 80 schools worldwide. As of January 2025, Forbes estimates Sunny Varkey’s net worth at $3.8 billion.
