Henk Rogers' net worth: from Tetris to a multimillion-dollar empire
Henk Rogers' net worth, estimated in millions, reflects more than just financial success as it embodies his transformative influence across gaming, business, and environmental advocacy. From securing the rights to Tetris to championing renewable energy initiatives, Rogers has consistently leveraged his wealth and expertise for global betterment.
I firmly believe that a successful person should use their time, talent and money to fix something that is broken about the world. Today I only spend time on things that are important to me.
Source: Facebook
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Henk built his financial empire through involvement in the video game industry.
- Rogers helped promote Tetris to a global sensational.
- Henk is deeply involved in philanthropy, focusing on renewable energy and sustainability.
Henk Rogers' profile summary
| Full name | Henk Brouwer Rogers |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | December 24, 1953 |
| Age | 71 years (as of March 2025) |
| Place of birth | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Current residence | Hawaii, United States |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Ethnicity | Mixed |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches |
| Weight | 85 kg (approx) |
| Siblings | Eddy Rogers |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Wife | Akemi Rogers |
| Children | Maya Rogers-Kiyomura, Julie Rogers, Leonard Rogers and Michael Rogers |
| Education | Stuyvesant High School, University of Hawaii |
| Profession | Video game designer and entrepreneur |
Henk Rogers' net worth and career earnings
According to CAknowledge, Henk Rogers' estimated worth is $22 million. He derived his vast wealth from his video game industry.
Henk explained how he grew up loving puzzles, hence his love for video games. He said,
I played with Lego a lot as a child and enjoyed that you had to use your imagination to build something, kind of like Tetris.
I was always a gamer, and I would still be a coder if I didn’t have to run my various companies.
Source: Original
The Black Onyx
Henk Rogers gained recognition by developing The Black Onyx, one of Japan's first successful role-playing games. The Black Onyx sold over 150,000 copies and influenced major franchises like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy. In 1984, he co-founded Bullet-Proof Software, a game development company.
The Tetris Company
In 1996, Rogers founded Tetris Company with the game's creator, Alexey Pajitnov, to manage the game's licensing. Henk serves as the company's president.
Blue Lava Wireless
Henk Rogers founded Blue Lava Wireless in 2002 in Hawaii. The company focused on developing and publishing mobile games, with its first major release being Tetris for Sprint's PCS Vision service in August 2002.
Blue Lava Wireless quickly became a leader in the mobile gaming industry, achieving milestones like earning over $1 million in revenue within its first 16 months of operation. In 2005, he sold the mobile game publishing company for $137 million.
Source: Getty Images
Exploring Henk Rogers' houses and properties
Henk reportedly owns two homes in Hawaii: one in Honolulu and another on the Big Island. His Honolulu home, located on Tantalus, is a multigenerational residence accommodating seven family members from three generations.
The house features modern conveniences, including energy-efficient appliances and solar panels, with Blue Ion batteries storing energy in the garage to keep it off the grid.
Henk's Big Island ranch, Puu Waawaa, is a laboratory for his renewable energy ventures. The ranch is entirely off-grid, powered by solar energy and Blue Ion batteries.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Henk Rogers, a rich video gamer, designer and entrepreneur:
What happened to Henk Rogers?
After selling a huge portion of his stake in the Tetris Company for $130 million, Rogers suffered a life-threatening heart attack in 2005. During a 2025 interview, the Dutch-born video developer explained how this life-altering moment made him realise his mission of fighting climate change through renewable energy. Henk said,
I decided I was going to find my mission in life, and the first mission came to me in the back of a newspaper. So mission number one is to end the use of carbon-based fuel.
Source: Facebook
How did Henk Rogers get Tetris?
Henk Rogers secured the rights to Tetris through negotiations during the late 1980s. After discovering the game at the 1988 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Rogers acquired Japanese distribution rights for console versions through Spectrum Holobyte.
However, he soon realised that his agreement was not fully valid. To resolve this, Rogers travelled to Moscow in 1989 and negotiated with its officials, securing exclusive rights for handheld devices. He later licensed to Nintendo for their Game Boy system.
While in Moscow, Rogers met Alexey Pajitnov, Tetris' creator, and formed a strong partnership. In 1996, they co-founded The Tetris Company to manage worldwide licensing and protect the brand.
Source: Getty Images
How much money did Tetris make?
Tetris has generated over $1 billion in total revenue since its inception. The game's vast net worth accounts for its success across multiple platforms, including its massive popularity on over 50 platforms. The game has sold over 520 million copies worldwide, with over 615 million mobile downloads.
How much is the creator of Tetris worth?
According to The Cinemaholic, Alexey Pajitnov's net worth is around $20 million. His wealth primarily stems from the royalties and profits generated by Tetris since he regained the rights in the mid-1990s.
Henk Rogers' net worth has skyrocketed following the success of his video gaming businesses, such as Tetris and The Black Onyx. He is also a climate change activist working towards a carbon-free planet.
READ ALSO: Who is Henk Rogers' wife?
Briefly.co.za published an article about Henk Rogers' wife, Akemi Rogers. They tied the knot in 1977, and they have four children.
Alongside Henk, Akemi founded the Henk & Akemi Rogers Ohana Foundation to give back to the community.
Source: Briefly News
