Best associated with the International Data Group, Patrick McGovern is an American businessman with an estimated net worth of $4.7 billion as of March 2013 according to Forbes. Patrick Joseph McGovern is known to be the founder and the current Chairman of the Board of the International Data Group (IDG). The company's portfolio include event management, research, technology publishing and venture capital.

Born on  August 11, 1937, Patrick Joseph McGovern attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he completed his degree in biology in 1959. He is currently married to Lore Harp McGovern, his second wife. He has four children from his previous marriage. He currently lives in Hollis, New Hampshire and Atherton, California.

Patrick McGovern started International Data Group in 1964, with a start-up capital of $5,000 which he earned from the sale of his career, and from launching Computerworld magazine, several years later. Today, he owns 84% stake in the company which manages 460 websites, produces 700 events worldwide, and publishes 200 magazines like CIO and PC World. IDG earned a total revenue of $3.4 billion.