Steve Ballmer: The Story Behind the Fortune
Steve Ballmer was Microsoft's CEO from 2000 to 2014, having joined as its first business manager in 1980. Since leaving, he has owned the Los Angeles Clippers and launched the data non-profit USAFacts.
Steve Ballmer was Microsoft's CEO from 2000 to 2014, having joined as its first business manager in 1980. Since leaving, he has owned the Los Angeles Clippers and launched the data non-profit USAFacts.
Steve Ballmer built this fortune from the ground up — a self-made success in technology.
He studied at Harvard University and is based in Hunts Point, Washington.
A few of the highlights on the public record: Was Microsoft's 30th employee and first business manager; Bought the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion in 2014; Founded USAFacts, a government-data transparency project.
The journey to get here is well documented. In 1980, became Microsoft's first business manager and 30th employee. In 2000, succeeded Bill Gates as Microsoft's chief executive. In 2014, retired as Microsoft CEO, succeeded by Satya Nadella. In 2014, purchased the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion.
On net worth alone, the closest companies are Elon Musk ($417.59B) and Michael Dell ($324.48B) — a reminder of how tightly bunched the very top of the wealth list really is.
Today, Steve is worth an estimated $133.24B — #10 in the world on our real-time list, a figure that moves with MSFT's share price.