Wealth Story

How Michael Dell Built the Fortune

Michael Dell is worth an estimated $324.48B today — #2 on the world's rich list. Founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell Technologies.

The fortune didn't appear overnight. The first milestone on the public record came at age 19: founded dell. Everything after that is a chain of documented decisions — this is that chain, year by year.

The Milestones

1984: Founded Dell

at age 19

Started the company from his University of Texas dorm room, selling custom PCs directly to customers.

1988: Dell IPO

at age 23

Took the company public.

2013: Took Dell private

at age 48

Led a roughly $25 billion buyout to take Dell private.

2018: Returned to public markets

at age 53

Brought Dell Technologies back to the stock market.

Today: #2 in the world

Michael's net worth is an estimated $324.48B, updated in real time from public holdings. See the live number →

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Milestones are drawn from widely-reported public history; ages are computed from the birth year and can be off by one depending on the month. Net worth is our real-time estimate.