Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer may be on the verge of overtaking Microsoft founder Bill Gates in terms of wealth. Ballmer’s career is no less interesting than the rapid growth of his wealth.
• Microsoft shares benefit from the AI boom
• Ballmer buys basketball team
• From personal assistant to CEO
Employee challenges company founder
In the world of billionaires and large corporations, it is extremely rare for an employee to outperform the company founder. But it looks like a remarkable moment of surprise could be on the way. Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who has long been in the shadow of his longtime friend Bill Gates could soon overtake him in terms of his wealth. This would undoubtedly be a historic moment in the world of technology and wealth.
Ballmer is benefiting from the rise in Microsoft shares
Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and the visionary behind the US company’s rise to one of the most influential tech giants in the world, was once the undisputed leader on the Forbes list of richest people. His wealth grew steadily thanks to his stake in Microsoft and his investments in technology and philanthropy. But in recent years the dynamic has shifted.
Steve Ballmer, who was CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014, has significantly increased his wealth after leaving the company. Much of his wealth comes from his stake in Microsoft, but he has also invested wisely in other businesses. In particular, his purchase of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team in 2014 was a financial move that proved extremely profitable, Forbes reports. The team’s value has since more than doubled from $2 billion to $4.65 billion, significantly increasing Ballmer’s wealth.
Currently, Forbes estimates Steve Ballmer’s wealth at $108.5 billion, while Bill Gates is worth about $113.9 billion. According to Forbes, Bill Gates is ranked 6th among the richest people in the world, while Ballmer is ranked 9th. However, the gap between the two has shrunk considerably in recent years, as Ballmer has been particularly affected by the rising valuation of Microsoft shares in the wake of AI. Booms benefited. If these trends continue, it could only be a matter of time before Ballmer overtakes Gates in terms of wealth. Bill Gates, meanwhile, shifted his fortune away from software company Microsoft and into diversified holdings, including investments in carbon-free energy companies, Forbes reports.
Ballmer and Gates successfully worked together at Microsoft
Gates and Ballmer are also close friends and have accomplished great things together at Microsoft. Both have contributed significantly to the development of the technology industry during their time at Microsoft. Steve Ballmer’s career at Microsoft has been characterized by his long-standing commitment and significant role within the company. In 1980, he joined the up-and-coming software company that had been founded by his college friend Bill Gates together with Paul Allen. Ballmer took on a variety of positions in the company, including being personal assistant to Bill Gates, as the Handelszeitung reports. He was eventually named CEO in 2000 and led Microsoft during one of the most exciting periods in the company’s history. During his tenure, he drove Microsoft forward, helping the company significantly increase revenue and introduce major products such as Windows XP and the Xbox. After 14 years as CEO, he left the company in 2014 and has since devoted himself to its diverse business and philanthropic projects, according to The Independent.
Editorial team finanzen.net
Selected leverage products on Microsoft
With knock-outs, speculative investors can participate disproportionately in price movements. Simply select the lever you want and we will show you suitable open-end products on Microsoft
The leverage must be between 2 and 20
Advertising