Steve Ballmer

Steve Ballmer is quite the pivotal figure in the tech industry. He joined Microsoft back in the 1980s and went all the way to becoming CEO in 2000, succeeding Bill Gates. During his tenure, Ballmer pushed Microsoft to make some major advancements, putting more focus on the services and the software.

During his period as CEO, the company came up with the launch of Windows XP and 7, and Xbox 360, while expanding on the hardware ventures. Ballmer’s leadership invigorated the company’s core and solidified its global status. Even after leaving Microsoft, he continued with his success by purchasing the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014, which further cemented his stature in the business world.

What is Steve Ballmer’s Net worth?

In 2024, Steve Ballmer has a net worth of around $123.6 Billion, according to Forbes.

Steve Ballmer is currently one of the richest individuals in the world, and it is mostly derived from the significant amount of stakes that he currently holds in Microsoft. Ballmer also happens to be the only individual with a net worth of $100 billion who has made money as an employee rather than an owner, as reported by Fortune.

More than 90% of his net worth is in his Microsoft stocks, and Ballmer is also the largest stockholder of the company. Ballmer holds 4% of the stake in Microsoft, which translates to a whopping 333.4 million shares. Furthermore,In 2023, CNN stated that Ballmer would make around $1 billion a year after Microsoft raised its quarterly dividend payout to 75 cents a share, or $3 a share yearly.

Beyond his legacy at Microsoft, Ballmer also owns the Los Angeles Clippers, which he bought back in 2014 for $2 billion, and as of 2023, the team’s value has doubled to $4.65 billion. Additionally, he has invested in a few tech startups and media companies, among which the most prominent one is X, where he used to own 4% of the shares but ended up selling them for a profit in 2018.

Ballmer’s list of investments continues with his real estate holdings, which include multiple properties in California, Washington, and Manhattan. 

What is Steve Ballmer’s claim to fame?

Ballmer played an important role in the launch of the original Xbox.

The journey toward fame for Ballmer began with his pivotal role at Microsoft, where he joined back in 1980 as the 30th employee. As he ascended to the position of CEO in 2000, his transformative era began. 

Then, with the launch of Windows XP, Windows 7, and Xbox 360, his prominence in the tech world was significantly boosted. His fame further skyrocketed when he purchased the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014; since then, the team’s overall value has risen to $4 billion, and that has stamped his name in the business world as well.

What ventures does Steve Ballmer own or is a part of?

Steve Ballmer is a dynamic entrepreneur who is quite well known for his keen investment acumen. Since retiring from the post of CEO at Microsoft, he has been rapidly diversifying his portfolio into a plethora of other sectors. Below are some of his most significant ventures.

• Los Angeles Clippers: Ballmer set the record for the highest price paid for an NBA team by acquiring the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 for $2 billion. Since then, its value has risen to a staggering $4.65 billion, making it a huge success for the ex-Microsoft CEO. He is also currently working on building a new stadium for the team, as they used to share a stadium with the LA Lakers. The new stadium is called Intuit Dome and cost him around $2 billion and is supposed to be on the 15th of August.
• Microsoft: Ballmer left Microsoft back in 2014, and still owns around 4% of the stake in Microsoft, totaling up to a massive 333.4 million shares, which is the largest amount of Microsoft stocks held by an individual. He is also known to make a billion dollars a year, making Microsoft his major source of income.
• USA Facts: USA Facts is a non-profit company that was established by Steve Ballmer to make government data more accessible. He also told "The New York Times" that he'd spent around $10 million on USA Facts in direct funding and grants, and it could cost up to $5 million a year to sustain.

His ventures span a very diverse range of industries, which shows that he has put up some significant work on his portfolio since retiring. Some of the other ventures include the Ballmer Group, which he started in 2015 with his wife Connie. Since then, they have also established a foundation for Social Solutions Global and USAFacts in 2017, alongside many small yet growing ventures.

How does Steve Ballmer spend his billions?

Ballmer, apart from his business ventures, is also known to spend a substantial amount of wealth on various leisure activities, lavish estates, cars, and other high-end transportation; however, the ex-Microsoft CEO is a reserved individual who likes to keep details about life his private.

How many properties does Steve Ballmer own?

He is known to make several strategic acquisitions of real estate, showcasing his taste and preference for luxury, comfort, and practicality. His portfolio includes a vast amount of properties spread across the U.S. However, most of their locations and other details have not been revealed by Ballmer. 

The only two properties whose details have been revealed are located in Huntspoint, Washington. Steve’s previous primary residence was bought in 1987 for $1.32 million. The other one was bought in 2019 for $9.8 million, where he currently resides.

How many cars does Steve Ballmer own?

Just like his real estate portfolio, Steve Ballmer’s car collection seems to be luxurious, but only a small amount of detail has been revealed.

• Ford Fusion: The surprising car in Ballmer’s collection is the Ford Fusion, which, despite his immense wealth, is one of the cars that he frequently drives. It comes with a price tag of $30,000 and is known to be quite efficient.
• Mercedes-Benz GLS: The Mercedes-Benz that combines elegance mirrors Ballmer’s taste for sophisticated taste. This SUV comes with a price tag of $79,900.
• Rolls Royce Wraith: The Rolls Royce Wraith is arguably the most luxurious car inside Steven Ballmer’s garage. It is a dual-tone Wraith that boasts numerous extra features and functions and comes for a hefty $350,000.

These are just a few of the beautiful vehicles that Ballmer has in his garage. Besides these, there are a couple of other cars that have never been revealed to the public.

What other transportation does Steve Ballmer own?

Unlike many other billionaires out there, Steve Ballmer does not like to spend much on high-end transportation. He owns just one Gulfstream G650 private jet, which he bought in 2014 after retiring from Microsoft, and is worth around $40-$55 million. Ballmer mostly uses it to commute between Seattle and Los Angeles.

What are Steve Ballmer’s charitable contributions?

In recent years, Ballmer has drastically extended his influence outside the tech world by engaging in numerous charitable works alongside his wife, Connie. Down below are some of the most impressive ones.

• Ballmer Group Charity: Steve and Connie Ballmer actively dedicate themselves to improving the mobility of children and families in the U.S. with the help of the Ballmer Group. They fund various organizations to reshape and reduce all kinds of systemic inequities.
• Black-led Nonprofits: The Ballmer’s Group has also allocated $42.5 million over 5 years to support over 100 black-led nonprofit organizations.
• University of Oregon Donation: The generosity of Steve Ballmer also extends to education. He has donated a hefty $425 million to the University of Oregon to establish the Ballmer Institute for Children’s Behavioral Health.

His legacy extends beyond corporate success, and through philanthropy, he and his wife Connie continue to make an impact while leaving a positive mark on the world.

What’s next for Steve Ballmer? 

Steve Ballmer is planning to continue his philanthropic work while focusing on his strategic endeavors. He has unveiled his Vision 2030 initiative, which, in collaboration with StriveTogether, aims to put around 4 million young people on the right track to economic mobility.

Besides that, he has been constantly putting up his philanthropic work by supporting various black-led non-profit organizations.

Read More:

• Larry Page's Net Worth
• Bernard Arnault's Net Worth
• Jeff Bezos' Net Worth