Steve Ballmer
From Microsoft CEO to NBA Owner and Billionaire
Net Worth
$120B
Born
March 24, 1956 (age 69)
Country
United States
Occupation
Businessman, Investor, Sports Team Owner
Gender
male
Generation
Boomer
Marital Status
married
Children
3
Single Parent Household
No
Education
Master's
University
Harvard University, Stanford University
Industries
tech, business, sports
Wealth Category
billionaire
Wealth Origin
self-made
First-Gen Wealth
Yes
Overcame
- • Scored poorly on first attempt at computer programming class
- • Faced criticism for Microsoft's stagnant stock price during CEO tenure
- • Failed acquisition attempt of Yahoo in 2008
- • Initial skepticism as NBA owner from basketball community
Steve Ballmer is an American businessman and investor who served as CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. He was the 30th employee at Microsoft and helped build it into one of the world's most valuable companies. After retiring, he purchased the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion and became one of the wealthiest people in the world, with a net worth exceeding $100 billion.
Career Timeline
Notable Quotes
"Great companies are built on great products."
"I've never been a temperature taker. I'm a temperature setter."
"Number one, I like to win. Number two, I like to win. Number three, I like to win."
"The most important thing is to be passionate about what you're doing."