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Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is on pace to earn $1B/year in dividends 😳 But that's not even the most impressive thing. What's crazy about Ballmer's wealth is that he was never a founder. He was a hired employee, brought on when Microsoft was a 5-year-old company. Funny enough, Ballmer started as Bill Gates's assistant. Fast forward to 2023, Steve kept his 4.48% stake in the company, and today he's the largest individual shareholder of Microsoft. With a net worth of $127 billion, he's the 5th richest person in the world. Absolute legend.
Wealth is such a cheap and crude expression of success.
Theo Cosmora
4mo
Yeah but can he dance?
Steve Ballmer is the world's luckiest employee ever. He joined Microsoft as an employee, got a stock option, and now is about to be wealthier than the actual founder of Microsoft. This is a story for centuries to come.
Or Michaely
4mo
Yet he's too fat, some things money can't buy
Adrian Barnwell
4mo
Malcolm Galdwell talks about serendipity in his Outliers book. Circumstance and timing hugely influence success. For example, Ballmer, Gates and co. were born at the perfect time to be at the forefront of computing. Footballers today (soccer) are no better than their predecessors of 50 years ago. But they were born in the world of social media and TV.
I guess when you are one of the first hires, you know...tons of risk and tons of upside
Mostefa Z.
4mo
When you were a former CEO of systemic collector of data in the world🙄, when you have in you pocket some very powerful politicians and influential bankers👿, when your job consists on collecting a privileged and confidential data about markets makers🙉🙊🙈....it's natural to be one of the best investors😉
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4moI think it’s remarkable that he got a 4.48% stake as an employee. Something European early-stage companies and VCs can learn from this move: you gotta build the eco-system and when the tide rises it’ll lift you up. As employee 30 Ballmer got a 50k salary back in the 80s and offered 5-10% equity. In Europe I still see a more predatory approach telling employees that they shouldn’t be greedy and expecting founders and key personnel to live off of thin air. It is one reason why the European eco-System lacks behind.