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For the first time ever, Steve Ballmer, a former Microsoft employee, has surpassed his ex-boss, Bill Gates, in terms of net worth, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Ballmer now ranks as the sixth richest person in the world, overtaking Gates who has long been a fixture in the top ranks of global wealth.
Bloomberg’s latest data reports that Ballmer’s net worth has reached USD 157.2 billion, edging out Gates, who holds USD 156.7 billion. The shift in rankings came as Microsoft’s stock hit an all-time high on Monday, July 1st, propelling Ballmer’s wealth to new heights.
Ballmer’s fortune is largely tied to Microsoft shares—over 90% of his net worth comes from his stake in the company, where he remains the largest individual shareholder. In contrast, Gates has diversified his investments and given away tens of billions through philanthropy, notably via the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Gates, known for co-founding the Giving Pledge, has committed to donating the majority of his wealth to charitable causes. While Ballmer hasn’t signed the pledge, he and his wife established the Ballmer Group, a philanthropic organization focused on expanding economic opportunities for families and children in the U.S. He has also contributed significantly to various universities.
Ballmer spent more than 30 years at Microsoft, serving nearly 14 of those as the company’s CEO before retiring in 2014. Following his departure from the tech giant, he purchased the NBA’s Los Angeles Clippers, stepping into the world of professional sports ownership.
Ballmer originally joined Microsoft on June 11, 1980, as its 30th employee and first business manager. His early leadership spanned multiple divisions, and by February 1992, he had become Executive Vice President. In July 1998, he was promoted to President of Microsoft, becoming second-in-command under Bill Gates.
His rise culminated on January 13, 2000, when he was appointed CEO of Microsoft, a role he held until Satya Nadella succeeded him in February 2014. Ballmer’s long tenure at the company and strategic stock holdings have now catapulted him to greater financial heights than the very man who brought him into Microsoft.