Steve Ballmer Biography: Age, Net Worth, Instagram, Spouse, Height, Wiki, Parents, Siblings, Awards

Steven Anthony Ballmer is an American businessman and investor best known for serving as CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014.

He owns the Los Angeles Clippers and is co-founder of Ballmer Group, a philanthropic investment firm.

Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 after Bill Gates hired him, leaving his MBA program at Stanford University. He became president of Microsoft in 1998 and succeeded Gates as CEO in 2000.

Profile

• Full Name: Steven Anthony Ballmer
• Stage Name: Steve Ballmer
• Born: March 24, 1956
• Age: 68 years old
• Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American businessman and investor
• Height: 1.96 m
• Parents: Frederic Henry Ballmer ,Beatrice Dworkin
• Siblings: Shelly Ballmer
• Spouse: Connie Snyder (m. 1990)
• Children: Sam Ballmer, Aaron Ballmer ,Peter Ballmer
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $124.3 billion

Early Life And Education

Steven Anthony Ballmer was born on March 24, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, to Beatrice Dworkin and Frederic Henry (Fritz Hans) Ballmer, a manager at the Ford Motor Company.

He has one sister, Shelly Ballmer. Ballmer graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in applied mathematics and economics.

At Harvard, he was involved in extracurricular activities such as managing the football team and contributing to campus publications.

After graduating from Harvard, Ballmer briefly attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business for an MBA.

However, he dropped out in 1980 to join Microsoft, marking the beginning of his long and influential career in the technology industry. Ballmer is of Swiss-German descent and identifies as Jewish.

Career

Steve Ballmer joined Microsoft in 1980 as its 30th employee after being hired by Bill Gates. He quickly became a key player, securing vital deals like one with IBM, which helped Microsoft establish itself as a legitimate software company.

Initially, Ballmer joined with a $50,000 salary plus 10% of profits, but as Microsoft grew, his compensation shifted, and he eventually owned 8% of the company. This helped propel him into a prominent leadership role.

By 1998, Ballmer had become Microsoft’s president and was involved in the company’s daily operations.

In 2000, he succeeded Gates as CEO, taking charge of company finances and operations, while Gates remained involved with the technological vision.

Ballmer led the company through tremendous financial growth, tripling sales and doubling profits during his 14-year tenure.

However, the company struggled to keep up with the rise of smartphones and missed out on crucial 21st-century trends.

In 2014, Ballmer retired as CEO and was succeeded by Satya Nadella. He remained on Microsoft’s board of directors until August 2014.

Despite his leadership success, Ballmer’s tenure was marked by missteps, such as underestimating the impact of the iPhone and Android.

In the early 2000s, he controversially referred to Linux as “communism” and a “cancer,” reflecting his combative stance against competitors.

Aside from his work at Microsoft, Ballmer became the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers in 2014 after purchasing the team for $2 billion.

Under his ownership, the Clippers improved, with Ballmer’s investment in star players and the construction of a new arena, Intuit Dome. Sportswriters often rank him among the best NBA owners due to his dedication to the team and its growth.

Ballmer’s philanthropic efforts are also notable. In 2014, he and his wife, Connie, donated $50 million to the University of Oregon to fund scholarships and public health research.

Additionally, in 2020, Ballmer purchased The Forum in Inglewood to help develop a new arena for the Clippers. This solidified his long-term commitment to both sports and charitable causes.

Social Media

• Twitter handle: @Steven_Ballmer

Personal Life

Steve Ballmer has been married to Connie Snyder since 1990. Connie is a former Microsoft employee who met Steve while working at the company.

The couple has three sons: Sam, Aaron, and Peter. They primarily reside in Hunts Point, Washington, and own several properties in the Seattle area, including 10 properties near Coupeville, Washington, as of 2024.

Net Worth

According to Forbes, Steve Ballmer’s net worth is estimated at approximately $124.3 billion as of January 2025. This wealth comes primarily from his 4% stake in Microsoft, valued at around $135 billion.

Additionally, his ownership of the Los Angeles Clippers contributes to his financial success.

Ballmer’s wealth has made him one of the wealthiest individuals globally, recently surpassing Bill Gates in net worth.