Steve Ballmer, born Steven Anthony Ballmer on March 24, 1956, is an American businessman and investor. He is widely recognized for his tenure as the CEO of Microsoft Corporation from 2000 to 2014. Ballmer's career at Microsoft began in 1980 when he was hired by Bill Gates as the company's first business manager. He held various leadership roles before taking over as CEO, a position he held for 14 years. Under his leadership, Microsoft expanded its product offerings and navigated the evolving tech landscape.
Currently, Ballmer owns the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is also a co-founder of the Ballmer Group, a philanthropic investment company. As of February 2026, Ballmer's estimated net worth is around $130 to $145 billion, ranking him among the wealthiest individuals in the world. Since retiring from Microsoft, Ballmer has increased his philanthropic efforts, donating billions through the Ballmer Group. He remains a significant shareholder in Microsoft.
