David Steward Net Worth

David Steward has an estimated net worth of $12.3 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, David Steward profile (figures as of October 20, 2026). That is up from $3 billion in 2019.

David Steward is an American business leader known for building World Wide Technology. He founded the company in 1990 and remains its chairman and majority owner. The business works in technology and serves large customers such as Citi, Verizon, and the federal government. Before starting it, Steward worked in sales roles at Missouri Pacific Railroad, Union Pacific, and FedEx after graduating from Central Missouri University.

His wealth comes mainly from his ownership stake in World Wide Technology, which Forbes places in the technology industry. The company now reports $20 billion in sales, giving Steward a large share of the value created by its growth. The path was not easy at first. In the early days, he sometimes went without a paycheck, and his car was once repossessed from the office parking lot.

How David Steward built his fortune

Steward made his money by creating and holding onto World Wide Technology. He cofounded the company in 1990 after years in sales, including jobs with Missouri Pacific Railroad, Union Pacific, and FedEx. That background helped him build customer relationships and win business. World Wide Technology grew into a major IT provider, and Steward stayed in control as founder, chairman, and majority owner.

The company’s scale is the biggest reason for his wealth. World Wide Technology has customers that include Citi, Verizon, and the federal government, and it now does $20 billion in sales. Steward also helped launch Telcobuy.com after World Wide Technology spun off its telecommunications division in 1999. Earlier, in 1993, the company sharpened its focus on enterprise imaging, conversion services, and telecommunication networks.

What Forbes says about his net worth

Forbes has steadily raised its estimate of Steward’s fortune over time. Its World’s Billionaires list put him at $3 billion in 2019, $3.5 billion in 2020, $3.7 billion in 2021, and $5.8 billion in 2022. The next updates moved higher again, to $6 billion in 2023 and $7.6 billion in 2024, tracking the rising value tied to his stake in World Wide Technology.

The jump continued after that. Forbes estimated $11.4 billion in 2025 and $12.4 billion in 2026 on its annual World’s Billionaires list. On Forbes’ real-time billionaires tracker, his current net worth is $12.3 billion as of October 20, 2026. That estimate lines up with his long-running role as the majority owner of a large IT provider with major corporate and government customers.