Steve Ballmer Net Worth

Steve Ballmer has an estimated net worth of $164 billion, according to Forbes Real-Time Billionaires, Steve Ballmer profile (figures as of October 20, 2026). That is up from $41.2 billion in 2019.

Steve Ballmer is an American businessman and investor best known for leading Microsoft from 2000 to 2014. He joined the company in 1980 as employee No. 30 after leaving Stanford's MBA program. Over time, he rose through major roles in operations, sales, support, and product groups. He became president in 1998, then took over as CEO in 2000, succeeding Bill Gates in the top job.

Most of Ballmer's wealth comes from Microsoft. He owned 4% of the company when he retired and kept most of that stake, saying he is Microsoft's largest individual shareholder. His money also includes sports ownership. In 2014, he bought the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion and later spent another $2 billion on a stadium. He also co-founded Ballmer Group and created USAFacts.org, a public data website.

How Steve Ballmer built his fortune

Ballmer made his name and most of his money at Microsoft. After joining in 1980, he helped run key parts of the business and became a top lieutenant to Bill Gates. He was president by 1998 and CEO from 2000 to 2014. During those years, he led the company after the dot-com crash and through efforts to improve its position in search and mobile while keeping Windows and Office central to the business.

His fortune is still tied closely to Microsoft because he held onto most of his stock after retiring. Forbes ties his wealth to the company, and that long-held stake remains the main driver. Ballmer also put a large amount of money into sports. In 2014, he bought the Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion. Forbes now values the team at $7.5 billion, and he spent another $2 billion building a stadium.

What Forbes says about his net worth

Forbes has tracked a sharp rise in Ballmer's wealth over the years. On the Forbes World's Billionaires List for 2019, he was listed at $41.2 billion. The estimate moved much higher in the years that followed as the value of Microsoft and his other assets increased. Because he kept most of his Microsoft holdings after leaving the company, changes in that stake have had an outsized effect on his standing.

As of October 20, 2026, Forbes' real-time billionaires tracker puts Ballmer at $164 billion. That makes this one of the biggest wealth jumps on his timeline in the public Forbes record shown here. His Clippers purchase is another notable money story around him, with Forbes valuing the franchise at $7.5 billion. Ballmer has also increased his giving since 2014, and the Ballmers have donated more than $7.4 billion.