Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer 
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| Ballmer in 2014 | |
| Born | 24 March 1956 |
| Birthplace | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman, investor, philanthropist, former CEO of Microsoft, NBA team owner |
| Known for | CEO of Microsoft (2000–2014), owner of Los Angeles Clippers |
| Website | [1] |
Early Life and Education
Steven Anthony Ballmer was born on March 24, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan. He was raised in a family connected to the automotive industry, with his father working as a manager at Ford Motor Company. Ballmer attended Detroit Country Day School, graduating in 1973. He later enrolled at Harvard University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics in 1977. While at Harvard, he became close friends with Bill Gates. Ballmer also participated in activities such as managing the football team and contributing to the university newspaper. After graduating, he briefly attended the Stanford Graduate School of Business but left before completing the program to join Microsoft.
Career at Microsoft
Ballmer joined Microsoft in the early 1980s as one of the company’s first employees. Over the years, he rose through the corporate ranks, becoming president in 1998. In 2000, he succeeded Bill Gates as the Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft. During his tenure as CEO, Microsoft experienced substantial revenue growth and expanded its product offerings. Ballmer led the company through significant technological shifts, although some critics note the company missed opportunities in mobile and internet services during this period. He stepped down from his CEO role in 2014, leaving behind a company with annual revenues tripled from when he took over.
Post‑Microsoft Ventures
After retiring from Microsoft, Ballmer focused on philanthropy and investment. Together with his wife Connie, he founded the Ballmer Group in 2015, an organization dedicated to improving economic mobility and addressing systemic social inequities in the United States. Ballmer also became the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers NBA team in 2014 after purchasing the franchise for a record $2 billion. Under his leadership, the team has grown significantly in profile and value, and he spearheaded the development of the Intuit Dome, a new state-of-the-art arena for the Clippers. In 2017, Ballmer launched USAFacts, a nonprofit initiative aimed at making U.S. government data transparent and accessible to the public.
Personal Life
Steve Ballmer married Connie Snyder in 1990. Connie Ballmer shares her husband’s commitment to philanthropy and social causes, co-leading their charitable endeavors through the Ballmer Group. The couple has three children. Politically, Ballmer is known for donating primarily to liberal and Democratic causes, though he remains publicly nonpartisan in his civic initiatives and data transparency efforts.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Steve Ballmer's net worth is estimated to be between $170 billion and $183 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the world and among the richest former Microsoft executives.
More Information
steve ballmer net worth / how much is steve ballmer worth: Estimated between $170 billion and $183 billion in 2025, placing him among the top richest individuals globally.
microsoft steve ballmer: Served as CEO of Microsoft from 2000 to 2014, leading the company through major growth phases.
steve ballmer education: Graduated from Harvard University in 1977 with a B.A. in Applied Mathematics and Economics; briefly attended Stanford Graduate School of Business.
steve ballmer politics: Major donor to Democratic and liberal causes; supports nonpartisan civic initiatives such as USAFacts; no public affiliation with conservative or Trump politics.
steve ballmer usa facts: Founder of USAFacts, a nonprofit that presents U.S. government data clearly to the public.
steve ballmer clippers: Owner of the NBA team Los Angeles Clippers since 2014; invested in team growth and construction of the new Intuit Dome arena.
steve ballmer wife: Married to Connie Snyder since 1990; they have three children and jointly lead philanthropic efforts.
is steve ballmer a liberal / is steve ballmer a liberal or conservative / is steve ballmer a trumper: Generally considered liberal based on his political donations; supports progressive causes and nonpartisan civic projects; not aligned with Trump or conservative politics.