Holding on to that Microsoft stock over the long term has paid off big for Ballmer.
Ballmer’s latest rally is directly tied to Microsoft’s impressive stock run this year.
Interestingly enough, Ballmerdidn’t receive any equitywhen he joined Microsoft in 1980.
That proved untenable and ultimately, Ballmer gave it up inexchangefor eight percent of company stock.
He currently owns around four percent of the tech giant while Gates has around one percent.
At just 68, it could be a while before the latter happens.
Ballmer’s $158 billion fortune is about six billion short of Google co-founder Larry Page’s net worth.
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg is the fourth wealthiest individual with a portfolio worth $181 billion.
Still, they’re all chasing Elon Musk and his massive $241 billion net worth.
