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The fabulous life of Michael Dell, the $108 billion tech icon betting big on AI
The fabulous life of Michael Dell, the $108 billion tech icon betting big on AI
Julie Bort,Theron MohamedSep 17, 2024, 19:36 IST
Michael Dell dropped out of college after starting his computer company.John Locher/AP
Michael Dell is one of the world's wealthiest people, with a net worth of more than $100 billion.
The Dell Technologies founder made his fortune by democratizing the PC and striking shrewd deals.
Michael Dell, the tech entrepreneur who helped bring the personal computer to the masses, ranks among the world's wealthiest people with a net worth of $108 billion, per the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
From his early career as one of the youngest CEOs of a Fortune 500 company until now, Dell is used to getting his way. He was only 23 when his company had its IPO in 1988. Dell took the PC maker private in 2013 only to relist it five years later, and has now shifted the company's focus toward serving the artificial intelligence boom.
Dell lives the extravagant life of a successful business figure as well, complete with all of the private planes, summer homes, and sweet rides you'd expect from a billionaire.
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Michael Dell was born on Feb. 23, 1965, in Houston, Texas.
Facebook.com/michaelsdell
When Dell was in high school, he got a job selling newspaper subscriptions.
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Though he was really only interested in computers, Dell entered the University of Texas at Austin as a pre-med student in 1983.
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In 2018, Dell tweeted out the first financial statement from his dorm PC company.
Twitter/Michael Dell
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He officially launched his company in 1984, under the name PC's Limited.
Michael Dell 1984Dell
He changed the company's name to Dell Computer Corp. in 1987, and sales continued to soar.
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In 1988, he went on a blind date with Susan Lieberman, a fashion designer from Dallas.
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His son, Zack Dell, started following in his dad's footsteps.
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The family's 33,000-square-foot home outside Austin is called "the Castle" because of its hilltop perch and heavy security presence.
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Dell also owns a 6,380-square-foot contemporary ranch house in the nearby hills, where the family keeps Arabian horses.
The Dell family has spent vacations at the "Raptor Residence," a seven-bedroom, 18,500-square-foot compound in Kukio, Hawaii.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images, Bing Maps
Dell loved the resort area of Hualalai so much that in 2006, with the help of Walmart heir Rob Walton, he bought the hotel and resort through his investment company, MSD Capital
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Through MSD Capital, Michael Dell also invested in real estate in Hawaii, Mexico, and California.
MSD Capital
Dell has his fair share of hot wheels as well.
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He's also owned private jets including a Gulfstream V.
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Dell is friends with other tech billionaires.
Michael Dell and Marc BenioffFitbit
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CEO to chairman and back again
AP
Two years after winning that battle, Dell announced plans to buy EMC for $67 billion.
EMC CEO Joe Tucci shaking hands with Michael Dell.Dell
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Dell didn't lose.
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Dell stock has surged by over 300% over the past two years, as investors bet it will be a key player in the AI revolution.
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Dell's net worth has soared to more than $100 billion.