Michael Dell’s Net Worth : Career & Income

The American technology entrepreneur and business executive Michael Dell’s net worth is a staggering $3o billion as of 2024.

Michael Dell dropped out of college and abandoned his incomplete medical degree to launch a highly profitable computer repair business. Dell, Inc. grew out of this $1,000 investment.

Michael continues to lead Dell Technologies as CEO, Chairman, and Founder, one of the world’s leading computer infrastructure firms.

Although Michael Dell is one of the world’s wealthiest people, his fortune is not entirely dependent on Dell Technologies. Instead, Michael’s personal worth is largely derived from his ownership of MSD Capital, a closely held investment firm.

MSD Capital holds real estate, private equity, equities, bonds, and other assets in addition to a major position in Dell. MSD Capital oversees $16 billion in assets, about $12 billion from Michael’s personal fortune.

Michael Dell's profile image.
Michael Dell’s profile image.

During his collegiate years, Michael Dell continued to tinker with computers and subsequently sold upgrade kits for desktop computers.

He formed his company as “PC’s Limited” in 1984. Michael incorporated his company as “Dell Computer Corporation” after seeing high sales. Dell then moved the company to Austin and employed a few staff, all on a $1000 budget.

By 1992, Michael Dell, then 27 years old, had become the youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 business. During this time, Dell was reporting $1 million in daily sales.

Furthermore, Michael founded MSD Capital L.P. in 1998 to manage his assets. As a result, the firm surpassed IBM as the world’s largest PC manufacturer in 2001.

Quick Facts

So, let’s get to know Michael Dell a little better, starting with some basic facts about him.

Name Michael Saul Dell
Birthplace  Houston, Texas US
Birthdate 23 February 1965
Age  59 years old
Nationality  American
Ethnicity  Jewish
Religion  N/A
Father’s Name Alexander Dell
Mother’s Name Lorraine Charlotte
Siblings  Adam Dell (brother)
School Herd Elementary School, Memorial High School
College University of Texas
Profession Businessman and philanthropist
Nickname Michael Dell
Height In Centimetres – 170 cm
In Feet and Inches –5′ 5″
Weight  In Kilograms – 82 Kg
In Pounds – 180 lbs
Hair Color Dark Brown
Eye Color Dark Brown
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Net worth  $30 billion
Sexual Orientation  Straight
Marital status Married
Spouse Susan Lynn Lieberman (m. 1989)
Children Alexa, Kira, Juliette, and Zachary Dell
Social Media  Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
Last Update March, 2024

Early Life: Michael Dell

Michael Dell was born in Houston, Texas, to Alexander Dell and Lorraine Charlotte Langfan Dell on February 23, 1965. His father was an orthodontist, while his mother worked in the stock market.

Dell went to Houston’s Herod Elementary School before attending Memorial Senior High School.

Dell became interested in computers during his senior year of high school. During this time, he also began selling Houston Post newspaper subscriptions.

Michael Dell obtained his first computer at 15, which he immediately disassembled to figure out how it operated.

Michael Dell at a very young age.
Michael Dell at a very young age.

Similarly, Michael Dell enrolled in the University of Texas in Austin to pursue a medical degree after graduating from high school.

According to reports, Dell split his time in college between studying and selling newspaper subscriptions, earning $18,000 that summer.

Then, he decided to grow his company by recruiting additional staff, which resulted in a gross profit of almost $200,000 in his first year.

Eventually, Dell dropped out of college at the age of 19 to focus on his business.

Michael Dell: Net Worth and Income

Michael Dell’s Net Worth

The American technology entrepreneur and business executive Michael Dell’s net worth is a staggering $3o billion as of 2024.

Michael Dell has been cited in various publications as one of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs. With a net worth of $41.8 billion as of February 2021, Forbes magazine listed him as the world’s 27th richest person.

Michael Dell had 243.35 million shares of Dell, Inc. stock in 2011. His shares were worth $3.5 billion at the time, giving him a 12.5% ownership position in the corporation.

While Dell is most known for inventing Dell Technologies, MSD Capital L.P., a corporation he formed in 1998 to handle his family’s business ventures, accounts for a significant portion of his wealth.

Specifically, MSD Capital has made significant investments in publicly listed securities, private equity, and real estate. Dell Technologies is another company in which the company has a significant stake.

Moreover, MSD Capital reportedly manages more than $16 billion in assets as of this writing, with $12 billion coming from Michael Dell’s personal investments.

Let’s have a look at Michael Dell’s earnings from the year 1980-2014:

Year Earnings $
1980 $18 Thousand
1984 $15,350,000
1985 $80,000
2000 $250,000
2004 $250,000
2007 $153,000
2011 $13,500,000,000
2013 $24,900,000,000
2014 $14,600,400,000

Michael Dell’s Income

Michael Dell’s compensation for the fiscal year 2021 was $255,700. His total remuneration was $930,400, which included $665,000 in non-equity incentive plan compensation and around $10,000 in miscellaneous compensation.

  • October 2016 – $20.0 B
  • March 2017 – $20.4 B
  • October 2017 – $23.2 B
  • March 2018 – $22.7 B
  • October 2018 – $27.6 B
  • March 2019 – $34.3 B
  • October 2019 – $32.3 B
  • April 2020 – $22.9 B
  • September 2020 – $35.6 B
  • April 2021 – $45.1 B

Michael Dell’s Net Worth in Different Currencies

Let’s look at Michael Dell’s Net Worth in several currencies, including BitCoin, the cryptocurrency.

Currency Net Worth
Euro 25,296,000,000
Pound Sterling £ 21,769,050,000
Australian Dollar A$ 40,575,360,000
Canadian Dollar C$ 37,781,850,000
Indian Rupee 2,203,999,500,000
BitCoin ฿ 587,842

Michael Dell: House, Cars

House

Real estate accounts for a sizable chunk of Michael Dell’s fortune. Some of these homes are for investment purposes, while others are for Michael’s personal use.

In 2014, he bought a penthouse on Manhattan’s Billionaire’s Row for slightly over $100 million, perhaps his most significant acquisition.

It was the most expensive home in New York at the time. The six-bedroom apartment takes up the full 89th and 90th floors of the One57 building in Midtown, spanning just under 11,000 square feet.

In 2017, he paid $40 million for another penthouse in Boston. This suite is located on Dalton Street in the Four Seasons Private Residences complex.

When it was finished, the skyscraper was the tallest residential building in Boston. Another property in Los Cabos, Mexico, was put on the market for $18.5 million and is believed to be solely for investment purposes.

Michael finished the construction of a 33,000-square-foot home for his family in Austin in 1996. There are 8 bedrooms, a home gym, and an indoor lap pool in this home.

Dell and his wife own numerous properties next to this property, making the overall compound around 120 acres in size. When Michael received a $600,000 property tax bill in 1997, the property became the focus of a court battle.

Dell’s house was assessed at $22.5 million, although he claimed he spent $30 million on renovations alone.

The Castle

Michael Dell’s home, dubbed “The Castle,” is perched on a 33,000-foot mountaintop on the outskirts of Austin.

Michael Dell's stunning house, "The Castle", on the outskirts of Austin.
Michael Dell’s stunning house, “The Castle,” is on the outskirts of Austin.

The mansion, completed in 1997, is rumored to be the most expensive in the state, with eight bedrooms, a conference room, indoor and outdoor pools, and a breathtaking view of Lake Austin.

Its huge walls and extensive security systems earned it the queer moniker.

Anguilla beach home

The founder of Dell Computer, the world’s fourth-richest man, has a beautiful neo-classical beach villa on the Caribbean island of Anguilla. He built this villa in 2001 and used it as his vacation home frequently.

Anguilla is a British overseas territory in the Caribbean as well as a European Union overseas territory. The area is noted for its numerous smaller islands and cays with no permanent inhabitants.

This is where Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston used to stay.

Raptor Residence

Michael Dell owns the Raptor Residence in Hawaii, which features seven bedrooms, seven full bathrooms, and five half bathrooms. Dell uses this luxury beachside mansion as his own hideaway, with an interior space of 18,500 square feet.

The residence is valued at $28.5 million by Hawaii County, but the land is built accounts for most of the value.

6D Ranch

This 6,380 square foot home in Austin, Texas, is situated on a vast meadow on Lake Austin. The plan was to create a contemporary reinterpretation of a Texas lake house “bungalow” for a family of four.

Michael Dell's 6,380-square-foot house, "6D Ranch", designed by Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects.
Michael Dell’s 6,380-square-foot house, “6D Ranch”, designed by Gwathmey Siegel Kaufman Architects.

The program includes a ground-floor loft space with a living/dining/kitchen area that opens to an outside terrace with views of and access to the lake, as well as an adjacent, connected spa/exercise area.

Mansion

Michael Dell set up shop on the Big Island of Hawaii’s Kohala coast to purchase another spectacular residence after MSD Capital purchased the Four Seasons Maui in 2004.

Michael’s home and neighborhood, both located in the exclusive Kukio enclave, are absolutely off-limits to anyone who isn’t a homeowner.

Michael’s Kukio mansion, with a total square footage of 18,500 square feet and seven bedrooms, is the largest in the community.

Cars

2004 Porsche Boxster

Michael Dell has a Porsche Boxster from 2004, which is a superior sports car to its competitors. The Boxster is a vintage automobile, clearly inspired by the renowned 550 Spyders of the past.

Porsche is one of the few remaining manufacturers whose reputation is solely on sports and racing vehicles, and this one also offers supreme handling and pure performance.

Michael Dell owns a Porsche vehicle, which is one of the world’s most luxury automobiles. It comes with leather-upholstered seats and a surround-sound audio system, as well as wooden doors.

Porsche Carrera GT

Michael Dell, a car enthusiast, owns the exotic Porsche Carrera GT, the best car the company has ever made. Riding this remarkable $400,000 automobile is pure joy: the V-10 engine’s tremendous power propels the car from zero to 60 in just 3.5 seconds.

Carrera GT is pure Porsche: it’s extremely durable and equipped with cutting-edge technology.

The luxury side of the Carrera GT is defined by its luxurious leather-wrapped interiors, open roof facility, Bose audio system, GPS, and telescopic sport steering.

Michael Dell's automobile equipped with cutting-edge technology, Porsche Carrera GT worth $400,000.
Michael Dell’s automobile is equipped with cutting-edge technology, Porsche Carrera GT worth $400,000.

This car has also won the hearts of celebrities such as Jay Leno, Tiger Woods, and Ralph Lauren. Michael Dell’s car collection includes a Porsche, a brand of German-based automobile firm.

Its carbon and magnesium exteriors, along with leather-dominated interiors, set it apart from the competition and complement Michael Dell’s personality.

Hummer H2

Michael Dell appreciates the comfort and security of his Hummer H2, a vehicle that combines the benefits of an SUV and a truck. When moving stuff, H2 also allows you to make a 4×6 foot pickup truck bed.

The heated seat cushions, perforated leather on the instrument panel, navigation radio, and XM Satellite Radio are just a few of the amazing features included in this powerful luxury four-wheel drive.

General Motors’ Hummer H2 is a sport utility vehicle.
The Hummer H2 is a high-performance vehicle with contoured bucket seats. Overall, it adds to the luxury and comfort of interiors.

Private Jet

Aside from his $14.6 billion net worth, Dell’s owner also owns a luxury Gulfstream 500. The Gulfstream V was the first ultra-long-range private jet to enter the market. This ultra-luxurious jet is capable of nonstop trips anywhere in the world.

The plane’s cabin can hold up to 15 passengers, although it can be designed to hold more and customized to the customer’s demands. It is one of the world’s most comfortable private airplanes, powered by two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710-48 engines.

Michael Dell's private jet powered by two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710-48 engines.
Two BMW/Rolls-Royce BR710-48 engines power Michael Dell’s private jet.

The Gulfstream V is a reliable and efficient jet with a conventional cabin, power outlets, and fold-out work tables. In addition, the Gulfstream V has a satellite TV as well as multi-screen entertainment systems.

Watches

Michael Dell, a wealthy software magnate, favors the oyster eternal Rolex Yacht-Master. The Rolex Yacht-Master is the ultimate reference picked by professionals who sail throughout the world, and it is a highly modernized Submariner from Michaels’ perspective.

Michael Dell: Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Michael Dell, despite being a multibillionaire, is not a spendthrift. On the contrary, he gives up a large amount of his money.

Dell and his wife Susan established the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation in 1999. The charity focuses on business grants and urban education, family economic stability, and children’s health.

During 2011, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation had contributed more than $650 million to community-based programs in the United States, India, and South Africa.

The Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, and Hurricane Harvey are just a few of the significant efforts that the organization has supported.

Michael Dell also invests a significant portion of his billions in real estate.

Dell’s most notable real estate purchase was a six-bedroom penthouse in Manhattan’s Billionaire’s Row for more than $100 million in 2014. Dell paid $40 million for another penthouse in Boston in 2017.

Michael Dell’s other real estate interests include his 120-acre Austin home, 6D Ranch, a ranch 12 miles from his Austin home, and an 18,500-square-foot home in Kukio, Japan.

The Foundation Of The Dell, Success Behind Dell, Book Publications, Investments

The Foundation Of The Dell

Michael Dell began with only $1000, which he earned every week while living in a dorm room at his university in Austin. He also had a side business enticing people to sign up for newspaper subscriptions.

Dell made almost $18000 from this business venture. He used the money to hire people and build his company, making roughly $200,000 in profit.

This provided him the opportunity to establish his own firm, even if it meant dropping out of college. Thus, Michel Dell founded Dell in 1962 and, at the age of 27, became known around the world as the world’s youngest CEO.

Dell never shied away from education, even after being the owner of such a successful company. In 1987, he returned to Stanford University in California to continue his studies.

Michael Dell with board of directors of 'The Foundation of Dell', Susan Dell and Dr. Alexander Dell.
Michael Dell with the board of directors of ‘The Foundation of Dell’, Susan Dell, and Dr. Alexander Dell.

When Dell started selling computers and computer parts on an online domain, his business grew even faster. Back in 1996, this was a futuristic feature that drew in the tech-savvy populace.

Dell has concluded that now is the best time to release its first servers. As a result, daily revenues of almost $1 million were created.

What happened after that is history; by 2001, Dell Inc. had amassed a 12.8 percent stake in global revenue, and it continued to set record after record.

Success Behind Dell

The brand new PC design Dell came up with was one that got worldwide PC users enthusiastic. The Turbo Computer model was Dell’s first set of PCs, and it had a stunning style. With a price tag of $795 for each set, it was a hit.

Over the years, Michael Dell and his core team of professionals that manage Dell have adhered to a few principles. These ideas have enabled the multibillion-dollar corporation to maintain its steady growth.

According to Forbes, Michael Dell believes in recruiting better people than him and can contribute productively to his organization.

Several things determine a business’s prospective success. These factors could include raw material availability, labor, location, and population. The final factor is the product’s consumer base, which determines its selling.

Dell aimed to locate its leading plants in areas where the demographics were more conducive to its operations. Instead of paying a significant transit expense, this would assure the supply chain’s smooth operation.

As a result, delivery times are reduced, and after-sales service management is improved. Dell also made a significant investment in developmental research.

Furthermore, Dell has grown to become one of the most well-known PC manufacturers in the world. Dell has roughly 165000 employees in the United States.

Book Publications

Direct from Dell (1999) is a memoir chronicling Dell’s early beginnings, the formation of his company, its development, and errors, as well as lessons gained.

Specifically, Catherine Fredman assisted in the writing of the book.

Stake Owner

Michael Dell is the sole shareholder of MSD Capital and has a 65 percent stake in MSD Partners, which manages over $16 billion in assets. In addition, Michael owns a 75 percent share in Dell Inc., which was taken private for $25 billion in 2003.

The management buyout was the largest since the Great Depression, although the company would go public again in 2018.

He bought EMC Corp. for $67 million in 2015, forming Dell Technologies, the world’s largest private technology corporation. In 2016, Dell Technologies generated $74 billion in revenue.

Investment

Michael founded MSD Capital, a private investment company that manages the Dell family’s money solely, in 1998.

He and his wife, Susan Dell, founded the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in 1999 to help children growing up in urban poverty in the United States, India, and South Africa.

Michael Dell: Career

In 1984, Dell registered its company as “PC’s Limited.” In the same year, he renamed the business Dell Computer Corporation. His company had developed that he needed a few staff to take and fill orders and upgrade basic machines.

He placed a strong emphasis on customer service and made quality products a top priority. His convictions paid off as the company’s revenues increased dramatically over the next few months.

Dell released a 12-megahertz 286 CPU in 1986, which was the fastest personal computer at the time. The pricing of this product was competitive with an IBM competitor, and it was a big success.

Michael Dell photographed presenting Dell's achievements to the members of the Dell Technologies.
Michael Dell photographed presenting Dell’s achievements to the members of Dell Technologies.

The company was placed in Fortune magazine’s top 500 corporations by 1992. Dell was the CEO of one of the world’s most successful corporations at the time, even though he was just 27 years old.

Dell’s initial servers and storage devices were released in 1996 and 1998, respectively.

Moreover, he also established MSD Capital L.P. in 1998 to oversee his family’s investing interests, including publicly traded stocks, private equity, and real estate.

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Michael Dell: Controversy

However, not everything has gone well for Dell and its company in recent years. First, Dell’s top perch atop the industry was lost due to poorly made computers, which resulted in the firm taking a $300 million charge to rectify the faulty machines.

This was a big issue for the company, which resulted in Dell losing its top perch. Dell returned as CEO in 2007 to remedy the situation, but the results have been mixed.

Despite Dell Computer’s efforts to downplay the problem, papers ultimately proved that workers were well aware of the problems affecting millions of laptops.

Dell made news in July 2010 when he agreed to pay over $100 million in fines to settle charges of accounting fraud brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to the allegations, Dell Computer allegedly overstated its earnings statements by adding rebates from chipmaker Intel that was given to the company to induce it not to utilize Advanced Micro Devices chips in its computers and servers.

According to sources, Dell Computer allegedly misled investors about its true earnings by bloating its financial statements. As a result, Dell declared in February 2013 that he would be retaking his private firm to restore the company he established.

He signed an arrangement with Silver Lake Partners, a technology-focused private equity firm, and Microsoft to buy out all of Dell’s outstanding shares. This buyout is estimated to be worth between $23 billion and more than $24 billion, making it one of the largest in recent history.

Dell feels that “this purchase will begin an exciting new chapter for Dell, our customers, and team members,” according to a report. Many experts share Dell’s confidence but believe the firm faces significant obstacles.

Michael Dell: Charity

The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation was founded in 1999 by Michael and Susan Dell and focuses on grants, urban education, childhood health, and family economic stability, among other issues.

The MSDF has invested $1.23 billion in non-profits and social companies in the US, India, and South Africa since 1999. Dell is also responsible for establishing the Dell Jewish Community Campus in Austin’s Northwest Hills neighborhood.

The foundation had invested more than $650 million in children’s issues and community activities in the United States, India, and South Africa by 2011. The foundation now manages more than $466 million in assets.

In 2002, the University of Limerick awarded Dell an honorary doctorate in economic science to recognize his investment in Ireland and the local community and his support for educational projects.

The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation pledged $50 million in support of medical education in 2012. As a result, in 2016, the Dell Medical School began accepting students.

He gave $1.8 million to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in 2014. In addition, Dell, a Houston native, gave $36 million to relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Dell’s foundation, which focuses on child poverty and provides impact investments and philanthropic donations, received a $1 billion commitment in May 2017.

Furthermore, Dell Technologies re-entered the stock market in 2018 after a complex financial restructuring.

3 Interesting Facts About Michael Dell

  • For the first time in 1992, Dell was named to the Fortune 500 list. In addition, Michael Dell was the youngest CEO ever to lead a company that made a list at the time.
  • The company began with a $1000 investment and developed so quickly that its initial public offering in 1988 boosted the price to $30 million.
  • Dell’s sprawling corporate complex covers 2.1 million square feet of land. It is a completely “green” campus because it is powered entirely by wind and transforms landfill pollutants into gas.

FAQS about Michael Dell

How did he come up with the idea for Dell Computer?

Michael Dell started his company in his dorm room as a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin 33 years ago. He had $1,000 to spend on PC hardware and took phone orders. After that, it grew at a breakneck pace, making Dell Computer one of the world’s fastest-growing corporations.

What is the secret to Dell’s success?

The success of Dell can be ascribed in part to its “direct model.” While competitors such as Compaq and IBM sold computers through retailers, distributors, and resellers, Dell sold directly to customers, delivering highly customizable PCs at a period when computer prices were still high enough to necessitate extensive customization.

What is the most well-known aspect of Dell’s business?

The firm is well-known for its supply-chain and electronic business innovations, especially its direct-sales model and “build-to-order” or “configure to order” manufacturing technique, which delivers individual PCs customized to customer specifications.

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