Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, who turns 68 today, has a lot to celebrate as the sixth richest person in the world. With a net worth of approximately $148 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Ballmer is now just short of surpassing his former boss and Microsoft founder, Bill Gates, who currently sits at $154 billion.

Ballmer's career has been nothing short of illustrious, but it didn't always start out glamorous. At the age of 24, he made the bold decision to drop out of Stanford Business School to join Microsoft and reunite with his former Harvard classmate, Gates. As the company's 30th employee, Ballmer initially earned a base salary of $50,000.

Microsoft quickly became one of America's fastest-growing companies, surpassing Apple and dominating the personal computer market in the 1990s with the development of Windows, an easy-to-use operating system. Ballmer took on the role of CEO in 2000, a pivotal moment of transition for the company.

During his tenure, Ballmer successfully navigated challenges such as the aftermath of an antitrust case, the dot-com crash, and the emergence of fierce competition from rivals like Google and Apple. Under his leadership, Microsoft's annual revenue tripled to nearly $78 billion, with profits reaching $22 billion in his final fiscal year as CEO.

Although Microsoft's stock didn't fully reflect its dominance at the time, Ballmer set the stage for the company's remarkable comeback in the following years. Today, Microsoft ranks 13th on the Fortune 500 list and holds the title of the most valuable company in the world with a market capitalization of $3.2 trillion.

Ballmer continues to hold an estimated 4.5% stake in Microsoft, which has further increased in value following his successor Satya Nadella's bet on OpenAI. In 2021, Ballmer became the ninth person in the world to report a net worth of over $100 billion, a notable achievement considering he amassed his wealth as an employee, not an entrepreneur.

After bidding farewell to Microsoft in 2014, Ballmer shifted his focus towards entrepreneurial ventures. In that same year, he purchased the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers for $2 billion, a franchise that Forbes currently values at over $4.5 billion.

However, Ballmer's entrepreneurial pursuits don't end there. He has also become heavily involved in philanthropy, donating billions to various causes. His recent investments include $400 million to support Black-owned businesses, $43 million in early childhood education, and a $175 million investment aimed at helping 4 million young people, particularly those in communities of color, attain economic mobility.

Reflecting on his time at Microsoft, Ballmer shared some valuable tips for success. He emphasized the importance of seeing the big picture as a CEO, continuously seeking talent, being open-minded when hiring, and constantly reevaluating and adapting business models based on market changes.

As Ballmer enters his 68th year, his focus remains on innovative thinking and revamping the LA Clippers franchise. He has recently launched Halo Sports and Entertainment, a brand that includes the Intuit Dome, a music and entertainment arena, and the Ontario Clippers, the team's G-league affiliate. These ventures, along with his ongoing commitment to philanthropy, demonstrate Ballmer's continued determination to make a lasting impact.

Today, we celebrate the achievements of Steve Ballmer and eagerly anticipate what he will accomplish in the years to come.