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{{Infobox executive
| name = Michael Dell
| image = Michael_Dell.jpg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Dell in 2024
| birth_name = Michael Saul Dell
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1965|2|23}}
| birth_place = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Houston, Texas]], United States
| nationality = {{flagicon|USA}} American
| citizenship = {{flagicon|USA}} United States
| languages = {{flagicon|USA}} English
| residence = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Austin, Texas]], United States
| education = [[University of Texas at Austin]] (dropped out)
| alma_mater = University of Texas at Austin (attended)
| occupation = Business magnate, investor, philanthropist
| years_active = 1984–present
| employer = [[Dell Technologies]]
| organization = Dell Technologies, MSD Capital
| title = Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies
| term = Dell CEO: 1984–2004, 2007–present
| predecessor = Kevin Rollins (2007)
| successor = N/A (current)
| board_member_of = Dell Technologies
| spouse = Susan Dell (m. 1989)
| children = 4
| parents = Alexander Dell (father)<br>Lorraine Charlotte Dell (mother)
| net_worth = {{increase}} US$120 billion (December 2025, Forbes)
| salary = US$25 million (2023)
| awards = Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (1989)<br>CEO of the Year, Financial World (1993)
| website = {{URL|dell.com}}
}}
'''Michael Saul Dell''' (born February 23, 1965) is an American billionaire businessman and investor who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of [[Dell Technologies]], one of the world's largest technology infrastructure companies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Dell Biography |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Dell |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> As of 2025, his net worth exceeds $151 billion, making him the 10th-richest person globally according to Bloomberg.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Dell Bloomberg Profile |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/michael-s-dell/ |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> Dell founded [[Dell|PC's Limited]] in 1984 from his University of Texas dorm room with just $1,000 in startup capital, revolutionizing the personal computer industry by selling custom-built PCs directly to consumers.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Michael Dell Built His Empire |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2022/10/04/michael-dell-how-one-of-americas-richest-men-built-his-empire/ |newspaper=Forbes |date=October 4, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>
'''Michael Saul Dell''' (born February 23, 1965) is an American billionaire businessman and investor who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of [[Dell Technologies]], one of the world's largest technology infrastructure companies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael Dell Biography |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Michael-Dell |publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> As of 2025, his net worth exceeds $151 billion, making him the 10th-richest person globally according to Bloomberg.<ref>{{cite web |title=Michael Dell Bloomberg Profile |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/michael-s-dell/ |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref> Dell founded [[Dell|PC's Limited]] in 1984 from his University of Texas dorm room with just $1,000 in startup capital, revolutionizing the personal computer industry by selling custom-built PCs directly to consumers.<ref>{{cite news |title=How Michael Dell Built His Empire |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2022/10/04/michael-dell-how-one-of-americas-richest-men-built-his-empire/ |newspaper=Forbes |date=October 4, 2022 |access-date=December 15, 2025}}</ref>


Revision as of 19:00, 15 December 2025

Michael Dell
Dell in 2024
Personal details
Born Michael Saul Dell
1965/2/23 (age 61)
🇺🇸 Houston, Texas, United States
Nationality 🇺🇸 American
Citizenship 🇺🇸 United States
Residence 🇺🇸 Austin, Texas, United States
Languages 🇺🇸 English
Education University of Texas at Austin (dropped out)
Spouse Susan Dell (m. 1989)
Children 4
Parents Alexander Dell (father)
Lorraine Charlotte Dell (mother)
Career details
Occupation Business magnate, investor, philanthropist
Years active 1984–present
Employer Dell Technologies
Title Chairman and CEO of Dell Technologies
Term Dell CEO: 1984–2004, 2007–present
Predecessor Kevin Rollins (2007)
Compensation US$25 million (2023)
Net worth Template:Increase US$120 billion (December 2025, Forbes)
Board member of Dell Technologies
Awards Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (1989)
CEO of the Year, Financial World (1993)
Website dell.com

Michael Saul Dell (born February 23, 1965) is an American billionaire businessman and investor who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell Technologies, one of the world's largest technology infrastructure companies.[1] As of 2025, his net worth exceeds $151 billion, making him the 10th-richest person globally according to Bloomberg.[2] Dell founded PC's Limited in 1984 from his University of Texas dorm room with just $1,000 in startup capital, revolutionizing the personal computer industry by selling custom-built PCs directly to consumers.[3]

Dell made history in 1992 by becoming the youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company at age 27.[4] In 2013, he orchestrated a controversial $25 billion management buyout taking Dell private, followed by the then-largest technology acquisition in history—the $67 billion purchase of EMC Corporation in 2016.[5] He returned Dell to public markets in 2018 through a complex tracking stock transaction.[6]

Through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, established in 1999, he has committed over $2 billion to health and education initiatives.[7]

Early life and education

Michael Saul Dell was born on February 23, 1965, in Houston, Texas, to a Jewish family. His father, Alexander Dell, was an orthodontist, while his mother, Lorraine Charlotte Langfan, worked as a stockbroker.[8]

During his teenage years at Memorial High School in Houston, Dell invested earnings from part-time jobs in stocks. His first significant business venture came while still in high school selling newspaper subscriptions for the Houston Post, generating approximately $18,000 annually.[9]

Upon graduating high school, Dell enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin in 1983 as a pre-med biology student.[10]

Dell Computer Corporation founding

University of Texas dorm room startup (1984)

While studying at UT Austin, Dell began selling upgrade kits for personal computers from his dorm room in the Dobie Center residential building during his freshman year.[11]

In January 1984, he registered his business as "PC's Limited." By May 1984, PC's Limited was generating between $50,000 and $80,000 in monthly sales.[12]

In May 1984, at age 19, Dell dropped out of UT Austin and formally incorporated his business as "Dell Computer Corporation" with just $1,000.[13]

Rapid growth (1984-1992)

Dell Computer's growth was meteoric. First-year revenues reached $6 million.[14]

Dell Computer went public on June 22, 1988, raising $30 million at $8.50 per share, valuing the company at approximately $85 million. Dell was 23 years old.[15]

By 1992, Fortune magazine included Dell Computer in its Fortune 500 rankings, making Michael Dell the youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company at age 27.[16]

Internet pioneer (1996-2004)

In 1996, Dell launched Dell.com, one of the first e-commerce sites allowing customers to configure and purchase computers online. Within a year, Dell.com generated approximately "$1 million in sales per day."[17]

By 2001, Dell had surpassed Compaq to become the world's largest PC maker with 12.8% global market share.[18]

In 2004, Dell stepped down as CEO while remaining chairman. Kevin Rollins succeeded him.[19]

CEO return (2007-2013)

On January 31, 2007, Michael Dell returned as CEO, replacing Rollins.[20]

Going private and EMC acquisition

$25 billion management buyout (2013)

On February 5, 2013, Michael Dell and private equity firm Silver Lake Partners announced a bid to take Dell private in a $24.4 billion management buyout.[21]

The proposal faced opposition from activist investor Carl Icahn.[22] On September 12, 2013, shareholders approved the revised buyout, and Dell officially went private in October 2013.[23]

$67 billion EMC acquisition (2015-2016)

On October 12, 2015, Dell announced it would acquire EMC Corporation for $67 billion in the largest technology sector acquisition in history.[24] The deal closed September 7, 2016, creating Dell Technologies.[25]

Return to public markets (2018)

On December 28, 2018, Dell Technologies returned to public trading on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol DELL.[26]

Personal life

Michael Dell married Susan Lieberman on October 28, 1989, in Austin, Texas. The couple has four children.[27]

Wealth

As of 2025, Michael Dell's net worth exceeds $151 billion, making him the 10th-richest person globally.[28]

In 1998, Dell founded MSD Capital L.P. to manage his family's investments.[29]

Philanthropy

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation has donated over $2.4 billion since 1999, focusing on urban education, childhood health, and family economic stability.[30]

See also

References

  1. ↑ <ref>"Michael Dell Biography".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  2. ↑ <ref>"Michael Dell Bloomberg Profile".Bloomberg.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  3. ↑ <ref>"How Michael Dell Built His Empire".{Template:Newspaper.October 4, 2022.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  4. ↑ <ref>"Dell Becomes Youngest Fortune 500 CEO".{Template:Newspaper.1992.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  5. ↑ <ref>"Dell's $67 Billion EMC Acquisition".{Template:Newspaper.October 12, 2015.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  6. ↑ <ref>"Dell Returns to Public Markets".{Template:Newspaper.December 28, 2018.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  7. ↑ <ref>"Michael & Susan Dell Foundation".Dell Foundation.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  8. ↑ <ref>Direct from Dell.HarperBusiness.ISBN 978-0887309144.</ref>
  9. ↑ <ref>"Michael Dell's Early Business Ventures".{Template:Newspaper.October 1997.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  10. ↑ <ref>"Dell's University of Texas Connection".University of Texas.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  11. ↑ <ref>"Dell Started in a Dorm Room".{Template:Newspaper.October 2015.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  12. ↑ <ref>"The Birth of Dell Computer".{Template:Newspaper.March 8, 2004.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  13. ↑ <ref>"Michael Dell Drops Out, Starts Company".{Template:Newspaper.June 22, 2017.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  14. ↑ <ref>"Dell's First Year Revenue".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  15. ↑ <ref>"Dell Computer IPO".{Template:Newspaper.June 23, 1988.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  16. ↑ <ref>"Dell Enters Fortune 500".{Template:Newspaper.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  17. ↑ <ref>"Dell.com Pioneering E-Commerce".{Template:Newspaper.December 1997.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  18. ↑ <ref>"Dell Becomes World's Largest PC Maker".{Template:Newspaper.October 2001.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  19. ↑ <ref>"Dell Steps Down as CEO".{Template:Newspaper.March 4, 2004.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  20. ↑ <ref>"Michael Dell Returns as CEO".{Template:Newspaper.February 1, 2007.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  21. ↑ <ref>"Dell Going Private".{Template:Newspaper.February 5, 2013.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  22. ↑ <ref>"Carl Icahn Fights Dell Buyout".{Template:Newspaper.May 9, 2013.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  23. ↑ <ref>"Dell Shareholders Approve Buyout".{Template:Newspaper.September 12, 2013.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  24. ↑ <ref>"Dell-EMC $67 Billion Deal".{Template:Newspaper.October 12, 2015.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  25. ↑ <ref>"Dell-EMC Merger Closes".{Template:Newspaper.September 7, 2016.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  26. ↑ <ref>"Dell Returns to NYSE".{Template:Newspaper.December 28, 2018.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  27. ↑ <ref>"Michael Dell's Family".{Template:Newspaper.November 2019.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  28. ↑ <ref>"Bloomberg Billionaires Index".Bloomberg.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  29. ↑ <ref>"MSD Capital".{Template:Newspaper.June 27, 2012.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>
  30. ↑ <ref>"Dell Foundation Impact".Dell Foundation.Retrieved December 15, 2025.</ref>

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