Michael Dell

Michael Dell was born on February 23, 1965, in Houston, Texas, U.S. He is the founder of Dell Inc., a prominent technology company.

At 3 years old, Michael Dell was living with his two brothers in Houston, Texas, in front of the house where he grew up.

At the age of 7, Michael Dell bought his first calculator.

Michael Dell underwent equivalency testing to obtain his high school diploma.

At the age of 15, he acquired his first computer, an Apple II, after experimenting with computers at Radio Shack. He disassembled it immediately to understand its functioning.

In November 1983, Michael Dell's parents urged him to focus on his studies instead of his computer business. However, this led him to realize his passion for the business, prompting him to start a company. Despite his parents' disapproval, Dell secretly embarked on the journey to establish Dell Inc.

The establishment of PC's Limited, a company founded by Michael Dell that later became Dell Inc., a major player in the computer industry.

In 1986, PC's Limited, later known as Dell, started offering the first toll-free technical support service in the computer industry, a practice that became widely adopted.

In 1987, Dell, a three-year-old company with limited capital and not yet public, expanded its operations by launching in the United Kingdom.

In 1988, Michael Dell's company PC's Limited transitioned to Dell Computer Corporation, marking a significant milestone in the history of the company.

Michael Dell married Susan Lieberman on October 28, 1989 in Austin, Texas.

In 1992, Michael Dell became the youngest CEO ever to earn a ranking on the Fortune 500, showcasing his astute business vision and leadership skills.

In 1993, Dell faced challenges due to rapid growth, with revenues increasing from 150 million in 1988 to almost two billion by 1993. The company struggled to keep up with the expansion, leading to issues with infrastructure and processes.

At the age of 27, Michael Dell became the youngest CEO to have his company ranked in Fortune magazine's list of the top 500 corporations.

Michael Dell's team created The Olympic project, which introduced a new computer architecture with advanced capabilities in server and workstation opportunities. However, the project proved to be too challenging for the team and ahead of its time for customers, leading to a valuable lesson in focusing on relevant and valuable technology for customers.

MSD Capital L. P. was established by Michael Dell.

Michael Dell founded MSD Capital L.P. to manage his and his family's investments, including publicly-traded securities, private equity activities, and real estate.

In the first quarter of 2001, Dell Inc. reached a world market share of 12.8 percent, surpassing Compaq to become the world's largest PC maker.

On March 4, 2004, Michael Dell stepped down as CEO of Dell Inc., but remained as chairman of the board.

In 2005 Forbes magazine identified Michael Dell as the fourth richest man in the United States.

In 2006, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation donated $50 million to the University of Texas at Austin. This generous contribution aimed to support educational initiatives and enhance opportunities for students at the university.

On January 31, 2007, Michael Dell reassumes the role of Chief Executive Officer at Dell Inc. after stepping down from the position earlier.

On July 3, 2008, an interview with Michael Dell took place in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, where he discussed his involvement with computers, starting his own business at a young age, and his early experiences with PCs.

In July 2010, Michael Dell agreed to pay over $100 million in penalties to settle charges of accounting fraud filed by the Security and Exchange Commission. Dell Computer had inflated its earnings statements by counting rebates from Intel.

Michael Dell resumed his position as the Chief Executive Officer of Dell Computers Corporation on April 1, 2011.

In January 2013, Michael Dell announced a bid to take Dell Inc. private for $24.4 billion, marking the biggest management buyout since the Great Recession.

In February 2013, Michael Dell announced the decision to take Dell Inc. private again through a buyout deal valued at billions of dollars. The move aimed to address challenges faced by the company in the PC market.

In October 2013, Dell Inc. officially went private following Michael Dell's bid, transitioning the company's ownership structure.

On October 12, 2015, Dell Inc. announced its intent to acquire EMC Corporation for $67 billion, marking one of the highest-valued tech acquisitions in history.

In 2016, Michael Dell orchestrated the largest technology deal in history by combining Dell, EMC, and VMware, reshaping the landscape of the tech industry.

In February 2018, it was reported that Michael Dell had paid $100.5 million for Manhattan's One57 penthouse, setting a record for the most expensive home ever sold in the city at that time.

In December 2018, Dell Inc. once again went public, changing its ownership status back to a publicly traded company.

On August 3, 2021, Michael Dell was featured on the Forbes cover, highlighting his successful comeback in the tech industry with a $100 billion M&A spree that built him a $50 billion fortune. The article mentions his future plans that do not involve space.

Michael Dell discussed his career and the impact of technology on society in an interview. He highlighted the importance of working with smart people and embracing technological changes.

On March 1, 2024, Michael Dell's net worth crossed the $100 billion mark after Dell, Inc. reported an earnings beat, making him the 12th richest person at that time.