A Look at Steve Jobs' Net Worth and His Inheritance

August 24, 2025 | 05:16 pm

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - At the time of his death, Steve Jobs’ net worth was estimated at US$10.2 billion, a fortune built on his transformative contributions to mainstream technology. As one of the co-founders of Apple, Jobs’ life was centered around revolutionizing the computer industry, which further cemented his name among the world’s most prominent business leaders.

With the upcoming release of the iPhone 17, let’s take a look at Steve Jobs’ fortune throughout his career with data from CelebrityNetWorth, The Street, She Knows, and Fortune. 

Was Steve Jobs’ Net Worth Built Solely on Apple Shares? 

Steve Jobs became a millionaire at just 23, two years before Apple went public in 1980. From that point on, he poured his energy into shaping a technological empire, revolutionizing the world with groundbreaking innovations like the iPhone, iPad, and iMac.

Despite popular belief, his fortune wasn’t exclusively tied to Apple. After a bitter internal power struggle forced him out of the company in 1985, what seemed like a downfall became the launchpad for one of his most profitable ventures.

A year later, Jobs purchased Lucasfilm’s computer graphics division for US$10 million, known to be a modest acquisition that would evolve into Pixar. Under his leadership, Pixar grew into a powerhouse, and when he sold it to Disney in 2007, Jobs received US$138 million in Disney shares.

By the end of his career, Jobs’ net worth was built not just on his US$2 billion stake in Apple, but also on his massive US$8 billion stake in Disney, sealing his reputation as a visionary whose impact reached well beyond Silicon Valley.

What Happened to Steve Jobs’ Inheritance? 

When Steve Jobs passed away in 2011, he left an estimated US$10.2 billion fortune of net worth to his wife, Laurene Powell Jobs. However, the American businesswoman has made it clear that Steve Jobs’ wealth won’t continue to the late billionaire’s offspring. 

In an interview with The New York Times, Laurene reasoned, “It's not right for individuals to accumulate a massive amount of wealth that's equivalent to millions and millions of other people combined,” in which she then added, “There’s nothing fair about that.”

During her marriage to Steve, Laurene had three children: a son, Reed, and two daughters, Erin and Eve. She opined that all of them have to earn their places outside of their parents’ legacies. 

Laurene shared the philosophy behind this decision, saying, “I am doing this in honor of his work, and I've dedicated my life to doing the very best I can to distribute it effectively, in ways that lift up individuals and communities in a sustainable way.”

How Much Would Steve Jobs Be Worth Today?

Analysts speculate that if Steve Jobs were still alive, his fortune could easily surpass US$42 billion. If he had retained his original 15% stake in Apple, which was valued at US$31.6 billion at the time of his passing, that stake would have skyrocketed to an astonishing US$465 billion in 2025. This underscores just how immense his wealth might have become.

Ultimately, Steve Jobs’ net worth tells only part of the story. Beyond the billions in Apple and Disney shares, his greatest legacy is the innovation that reshaped technology and continues to inspire the world today. For an inspiring comparison, check out Jensen Huang’s net worth here. 

Editor’s Choice: Warren Buffett's Net Worth 2025: How Much Is His Wealth After Retirement?

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