S teve Ballmer is an American businessman who is best known for his long and energetic tenure as the CEO of Microsoft. He was a classmate of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates at Harvard University. In 1980, he dropped out of Stanford's MBA program to join his friend's small software company as its 30th employee and first business manager. He rose through the ranks and, in 2000, succeeded Gates as CEO, a role he held until his retirement in 2014.

During his time as CEO, Microsoft's revenues tripled, and its profits doubled, as he oversaw the launch of major products like the Xbox gaming console and the expansion of the company's enterprise software business. However, his tenure was also criticized for missing key technological shifts, particularly the rise of mobile computing with the iPhone and Android. His immense wealth is derived from his large ownership stake in Microsoft, which has soared in value in the years since his departure. After retiring, he purchased the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA for a then-record $2 billion. He is known for his famously boisterous and passionate personality.