14 DAY TRIAL // Forbes released this month its well-known list of the world’s billionaires. Apple’s chairman holds the 136 spot in this hierarchy. As Forbes relates, Apple’s executive currently has a net worth of approximately $5.5 billion. His impressive fortune is due to smart-oriented investments in Apple and Pixar, a company bought from George Lucas in 1986 for $10 million (created string of hits like Finding Nemo and Toy Story). In 2006, he sold Pixar to Disney for $7.4 billion in stock and, today, it is Disney's largest shareholder, Forbes also reports.
Forbes’ posted arguments for assigning Jobs this certain spot on the list were the following: “Following months of rumor and speculation, cultish king of the iGeeks presented the highly anticipated iPad in January; ten-inch, multi-touch computer intended to fill gap between smartphone and laptop. Delighted: nerds everywhere. Scared to death: newspaper and magazine publishers. Also unveiled new iBookstore and iBooks application in direct challenge to Amazon's Kindle; several book publishers have committed to content agreements. Apple shares up 100% in past 12 months. Reed College dropout founded Apple in 1976. Revolutionized music industry with iTunes, iPod. Best investment: bought Pixar from George Lucas in 1986 for $10 million. Created string of hits (Finding Nemo, Toy Story); sold to Disney in 2006 for $7.4 billion in stock. Today is Disney's largest shareholder; stake worth $4.2 billion.”
Several other important names are listed: Michael Dell on the 37th spot with a net worth of $13,5 billion, Steve Ballmer on the 33rd place and Bill Gates dropping on the second spot, while Carlos Slim, Mexico’s wireless mammoth, has taken the lead with a $53.5-billion net worth. Sergey Brin, Larry Page and Eric Schmidt, Google’s owners, are also featured in the rankings.
In 2009, the 55-year-old head of the Apple empire held the 43rd spot in Forbes’ list of the wealthiest American business men. The report also indicates that Jobs may be working on a biography with author Walter Isaacson.