Who is Eric Schmidt?
Eric Schmidt, born on April 27, 1955, is a household name in the tech world, predominantly recognized for his tenure as the Chairman of Google and its parent company, Alphabet Inc. Married to Wendy Schmidt, he is known not only for his technological prowess but also his philanthropic pursuits.
Key Takeaways
- Eric Schmidt is best known for his role as the former Chairman of Google and Alphabet Inc.
- His professional journey began at Sun Microsystems and spanned various tech companies, including Novell.
- He currently serves as a technical advisor to Alphabet.
- Schmidt became one of the “Google Billionaires” through salary, bonuses, and shares in Google/Alphabet Inc.
- His net worth is estimated to be around $21 billion.
- Together with his wife Wendy, Eric is an active philanthropist, primarily through the Schmidt Family Foundation.
- He is owner of the yacht LEGEND, and also tried to buy the Alfa Nero yacht in an auction.
- He is also owner of the former Lurssen Kismet, now named WHISPER.
Eric Schmidt’s Educational and Professional Journey
Schmidt embarked on his academic journey at Yorktown High School before attending Princeton University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. His professional trajectory started at Sun Microsystems in 1983, where he served as its first software manager. Over the span of 14 years, Schmidt, leveraging his software engineering skills, ascended to become the president of Sun Technology Enterprises.
Achievements as CEO and Chairman
In April 1997, Schmidt’s career took a turn when he assumed the roles of CEO and chairman of the board at Novell. Although he departed Novell following the acquisition of Cambridge Technology Partners, this experience paved the way for his future role at Google. In 2011, Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin entrusted Schmidt to guide Google’s growth, cementing his place as a leading figure in the tech industry.
Eric Schmidt’s Current Role at Alphabet
Although no longer serving as Chairman, Schmidt remains actively involved with Alphabet, acting as a technical advisor to the company. Alphabet, Google’s parent company, continues to benefit from his wealth of experience and insights.
Financial Success at Google
Schmidt’s initial salary at Google was $250,000, supplemented by an annual performance bonus. However, the grant of several million shares and options significantly elevated his financial status, earning him the title of a “Google Billionaire”. As of early 2020, Schmidt owned approximately 4 million shares in Google/Alphabet Inc. Additionally, he received a generous $100 million parting gift from Google in 2011.
Eric Schmidt’s Net Worth
With his numerous achievements and sound investments, Eric Schmidt’s net worth has been estimated to be around $24 billion.
Philanthropic Endeavors of Eric and Wendy Schmidt
Apart from his tech ventures, Eric Schmidt, together with his wife Wendy, actively contributes to philanthropic causes. Their generosity finds an outlet through the Schmidt Family Foundation. According to 2012 annual accounts, the foundation has amassed assets exceeding USD 300 million.
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