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Jimmy Wales Net Worth and Salary
Jimmy Wales, an American-British entrepreneur, is renowned for co-founding Wikipedia, the online non-profit encyclopedia, and Wikia, a for-profit web-hosting company. Born on August 7, 1966, in Huntsville, Alabama, Wales has had a significant impact on the internet and information sharing. While his net worth is currently estimated at $1.5 million, there’s more to his story than just his financial success.
Table: Jimmy Wales’ Financial Profile
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
|---|---|
| Salary | $0 |
| Birthdate | August 7, 1966 |
| Birthplace | Huntsville, Alabama |
| Gender | Male |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Businessperson, Internet Entrepreneur, Trader |
| Nationality | United States of America |
Highlights
Despite his immense contributions to the internet and the widespread influence of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales’ net worth is relatively modest. With a net worth of $1.5 million, he is far from being a billionaire. However, the impact he has had on the world of knowledge sharing is immeasurable. As one of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World” according to Time magazine, Wales has left an indelible mark that extends beyond financial success.
Early Life and Education
Jimmy Wales was born in Huntsville, Alabama, to parents Jimmy Sr. and Doris Ann. His passion for knowledge and encyclopedias began during his childhood, where he recognized the need for more comprehensive and accessible information sources. After completing his early education at a private school founded by his mother, Wales attended Randolph School, a preparatory school that provided him with an excellent education. He graduated at the age of 16 and pursued a bachelor’s degree in finance at Auburn University. Though he later joined a PhD program at the University of Alabama, Wales eventually transferred to Indiana University without completing his dissertation.
Career and Impact
After working in finance at Chicago Options Associates, Wales developed a keen interest in computer code, leading him to co-found Bomis, a web portal and search engine aimed at a male audience. While Bomis was not a resounding success, it laid the groundwork for Wales’ next venture – the creation of an online encyclopedia.
In collaboration with Larry Sanger, Wales launched Nupedia in 2000, an online encyclopedia that aimed to provide high-quality, expert-written content. However, the rigorous review process hindered the platform’s growth. Stepping in with an innovative solution, Wales introduced the wiki model, which allowed for collaborative editing. This marked the birth of Wikipedia, which quickly gained popularity and outshone Nupedia in terms of content volume.
Wales founded the Wikimedia Foundation, a non-profit organization responsible for managing Wikipedia’s intellectual property rights and domain names. Additionally, he founded Wikia, a for-profit company offering hosting for individual wikis.
Jimmy Wales’ career extends beyond his involvement with Wikipedia and Wikia. He has actively engaged in political discussions concerning internet freedom and privacy. His impressive achievements have led to numerous awards and recognition, such as being appointed a co-chair of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and receiving honorary degrees from various universities.
Personal Life
Wales has been married three times. His first marriage, to Pamela Green, ended in divorce in 1993. He later married Christine Rohan, with whom he had a daughter before separating in 2008. In a brief and controversial period, Wales was involved with conservative columnist Rachel Marsden. However, he found lasting love with Kate Garvey, whom he married in 2012. The couple has two daughters and currently resides in London.
Beyond his professional ventures, Wales enjoys cooking, philosophy, and identifies as an Objectivist. His political views lean towards the center-right, and he attributes influences from economists Friedrich Hayek and Ayn Rand in shaping his perspectives.
Net Worth Over Time
Jimmy Wales’ net worth has faced significant variations throughout his career due to the nature of his involvement with non-profit and for-profit ventures. While his current net worth stands at $1.5 million, it should be noted that if Wikipedia had adopted a for-profit model, it could potentially be worth over $10 billion today. Nevertheless, Wales remains focused on the impact and importance of his work rather than personal financial gain.
Components of Net Worth
Jimmy Wales’ net worth primarily consists of his holdings in various ventures, including Wikipedia and Wikia. Additionally, his involvement in internet-related projects, participation in boards, honorary degrees, and speaking engagements contribute to his overall financial profile. However, given his dedication to non-profit initiatives, Wales’ net worth does not reflect the immense value he has created through his contributions to knowledge sharing and accessible information.
In conclusion, Jimmy Wales, a prominent entrepreneur and co-founder of Wikipedia, has made significant contributions to the internet and knowledge sharing. Despite his net worth being currently estimated at $1.5 million, his impact on the world is immeasurable. Wales’ journey from his early life in Alabama to the creation of Wikipedia showcases his determination to provide accessible and comprehensive information to people worldwide.
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