Steve Ballmer surpassed Bill Gates to become the sixth-richest person globally, as Microsoft shares hit a record high, gaining 21% this year. Ballmer's net worth reached $157.2 billion, mostly in Microsoft shares, while Gates' diversified $156.7 billion fortune includes investments through Cascade Investment. Gates' wealth has reduced due to philanthropy, having donated nearly $60 billion to the Gates Foundation. Ballmer, who hasn't signed the Giving Pledge, focuses on smaller-scale philanthropic efforts. He succeeded Gates as Microsoft's CEO in 2000 and retired in 2014, later buying the Los Angeles Clippers.
