Jeffrey Skoll Net Worth
| Net Worth | $7 billion |
|---|---|
| Salary | N/A |
| Birthdate | January 16, 1965 |
| Birthplace | Montreal, Quebec |
| Gender | Male |
| Height | N/A |
| Profession | Engineer, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist |
| Nationality | Canadian |
Jeffrey Skoll, a Canadian engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is known for his remarkable net worth of $7 billion. He acquired his fortune as the first employee of eBay, which turned him into a multi-billionaire overnight following the company’s blockbuster IPO in September 1998. Despite his immense wealth, Skoll has dedicated the rest of his life and time to philanthropy and film production.
Highlights
- Jeffrey Skoll’s net worth is $7 billion.
- He earned his fortune as the first employee of eBay.
- Skoll has dedicated his life to philanthropy and film production.
- His foundations have given away billions of dollars.
- His film company, Participant Media, has won 18 Oscars out of more than 70 nominations.
Early Life
Jeffrey Skoll was born on January 16, 1965, in Montreal, Quebec. His mother was a teacher and his father ran an industrial chemical company. A pivotal moment in Jeffrey’s life occurred when his father, who had been diagnosed with cancer, expressed regret over not accomplishing everything he had dreamed. This conversation deeply impacted Jeffrey.
Career
Jeffrey Skoll graduated from the University of Toronto with honors in electrical engineering. After backpacking around the world, he launched a computer rental business, which unfortunately faced theft issues from renters. He then started a technical consulting business but eventually decided to pursue further education.
Skoll earned an MBA from Stanford in 1993. During his time at Stanford, he met Pierre Omidyar, an aspiring entrepreneur who later approached Skoll with the idea for an online auction company. Although initially skeptical, Skoll eventually joined Omidyar, and together they launched eBay in September 1995.
Skoll served as eBay’s President and its first employee. The company gained traction and revenue over time. In 1998, eBay went public with an IPO that instantly turned Skoll into a billionaire. He cashed out around $2 billion worth of his equity following the IPO.
A year later, Skoll left eBay to focus on philanthropy full-time. He founded the Skoll Foundation and has transferred over $1 billion worth of his eBay stock to the foundation, which aims to solve large-scale world issues through social entrepreneurship.
Skoll has also founded several for-profit private equity firms that invest in startups and companies dedicated to improving healthcare, climate change, and education.
Personal Life
Jeffrey Skoll was married to entertainment executive Stephanie Swedlove from 2014 to 2019.
Net Worth Over Time
Despite giving billions of dollars to charity, Jeffrey Skoll’s net worth has remained a staggering $7 billion. Skoll’s commitment to philanthropy has been unwavering, and he has indicated his intention to donate all of his money to his foundations by the time of his death.
Components of Net Worth
Jeffrey Skoll’s net worth primarily stems from his early involvement with eBay. Following the IPO, he cashed out a significant portion of his equity, amassing billions of dollars. Additionally, Skoll’s successful investments in startups and public companies through his private equity firms further contribute to his net worth.
Skoll’s relentless dedication to philanthropy and his film production company, Participant Media, both play important roles in his net worth. His foundations, particularly the Skoll Foundation, have received more than $1 billion worth of eBay stock, which he transferred to advance social entrepreneurship. Participant Media’s success in producing socially impactful films has earned the company numerous accolades, including 18 Oscars out of over 70 nominations.
Overall, Jeffrey Skoll’s net worth represents not only his financial achievements but also his commitment to making a positive impact on the world through philanthropy and media.