Whether you say ‘they were born with a silver spoon’ or ‘their fortune favored a bit too much’, the folk-tale of people who are ahead of the game has always been distinct. Today we are a part of the fortunate era where the latest innovation becomes obsolete within few days and, in spite of such cut-throat tech war, there are such legends who were able to capture the global market and the heart of the world (hearts of the millions) with their inspirational, suave and ground-breaking technological contributions. And their love and passion wasn't just limited to the work/tech area alone; in fact, they created a legacy that could be looked upon and talked about for years to come. Their family and friends were even more fortunate to know such pioneers in person. So, while they left the world with amazing gadgets, their families inherited the name, fame and the fortune.
Below we've listed such incredible tech wizards who indeed left their heirs a fortune in a way that might never be dusted upon. Take a look!
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1. Steve Jobs
Achievements
Larger than life, Steve Paul Jobs (February 24, 1955 to October 5, 2011) was an extremely revered American businessman and inventor. The man with conviction was widely recognized as an inspirational, magnetic pioneer of the personal computer revolution who not only transmogrified the way people communicate, but also elevated the technological standards by large. Steve was Co-founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Apple Inc. Prior to which, Jobs served as a chief executive for Pixar Animation Studios and eventually became a prominent member of the board of directors of The Walt Disney Company in 2006.
Fortune
As CEO of Apple, Steve earned only $1 a year but strongly held 5.426 million Apple shares and 138 million shares in Disney (which he later acquired for Disney's acquisition of Pixar). He quipped that his wage of $1 per annum by Apple was based on attending one meeting for 50 cents whereas the other 50 cents was due to the performance. Forbes, however, guesstimated that Steve’s net wealth rounded up at $8.3 billion in 2010, making him the 42nd wealthiest American.
Heirs
The tech wizard, Steve Jobs left $6.78 billion of stock in both Apple and Disney most likely to his wife and family. Laurene Powell Jobs, Jobs widow, nevertheless may not have a better time to merchandise billions of stock and thwart $867 million in capital gains taxes.
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2. John Roberts Opel
Achievements
Born on January 5, 1925, John Roberts Paul was a renowned United States computer businessman and President of IBM between 1974-85. After serving as the successful Chairman of IBM between 1983-86, the charismatic tech wizard innovated an operating system for IBM’s first personal computer. Subsequent to which, the success spree continued to exist.
Fortune
Roberts Opel made a fortune by acquiring the Time Magazine cover on July 11, 1983, for a story entitled, ‘The Colossus That Works: Big Is Bountiful at IBM’. According to Time, the company’s earnings reached the $4.4 billion on sales of $34.4 billion – making IBM the most profitable U.S. industrial company in the year of 1982.
Heirs
Opel died on November 3, 2011 in Ft. Myers, Fla. John Roberts Opel left behind his wife (56), five children and 15 grandchildren.
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3. Robert William
Achievements
Robert William Galvin was an amazingly powerful US executive who lived from October 9, 1922 to October 11, 2011. The man with determination and passion was the son of Paul Galvin – Motorola’s Founder, and served successfully from 1959 to 1986. In 1956, however, William ‘Bob’ Galvin was entitled as the President of the Company. Two years later, Robert made a fortune as chief executive officer.
Fortune
After carving a niche, Robert William gave an incredible boost to Motorola sales, taking it from $216.6 million in 1958 to $6.7 billion in 1987. The tech wizard indeed changed the scenario by growing the cash flow per share from 89 cents to $6.10. Besides all these, in alliance with Bill Smith (Motorola engineer), he also implemented the Six Sigma quality system at Motorola.
Heirs
Robert William Galvin resided in Barrington, Illinois with Mary Barnes Galvin (his wife). He's survived by his wife, four children and thirteen grandchildren.
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4. Norio Ohga
Achievements
Born on January 29, 1930, Norio Ohga latched on massive recognition as the former president and chairman of Sony Corporation. The tech wizard transformed the segment of technology through significant contributions and spurred the development of the compact disc as a commercially viable audio format.
Fortune
The charismatic persona emerged as the principal architect of Sony and pulled off well in serving consumers with avant garde consumer electronics gear and gizmos dedicated to music and movies. Norio Ohga shone the brightest when Sony merchandized CBS Records for $2 billion in 1988. After a year of which, the company bought Columbia Pictures for $3.4 billion.
Heirs
Ohga breathed his last on April 23, 2011, Ohga is survived by his wife, Midori.
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5. John D. Goeken
Achievements
John D. Goeken, who was born on August 22, 1930 and died on September 16, 2010. He is another tech wizard who left his heirs a fortune. Goeken was an incredibly well-known prolific telecommunications entrepreneur and also the original founder of Microwave Communications Inc.
Fortune
MCI WorldCom acquires noteworthy revenue of over $30 billion and strongly conjugates financial strength and a depth of resources. Today, the company has evolved to render the best growth opportunities with an advanced global network built for the data-intensive era of communications.
Heirs
John D. Goeken has left behind his wife of 59 years Mona Lisa Goeken, his daughter Sandra Goeken Miles, and a son John. Goeken also has seven grandchildren.
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6. Robert Noyce
Achievements
Robert Norton Noyce was born on December 12, 1927 and lived till June 3, 1990. Noyce was the co-founder of Fairchild Semiconductor and co-established Intel Corporation in the year of 1968. Also known as 'The Mayor of Silicon Valley’, he invented the microchip or integrated circuit which fuelled or drove the personal computer revolution to heights.
Fortune
Robert Noyce’s net worth was estimated at about $3.7 billion.
Heirs
Robert Noyce left behind his wife Elizabeth Bottomley (who he married in 1953), son Bill, daughter Penny Noyce. He had also married Ann Bowers in the year of 1975. We uncertain about how the fortune was distributed.
