Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple, is widely regarded as the creative and technical genius behind the company’s early success.
Although his business partner Steve Jobs often received more of the spotlight, Wozniak was the brains behind the design of the iconic Apple I and Apple II computers.
However, Wozniak’s wealth might be surprising to many considering his critical role at Apple. While he remains a symbol of the company’s origin, his wealth is considerably less than many tech moguls of today.
As of 2025, Wozniak’s net worth is estimated at around $140 million, according to sources such as Business Insider and Money Control.
However, more dubious websites like Celebrity Net Worth peg it at just $10 million, though this is likely a conservative estimate.
While these figures are already significant, they fall far short of the wealth Wozniak could have accumulated had he held onto his Apple stock.
Back in the 1980s, Wozniak owned around 8.7% of Apple’s stock before the company went public in 1980. Had he held onto those shares, his net worth today would be in the tens of billions, potentially making him one of the richest people on the planet.
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Apple Shares: What Would They Be Worth Today?
Before Apple’s IPO, Wozniak owned about 8.7% of the company’s shares, amounting to approximately 3.99 million shares by the time the company went public.
At Apple’s IPO price of $22 per share, Wozniak’s stake was worth around $87.7 million. By January 1985, when he left the company, Apple stock had risen to approximately $29 per share, making his 7% stake worth around $115.7 million.
If Wozniak had kept his stock, it would be worth over $258 billion today, assuming he maintained his 7% stake. If he had held onto his original 8.7% stake from 1980, his shares would be valued at over $321 billion today.
This amount would place him among the richest individuals globally, even surpassing tech moguls like Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg.
Career with Apple
Wozniak played a pivotal role in Apple’s early success by designing the Apple I and Apple II computers. The Apple II, in particular, was the first true personal computer with color graphics, making it a groundbreaking product in the tech industry.
Despite his critical contributions, Wozniak stepped away from Apple after a tragic plane crash in 1981 left him with physical injuries and memory loss. His break from Apple allowed him to pursue education at UC Berkeley and other personal projects.
In 1985, after growing disillusioned with Apple’s direction under Jobs, Wozniak left the company and sold most of his shares.
Since then, he has remained involved in various ventures but without the immense wealth that could have resulted from retaining his Apple shares.
What is Steve Wozniak Doing Today?
At 70 years old, Wozniak continues to stay active in the tech world. While he no longer has a formal role at Apple, he serves as a “Fellow” and makes public appearances representing the brand.
These days, he is more focused on his passions, like his space tech company, Privateer. Founded in 2021, Privateer aims to reduce overcrowding in Earth’s orbit by providing a platform for organizations to share satellites.
Wozniak also continues to deliver commencement addresses at universities, including UC Berkeley and CU Boulder, where he shared his insights on technology and the rise of artificial intelligence.
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Additionally, he participates as a judge on the startup-funding show Unicorn Hunters.
Despite his reduced involvement with Apple, Wozniak’s legacy in the tech world remains monumental.
His contributions to the development of personal computing helped lay the foundation for the modern technology landscape.
