Michael Dell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Dell
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Dell in 2021
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Michael Saul Dell
February 23, 1965 Houston, Texas, U.S.
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| Alma mater | University of Texas at Austin (dropped out) |
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Susan Lynn Lieberman
(m. 1989) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Adam Dell (brother) |
Michael Dell is a very successful American businessman and investor. He was born on February 23, 1965. He is best known as the founder, chairman, and CEO of Dell Technologies. This company is one of the biggest technology companies in the world.
As of May 2025, Michael Dell is one of the richest people globally. His wealth comes from his large ownership in Dell and other investments.
In 2013, Michael Dell made a big move to take Dell Inc. private. This meant the company was no longer traded on the stock market. It became a private company in October 2013. However, in December 2018, Dell Inc. became a public company again.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Michael Dell was born in 1965 in Houston, Texas. His mom was a stockbroker, and his dad was an orthodontist. Even when he was young, Michael showed a strong interest in business.
When he was just eight years old, he tried to take a high school test to start working early. As a teenager, he invested money he earned from part-time jobs. He put his money into things like stocks and valuable metals.
Michael went to Memorial High School. During the summer, he sold newspaper subscriptions. His parents wanted him to become a doctor. So, in 1983, he started studying medicine at the University of Texas.
But Michael kept finding smart ways to sell newspapers. He learned that newlyweds and people moving to new homes were most likely to buy subscriptions. He got their contact information from public records. Then, he sent them letters directly. He earned $18,000 in one year from this. He even hired people to help him. After making almost $200,000 in his first year, Michael Dell decided to leave college at age 19.
Building a Tech Empire
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While he was still a freshman in college, Michael Dell started a small business. He would put together and sell computer upgrade kits. He worked out of his dorm room. He got a special license to bid on contracts for the State of Texas. He could offer lower prices because he didn't have the costs of a regular computer store.
In January 1984, Michael realized he could save money by selling computers directly to customers. This was different from selling them in stores. He named his company "PC's Limited." He started in a small apartment. He sold computer upgrades and parts.
Dell's main idea was to build computers only after someone ordered them. This helped him save money. In May, he officially named his company "Dell Computer Corporation." He moved to a business center. The company started with only $1,000.
In 1992, when he was just 27, Michael Dell became the youngest CEO. His company was listed in Fortune magazine's list of the top 500 companies. In 1996, Dell started selling computers online. That same year, his company launched its first servers. By 1997, Dell Inc. was making about $1 million in sales every day from its website.
By early 2001, Dell Inc. became the world's largest PC maker. They passed Compaq, which had been number one for seven years. Dell's sales of desktops, laptops, and servers grew a lot.
On March 4, 2004, Michael Dell stepped down as CEO. He remained the chairman of the board. But on January 31, 2007, the board asked him to come back as CEO.
In 2013, Michael Dell worked with other companies to take Dell, Inc. private again. This was a huge deal worth about $25 billion. He gained a 75% ownership in the company.
On October 12, 2015, Dell Inc. announced it would buy EMC Corporation. This was a company that made software and storage for businesses. This deal was worth $67 billion. It was one of the biggest tech purchases ever. The deal was completed on September 7, 2016.
In May 2024, Dell announced a partnership with Nvidia and ServiceNow. They plan to create "AI factories." These will help businesses use powerful AI tools.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Dell has received many awards for his business success.
- Inc. magazine named him "Entrepreneur of the Year" when he was 24.
- Worth magazine called him the "Top CEO in American Business."
- He was also named "CEO of the Year" by Financial World, IndustryWeek, and Chief Executive magazines.
- In 1998, he received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement.
- In 2013, he received the Franklin Institute's Bower Award for Business Leadership.
Important Groups and Councils
Michael Dell is part of several important groups. He serves on the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum. He is also on the executive committee of the International Business Council. He is a member of the U.S. Business Council.
He used to be a member of the U.S. President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. In April 2020, he was named to the Strike Force to Open Texas. This group worked on safely reopening the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also advises the COVID-19 Technology Task Force. This group works on tech solutions for the pandemic.
Books by Michael Dell
Michael Dell has written two books about his experiences:
- His first book, Direct from Dell: Strategies That Revolutionized an Industry, came out in 1999. It tells the story of his early life, how his company started, grew, and learned from mistakes.
- His second book, Play Nice But Win: A CEO's Journey from Founder to Leader, was published more recently. It shares stories about the challenges he faced as a leader.
Family Life
Michael Dell married Susan Lieberman on October 28, 1989. They live in Austin, Texas, with their four children.
Giving Back: Wealth and Charity
In 1998, Michael Dell started MSD Capital L.P. This company manages his family's investments. It was later renamed DFO Management.
In 1999, Michael and Susan Dell created the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. This foundation helps people by focusing on important causes. These causes include health and education.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Dell para niños
