Steve Jobs left his wife a fortune - photos of Laurene Powell Jobs' yacht, NBA team, and NHL team show what $21 billion buys

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Steve Jobs left his wife a fortune - photos of Laurene Powell Jobs' yacht, NBA team, and NHL team show what $21 billion buys

Laurene Powell Jobs

JStone/Shutterstock

Laurene Powell met Steve Jobs in college.

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  • Laurene Powell Jobs is the wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
  • She has become a powerful investor and has a net worth of $21.3 billion, according to Forbes.
  • Some of her projects range from environmental committees to acquiring a majority stake in an influential US magazine.


Laurene Powell Jobs has become an influential and formidable presence in the investing world.

And she ranks among the richest women in the world, with a net worth of $21.3 billion, according to Forbes.

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Upon her husband's death in 2011, Powell Jobs inherited his fortune - primarily shares of Apple and Disney.

Here's a look at the life of the businesswoman and philanthropist:

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Laurene Powell Jobs was born in West Milford, New Jersey in 1963.

Laurene Powell Jobs was born in West Milford, New Jersey in 1963.

Source: Vogue

Her father, a pilot, died in a plane collision when she was 3 years old, and her mother later remarried.

Her father, a pilot, died in a plane collision when she was 3 years old, and her mother later remarried.

Source: Vogue

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Powell Jobs double-majored in political science and economics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Powell Jobs double-majored in political science and economics at the University of Pennsylvania.

Source: New York Times, Stanford

After graduating, she worked on Wall Street for Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs before heading west to earn her MBA.

After graduating, she worked on Wall Street for Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs before heading west to earn her MBA.

Source: New York Times, Stanford

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She enrolled in Stanford’s Graduate School of Business in 1989.

She enrolled in Stanford’s Graduate School of Business in 1989.

Source: New York Times, Stanford

That's where she met her future husband, Steve Jobs.

That's where she met her future husband, Steve Jobs.

Sources: The New York Times, International Business Times

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According to Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve, Powell Jobs got dragged along to a campus event by a friend.

According to Walter Isaacson's biography of Steve, Powell Jobs got dragged along to a campus event by a friend.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

It turned out to be a guest lecture by Jobs.

It turned out to be a guest lecture by Jobs.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

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"I knew that Steve Jobs was the speaker, but the face I thought of was that of Bill Gates," Powell Jobs told Isaacson. "I had them mixed up."

"I knew that Steve Jobs was the speaker, but the face I thought of was that of Bill Gates," Powell Jobs told Isaacson. "I had them mixed up."

Source: "Steve Jobs"

"This was 1989," Powell Jobs added. "He was working at NeXT, and he was not that big of a deal to me. I wasn't that enthused, but my friend was, so we went."

"This was 1989," Powell Jobs added. "He was working at NeXT, and he was not that big of a deal to me. I wasn't that enthused, but my friend was, so we went."

Source: "Steve Jobs"

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The pair arrived late, and were told they couldn't just sit in the aisle. Powell Jobs and her friend ended up sneaking into the reserved seats at the front of the hall.

The pair arrived late, and were told they couldn't just sit in the aisle. Powell Jobs and her friend ended up sneaking into the reserved seats at the front of the hall.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

Jobs ended up sitting next to his future wife. "I looked to my right and there was a beautiful girl there, so we started chatting while I was waiting to be introduced," Jobs said.

Jobs ended up sitting next to his future wife. "I looked to my right and there was a beautiful girl there, so we started chatting while I was waiting to be introduced," Jobs said.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

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Powell Jobs joked that she was sitting up front because she'd won a raffle. The prize also included a dinner with Jobs.

Powell Jobs joked that she was sitting up front because she'd won a raffle. The prize also included a dinner with Jobs.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

Jobs finished the lecture, and chased after his future wife, who had already walked out of the hall.

Jobs finished the lecture, and chased after his future wife, who had already walked out of the hall.

Sources: The New York Times, International Business Times, "Steve Jobs"

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The Apple founder found Powell Jobs in the parking lot, and asked her about the raffle. She agreed to go to dinner with him on that Saturday, and they exchanged numbers.

The Apple founder found Powell Jobs in the parking lot, and asked her about the raffle. She agreed to go to dinner with him on that Saturday, and they exchanged numbers.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

Jobs prepared to leave for a work dinner, but then though better of it and returned to Powell Jobs. He asked if she'd like to go to dinner that night.

Jobs prepared to leave for a work dinner, but then though better of it and returned to Powell Jobs. He asked if she'd like to go to dinner that night.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

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She agreed, and they headed off to a nearby restaurant called St. Michael's Alley.

She agreed, and they headed off to a nearby restaurant called St. Michael's Alley.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

While Jobs' NeXT colleagues waited for their boss to show up ...

While Jobs' NeXT colleagues waited for their boss to show up ...

Source: "Steve Jobs"

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... the tech founder and Powell Jobs spent four hours at the restaurant.

... the tech founder and Powell Jobs spent four hours at the restaurant.

Source: "Steve Jobs"

The couple remained together after that night.

The couple remained together after that night.

Sources: The New York Times, International Business Times

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They married in March of 1991 at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park.

They married in March of 1991 at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park.

Source: International Business Times, Vogue

The couple had three children: Reed, Erin, and Eve.

The couple had three children: Reed, Erin, and Eve.

Source: International Business Times, Vogue

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When Jobs died from cancer in 2011, his wife inherited his wealth — including 5.5 million shares of Apple stock and a 7.3% stake in The Walt Disney Company. The inheritance left Powell Jobs a billionaire.

When Jobs died from cancer in 2011, his wife inherited his wealth — including 5.5 million shares of Apple stock and a 7.3% stake in The Walt Disney Company. The inheritance left Powell Jobs a billionaire.

Her stake in Disney initially made her the company's largest individual shareholder, but as of 2017 she has reduced her stake by half, according to Variety.

Her stake in Disney initially made her the company's largest individual shareholder, but as of 2017 she has reduced her stake by half, according to Variety.

Sources: Business Insider, Variety

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Powell Jobs has had a strong focus on philanthropy.

Powell Jobs has had a strong focus on philanthropy.

Source: The New York Times

“In the broadest sense, we want to use our knowledge and our network and our relationships to try to effect the greatest amount of good,” she told The New York Times in 2013.

“In the broadest sense, we want to use our knowledge and our network and our relationships to try to effect the greatest amount of good,” she told The New York Times in 2013.

Source: The New York Times

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In the early '90s, she cofounded Terravera, a natural-food company aimed at developing organic raw materials, such as legumes and grains, for the food and feed industries.

In the early '90s, she cofounded Terravera, a natural-food company aimed at developing organic raw materials, such as legumes and grains, for the food and feed industries.

Sources: Terravera, Vogue

She later backed off from Terravera to spend more time tutoring and raising her growing family.

She later backed off from Terravera to spend more time tutoring and raising her growing family.

Sources: Terravera, Vogue

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In 1997, Powell Jobs founded College Track, a storefront nonprofit organization that helps prepare low-income students for college through tutoring and mentoring.

In 1997, Powell Jobs founded College Track, a storefront nonprofit organization that helps prepare low-income students for college through tutoring and mentoring.

Source: College Track

College Track has expanded to eight locations across California, Colorado, and Louisiana.

College Track has expanded to eight locations across California, Colorado, and Louisiana.

Source: College Track

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In the early 2000s, Powell Jobs started Emerson Collective — an organization named after Ralph Waldo Emerson.

In the early 2000s, Powell Jobs started Emerson Collective — an organization named after Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Sources: Los Angeles Times, Motley Fool, Vogue

The Emerson Collective makes grants and investments that focus on immigration, social justice, and education.

The Emerson Collective makes grants and investments that focus on immigration, social justice, and education.

Sources: Los Angeles Times, Motley Fool, Vogue

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A private company rather than a traditional nonprofit, Emerson Collective has funded a number of startups.

A private company rather than a traditional nonprofit, Emerson Collective has funded a number of startups.

Sources: Los Angeles Times, Motley Fool, Vogue

Emerson Collective projects include AltSchool, a VC-backed school that aims to transform education by personalizing student instruction with technology.

Emerson Collective projects include AltSchool, a VC-backed school that aims to transform education by personalizing student instruction with technology.

Sources: Los Angeles Times, Motley Fool, Vogue

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Last September, Powell Jobs pledged $50 million via Emerson to fund XQ: The Super School Project.

Last September, Powell Jobs pledged $50 million via Emerson to fund XQ: The Super School Project.

Source: The New York Times

That venture aims to reform education from the inside out by revamping how high schools approach curriculum.

That venture aims to reform education from the inside out by revamping how high schools approach curriculum.

Source: The New York Times

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She is the chairwoman of XQ's board of directors.

She is the chairwoman of XQ's board of directors.

Source: The New York Times

Powell Jobs has served on the board of several organizations, including Teach for America, Conservation International, and the New America Foundation.

Powell Jobs has served on the board of several organizations, including Teach for America, Conservation International, and the New America Foundation.

Source: Bloomberg

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She's a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Stanford University's board of trustees.

She's a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and Stanford University's board of trustees.

Source: Bloomberg

Along with Michael Bloomberg and Ray Dalio, Powell Jobs is a founding member of the Climate Leadership Council.

Along with Michael Bloomberg and Ray Dalio, Powell Jobs is a founding member of the Climate Leadership Council.

Source: Climate Leadership Council

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In addition to her work with various causes, Powell Jobs has also cultivated a reputation as a major art collector.

In addition to her work with various causes, Powell Jobs has also cultivated a reputation as a major art collector.

Source: Art News

Art News named her as one of the 200 top collectors of 2018. She reportedly has a keen interest in contemporary art, in particular.

Art News named her as one of the 200 top collectors of 2018. She reportedly has a keen interest in contemporary art, in particular.

Source: Art News, Art News

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She's also made a move into the sports world, buying a stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment.

She's also made a move into the sports world, buying a stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment.

Source: Fortune

Monumental owns the Washington Wizards, the Washington Capitals, and the Capital One Arena.

Monumental owns the Washington Wizards, the Washington Capitals, and the Capital One Arena.

Source: Fortune

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Powell Jobs and Emerson Collective had partnered up with writer Leon Wieseltier to form a new magazine called Idea.

Powell Jobs and Emerson Collective had partnered up with writer Leon Wieseltier to form a new magazine called Idea.

Source: CNN, The Wrap

She scrapped the venture when Wieseltier's former colleagues at the New Republic came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against him in October 2017.

She scrapped the venture when Wieseltier's former colleagues at the New Republic came forward with sexual misconduct allegations against him in October 2017.

Source: CNN, The Wrap

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On July 28, 2017, Emerson Collective acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic.

On July 28, 2017, Emerson Collective acquired a majority stake in The Atlantic.

Source: Forbes, The Atlantic

Powell Jobs released a statement commending the magazine for its drive to "bring about equality for all people; to illuminate and defend the American idea; to celebrate American culture and literature; and to cover our marvelous, and sometimes messy, democratic experiment."

Powell Jobs released a statement commending the magazine for its drive to "bring about equality for all people; to illuminate and defend the American idea; to celebrate American culture and literature; and to cover our marvelous, and sometimes messy, democratic experiment."

Source: Forbes, The Atlantic

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In terms of her personal life, Powell Jobs owns a $16.5 million home in San Francisco, which boasts six bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms and incredible views of the city.

In terms of her personal life, Powell Jobs owns a $16.5 million home in San Francisco, which boasts six bedrooms and six and a half bathrooms and incredible views of the city.

Source: Business Insider

When she and her family are looking to get away, they're able to sail off on The Venus. The yacht cost at least €100 million, according to Cult of Mac, and was commissioned by Jobs, but was completed after he died.

When she and her family are looking to get away, they're able to sail off on The Venus. The yacht cost at least €100 million, according to Cult of Mac, and was commissioned by Jobs, but was completed after he died.

Source: Boat, Yachting, Feadship, Cult of Mac

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The yacht has been spotted in locales like Göcek in Turkey ...

The yacht has been spotted in locales like Göcek in Turkey ...

Source: Boat

... Milos in Greece ...

... Milos in Greece ...

Source: Boat

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... and Brijuni, Croatia.

... and Brijuni, Croatia.

Source: Total Croatia News

"I'm very aware of the fact that we're all just passing through here," Powell Jobs told the Washington Post. "I feel like I'm hitting my stride now... It is my goal to effectively deploy resources. If there's nothing left when I die, that's just fine."

"I'm very aware of the fact that we're all just passing through here," Powell Jobs told the Washington Post. "I feel like I'm hitting my stride now... It is my goal to effectively deploy resources. If there's nothing left when I die, that's just fine."

Source: The Washington Post

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