Entrepreneurs
James Balsillie Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $800 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 65 |
| Born: | February 3, 1961 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Country of Origin: | Canada |
| Source of Wealth: | Entrepreneur |
| Last Updated: | Sep 12, 2026 |
Introduction
James Balsillie is a Canadian businessman and philanthropist with an estimated net worth of $800 Million.
In this profile, we’ll discuss our research into James Balsillie’s net worth history, early career, and the rise and fall of BlackBerry. We’ll also review his numerous attempts to purchase an NHL franchise, all of which failed.
Quick Facts
- Debuted on the Forbes Billionaires Index in 2007
- Peak estimated net worth of $3.4 billion in 2008
- Withdrew his $185 million bid to acquire the Pittsburgh Penguins (2006)
- $212 million offer to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes was rejected
Net Worth History
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2007 | $1.6 Billion |
| 2008 | $3.4 Billion |
| 2009 | $1.7 Billion |
| 2010 | $2.3 Billion |
| 2011 | $1.8 Billion |
Education & Career Beginnings
James Laurence Balsillie was born on the 3rd of February, 1961, in Seaforth, Ontario. Balsillie received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Trinity College in 1984. During his college years, he was a member of the elite Zeta Psi fraternity. In 1989, he earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
After graduating from Harvard Business School, Jim Balsillie became the executive vice president and chief financial officer at Sutherland-Schultz, a design and construction company. He remained in that position until 1992, when the company was sold to the Vollmer Group, and Balsillie decided to leave. In the same year, he invested $125,000 in Research in Motion and joined Mike Lazaridis as co-CEO.
Research In Motion
When Jim Balsillie became co-CEO, Research in Motion had only ten employees; however, with his guidance, it quickly grew into an international company. Not long after Balsillie joined, Research in Motion was re-branded as BlackBerry Limited, and it boasted over 28,000 employees.
While Lazaridis handled the technological aspects, Balsillie oversaw all sales, accounting, and business dealings. However, when competing with Steve Jobs’ Apple iPhone and Larry Page’s Android devices, the company’s dual-CEO structure began to hinder it.
Soon after, Jim Balsillie stepped down from his role as chairman after the company reported over $250 million in stock option accounting errors from the past. Of course, he didn’t leave the company entirely and retained his roles as co-chief and director, allowing him to maintain his influence.
The Fall Of BlackBerry
In 2007, Apple debuted its first touchscreen smartphone, which further pushed BlackBerry behind in the competition. Two years later, the Ontario Securities Commission forced Jim Balsillie to resign as the director as part of their sanctions. However, when the sanctions expired in 2010, Balsillie was almost immediately reappointed to his prior position despite shareholder pushback. That same year, BlackBerry fell even further behind thanks to Google’s technology and the fact that BlackBerry OS hadn’t been updated since 2002.
By 2011, Balsillie was BlackBerry’s third-largest shareholder; however, after cutting 2,000 employees, the share value began to decline. The following year, Balsillie and Lazaridis resigned and were replaced by Thorsten Heins, the Chief Operating Officer.
Balsillie then resigned from the board as BlackBerry’s decline continued, reducing it from Canada’s most valuable property to a tenth of its former value.
NHL Ownership Bids
After leaving BlackBerry, Jim Balsillie founded the Balsillie School of International Affairs and the Center for International Governance and Innovation. He has also attempted to become the owner of a National Hockey League team, although all such endeavors have since failed. Firstly, he made a bid to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2006 for $185 million, but by the end of the year, he had withdrawn the bid.
The following year, he made a tentative deal to purchase the Nashville Predators, although the owner, Craig Leipold, ultimately decided not to complete the transaction. Balsillie then offered $212 million for the Phoenix Coyotes on the condition that they relocate to Southern Ontario. However, Judge Redfield Baum rejected his bid and ruled that Balsillie didn’t have the power to relocate the team.
Despite a tumultuous business career, Jim Balsillie remains one of the wealthiest businessmen in Canada, and his fortune continues to grow.
Philanthropy
In 2007, he donated $50 million to the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and the Center for International Governance Innovation.
Entrepreneurs
Stephen Schwarzman Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $35 Billion |
|---|---|
| Age: | 79 |
| Born: | February 14, 1947 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Entrepreneur |
| Last Updated: | Sep 11, 2026 |
Introduction
Stephen Schwarzman is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist with an estimated net worth of $35 Billion.
In this profile, we’ll discuss Stephen Schwarzman’s net worth history, investments, acquisitions, and other aspects of his finances.
Quick Facts
- Debuted on the Forbes Billionaires Index in 2001
- Peak net worth of $44.4 billion in 2025
- Holds a 20% minority stake in the Blackstone Group
- Received at least $6.96 billion in compensation from the firm since 2007
- Earned $1.22 billion last year in salary, compensation, and dividends
- Donated $350 million to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Donated $100 million to the New York Public Library
Net Worth History
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2017 | $11.8 Billion |
| 2018 | $12.6 Billion |
| 2019 | $13.2 Billion |
| 2020 | $15.4 Billion |
| 2021 | $21.9 Billion |
| 2022 | $34.8 Billion |
| 2023 | $27.8 Billion |
| 2024 | $38.8 Billion |
| 2025 | $44.4 Billion |
| 2026 | $38.3 Billion |
For the last four decades or so, Stephen Schwarzman’s net worth has been closely correlated with the valuation of the Blackstone Group, the private equity firm he co-founded with Peter Peterson in 1985. Schwarzman debuted on the Forbes Billionaires Index in 2006, which appears to have been just before the company’s IPO. At the time, he held an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion.
The biggest changes to his fortune have occurred during the last decade. By 2017, Schwarzman was worth approximately $11.8 billion. That said, since 2020, Blackstone’s market cap has exploded, reaching $102 billion in 2021, $130 billion in 2024, and an all-time high of $230 billion in 2025. Since Stephen holds a 20% stake in the company, his share of that $230 billion valuation would have been roughly $46 billion.
At the time of writing, Schwarzman’s net worth is estimated to be $35 Billion, and Blackstone’s market cap is approximately $162 billion. Thus, his 20% stake currently accounts for 75-80% of his fortune. The remainder is largely derived from the $6.9 billion he’s received in dividends and compensation since 2007.
Blackstone Annual Compensation
| Year | Base Salary | Other | Dividends (est.) | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | $175,000 | $179,482 | unknown | $354,482 |
| 2008 | $350,000 | $2,297,632 | unknown | $2,647,632 |
| 2009 | $350,000 | -$759,217 | unknown | -$409,217 |
| 2010 | $350,000 | $2,475,766 | unknown | $2,825,766 |
| 2011 | $350,000 | $4,609,445 | unknown | $4,959,445 |
| 2012 | $350,000 | $8,064,804 | unknown | $8,414,804 |
| 2013 | $350,000 | $21,641,142 | unknown | $21,991,142 |
| 2014 | $350,000 | $85,538,640 | unknown | $85,888,640 |
| 2015 | $350,000 | $73,741,000 | unknown | $74,091,000 |
| 2016 | $350,000 | $46,981,000 | unknown | $47,331,000 |
| 2017 | $350,000 | $125,169,429 | unknown | $125,519,429 |
| 2018 | $350,000 | $68,767,000 | unknown | $69,117,000 |
| 2019 | $350,000 | $56,723,953 | $440,000,000 | $497,073,953 |
| 2020 | $350,000 | $86,030,331 | $440,000,000 | $526,380,331 |
| 2021 | $350,000 | $159,931,754 | $941,600,000 | $1,101,881,754 |
| 2022 | $350,000 | $252,772,146 | $1,020,000,000 | $1,273,122,146 |
| 2023 | $350,000 | $119,434,375 | $777,000,000 | $896,784,375 |
| 2024 | $350,000 | $83,677,000 | $916,000,000 | $1,000,027,000 |
| 2025 | $350,000 | $125,600,000 | $1,100,000,000 | $1,225,950,000 |
| Totals: | $6,475,000 | $1,322,875,682 | $5,634,600,000 | $6,963,950,682 |
While Schwarzman’s equity in the Blackstone Group is technically the primary source of his net worth, it’s not the only way in which he’s compensated by the company. Schwarzman receives an annual base salary, bonuses, and, of course, dividend payments from his Blackstone share holdings. Let’s separate these out one by one.
Base Salary
Based on the available historical information, Stephen has received a base salary of $350,000 per year since Blackstone’s IPO in June 2007. The only year in which this isn’t the case is 2007, because the IPO occurred midway through the year. Thus, he reportedly earned $750,000 instead of the full $350,000. As a result, over 19 years under this contract, he’s earned approximately $6.48 million in base salary. Clearly, base salary is more of a formality and not a significant wealth driver.
All Other Compensation
Schwarzman technically doesn’t receive bonuses or stock options. His additional annual compensation from Blackstone isn’t listed under either category. Instead, it’s listed under “all other compensation.” We’re not talking about dividends here, just annual compensation. It appears that the majority of his payments within this category are related to “carried interest” from investments.
His biggest payouts have come in the last few years, including an all-time high of $252.8 million in 2022. All things considered, the sums in this category total roughly $1.32 billion between 2007 and 2025.
Dividend History
This is where things get incredibly challenging to estimate. The only years for which we could produce dividend estimates were between 2019 and 2025. Bear in mind this is a combination of estimates based on Blackstone’s annual dividend rate and Schwarzman’s known shareholdings, as well as reporting from Bloomberg and Reuters, among others.
For example, Reuters reported a combined total of $1.26 billion in dividends and compensation for 2022, and dividends of $777 million in 2023. The following year, the publication listed annual dividends of $916 million. In other words, things seem to line up with the figures we have on file.
Annual Earnings Summary
All things considered, this means that Stephen Schwarzman has earned at least $6.9 billion from Blackstone since 2007, comprising base salary, other compensation, and dividend payments. In several of those years, including 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025, he’s received more than $1 billion in annual payouts. Dividends account for roughly $5.63 billion of his compensation since 2019.
Real Estate
When it comes to his real estate portfolio, one of Stephen Schwarzman’s properties stands out among the rest. In 2022, he paid approximately £80 million for a 2,500-acre estate in Wiltshire, England, known as Conholt Park. This property is a Grade II-listed building and is subject to strict rules and regulations for renovations, which Schwarzman plans to undertake.
Entrepreneurs
Carlos Ghosn Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $120 Million |
|---|---|
| Age: | 72 |
| Born: | March 9, 1954 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Country of Origin: | Brazil |
| Source of Wealth: | Entrepreneur |
| Last Updated: | Sep 11, 2026 |
Introduction
Carlos Ghosn is a Brazilian-born French businessman with an estimated net worth of $120 Million.
In this profile, we’ll discuss our research into Carlos Ghosn’s net worth history, income sources, and the legal issues that led to his arrest.
Quick Facts
- Total reported income of $113.3 million between 2009 and 2018
- Earned $92 million in compensation with Nissan (2009-2017)
- Earned an additional $19.3 million with Renault (2010-2018)
- Peak annual income of $14.7 million
- Arrested for concealing $80+ million of income from authorities (2018)
Salary History
| Year | Renault | Nissan | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | N/A | $13,000,000 | $13,000,000 |
| 2010 | $1,600,000 | $11,000,000 | $12,600,000 |
| 2011 | $1,770,000 | $12,000,000 | $13,770,000 |
| 2012 | $3,700,000 | $11,000,000 | $14,700,000 |
| 2013 | $3,050,000 | $10,000,000 | $13,050,000 |
| 2014 | $2,170,000 | $9,000,000 | $11,170,000 |
| 2015 | $1,930,000 | $9,000,000 | $10,930,000 |
| 2016 | $1,920,000 | $10,000,000 | $11,920,000 |
| 2017 | $1,850,000 | $7,000,000 | $8,850,000 |
| 2018 | $1,290,000 | N/A | $1,290,000 |
| Totals: | $19,280,000 | $92,000,000 | $111,280,000 |
When discussing Carlos Ghosn’s past salaries, it’s best to review his total annual compensation, since he served as chairman of Renault, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors simultaneously.
Additionally, the table above only covers his compensation from Renault and Nissan. Ghosn served as chairman of Mitsubishi for only three fiscal years, and, for the most part, his salary wasn’t disclosed to the public. That is, except for 2017, when he received ¥180 million in cash and ¥47 million in stock options, for a total of ¥227 million. At the time, this worked out to about $2 million USD ($1.6 million in cash and $400,000 in stock), though the Japanese Yen has been decimated since then.
Renault Compensation
Finding Ghosn’s salary as Renault’s chairman was somewhat difficult, since we had to track down all of the company’s past filings. The figures in the table above, to the best of our knowledge, are the approximate amounts that Renault actually paid Ghosn each year, converted from EUR to USD.
In total, he earned approximately $19.28 million with the company between 2010 and 2018, peaking at $3.7 million annually. Now, there are some misleading reports online that state Ghosn earned $17 million in 2017, of which $8.4 million came from Renault. This wasn’t the amount he earned; it was a theoretical compensation package, which included:
- €1.23 million in base salary
- €362,850 in variable cash compensation
- €1,088,550 in deferred shares
- €4,642,000 in performance shares
- €47,540 in director fees
- €5,610 in benefits
However, since he ultimately resigned in January 2019, Ghosn did not receive the deferred and performance shares; thus, he never earned that $8.4 million in its entirety.
Nissan Compensation
Thankfully, Ghosn’s earnings at Nissan are much more cut-and-dried. An SEC filing revealed all of his recorded salaries, both in Japanese Yen and USD. It also becomes clear that his roles at Nissan were where he derived the majority of his income.
We should note that Ghosn first joined Nissan as the company’s Chief Operating Officer in 1999. Unfortunately, the only information listed in the filing is from 2009 through 2017. Back in 2009, Ghosn earned $13 million in annual salary, which was coincidentally his highest known salary at the company.
For the majority of the 2010s, he typically earned between $9 million and $12 million per year. As for 2017, his final year at Nissan, he earned a lower sum of $7 million. All things considered, this brought Carlos Ghosn’s total Nissan compensation to $92 million from 2009 through 2017. Now, the SEC filing states $91 million, but the individual numbers listed in the document total $92 million. It’s likely caused by rounding.
Arrest & Legal Issues
Ghosn’s arrest in Tokyo in November 2018 ignited a major corporate scandal. Japanese authorities charged him with concealing over $80 million in income and using Nissan funds for personal expenses. Shortly after, additional allegations surfaced, including breach of trust and misuse of company assets for personal gain.
In 2019, U.S. authorities added charges for his failure to disclose $140 million in expected compensation and retirement benefits, leading Ghosn to settle with a $1 million fine and a 10-year ban from serving as an officer or director of any U.S. public company.
Ghosn spent several months in solitary confinement in a Tokyo prison cell and was eventually granted bail at 1 billion yen (around $8.9 million), a record-breaking amount in Japan at the time. However, his bail was granted under strict conditions, including that he would remain under house arrest, be subject to constant surveillance, and be limited to restricted contact with others. But in December 2019, Ghosn executed a dramatic escape from house arrest, hiding inside an audio equipment box on a private jet to Turkey, and then boarded another plane bound for Beirut, Lebanon, a country with no extradition agreement with Japan.
From Beirut, Ghosn claimed his arrest was a corporate scheme led by Nissan executives to block his $30 billion plan for a full Nissan-Renault merger. He argues that Nissan’s leadership, worried about losing control to Renault, worked with Japanese officials to push him out.
Ghosn has since openly criticized Japan’s justice system, which has a 99% conviction rate, calling it “hostage justice” because of the pressure placed on defendants to confess under strict detention. As of this year, Ghosn is still hiding out in Lebanon, facing international arrest warrants from Japan and France, along with an Interpol Red Notice.
Entrepreneurs
Avram Glazer Net Worth
| Net Worth: | $1 Billion |
|---|---|
| Age: | 65 |
| Born: | October 19, 1960 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | Unknown |
| Country of Origin: | United States of America |
| Source of Wealth: | Entrepreneur |
| Last Updated: | Sep 12, 2026 |
Avram Glazer is an American businessman and sports team owner with an estimated net worth of $1 Billion.
This profile covers our extensive research into Avram Glazer’s net worth and investments, including ownership of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Manchester United.
Quick Facts
- Debuted on the Forbes Billionaires Index in 2024
- Holds an estimated 16.7% stake in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- That stake is now worth $900+ million
- Acquired a 68% controlling stake in Manchester United for $1.46 billion
- Sold a 25% stake of the team to James Ratcliffe for $1.3 billion in 2023
Net Worth History
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $1.7 billion |
| 2025 | $1.7 billion |
| 2026 | $2 billion |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Acquisition
Avram’s father, Malcolm, was a dedicated sports fan and had been desperately trying to secure ownership of a franchise team within both the NFL and the MLB. This included attempts to acquire or establish franchises for the New England Patriots, the Baltimore Orioles (now the Baltimore Ravens), the San Diego Padres, and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After Hugh Culverhouse, the then-owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, passed away in August 1994, Malcolm finally managed to acquire a team. Malcolm purchased the Buccaneers for a reported $192 million, placing two of his sons, Joel and Edward, in leadership positions. All six Glazer siblings received an ownership stake in the team, which they still hold today. The exact split has never been confirmed, but assuming it’s an even split, this would bring Avram’s stake to roughly 16.7%.
In August 2024, Forbes valued the Buccaneers at $5.4 billion, indicating that the franchise’s value had increased by approximately $5.2 billion over the previous 29 years. Assuming Avram has always held 16.7%, his stake would have been worth $32.06 million in 1995 and is currently worth approximately $901.8 million.
Manchester United Acquisition
In May 2005, Avram and the Glazer family acquired a 68% majority stake in the EPL soccer team, Manchester United, through their company Red Football Ltd. The deal reportedly cost the family £800 million ($1.46 billion USD), placing the club’s valuation at approximately £1.18 billion ($2.15 billion USD).
However, the majority of the £800 million was secured by borrowing against Manchester United’s assets, which quickly put the club in financial trouble. This left the club obligated to pay £60 million per year in interest alone on its total debts. Although no longer a dominant force in the English Premier League, Manchester United won the league in five of the first seven years following the Glazers’ acquisition.
As of May 2025, the club’s market valuation is approximately $2.4 billion. According to various reports, the Glazer family still holds approximately 71%, but it’s unknown exactly how the shares are split between the family members. Nonetheless, a 71% stake in Manchester United, based on its current valuation of $2.4 billion, would equate to roughly $1.7 billion.
Financial, Tax, & Legal Issues
In December 2023, Avram Glazer’s family sold a 25% stake in Manchester United to British billionaire James Ratcliffe for $1.3 billion. This sale valued the football club at $5.2 billion, over five times its 2005 leveraged buyout price of $1 billion. However, many Manchester United fans expressed frustration, attributing years of poor club performance to mismanagement under the Glazer ownership.
The sale drew further attention because Glazer used complex tax exemption strategies through the Cayman Islands, reportedly avoiding a $100 million capital gains tax bill. While legal, it reignited debates about fair tax practices among high-net-worth individuals.
Philanthropy
The Glazer Family Foundation, founded in 2000, has maintained a strong focus on community programs despite recent financial difficulties. In 2023, the foundation reported a $121,000 deficit, with assets of $17,700 and liabilities totaling $26,600. Even so, it supports initiatives like the Glazer Children’s Museum, which nurtures educational play through donor funding.
The foundation also supports youth sports leagues that provide equipment and coaching to over 500 underserved children annually, encouraging teamwork and physical activity. Its scholarship programs have awarded over $1 million to help more than 100 students access higher education, reducing financial obstacles for their families. The foundation has also focused on health-related efforts, such as vision screenings and eyeglass donations, which have reached more than 2,000 children in the Tampa Bay area and addressed critical needs in local communities.
Together, these initiatives reflect the Glazer family’s commitment to meaningful community support, even during periods of financial strain.
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