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Gabe Newell is now officially a billionaire and the world's 854th richest person according to Forbes. His estimated net worth is $1.5 billion since he owns more than 50% of Valve, which itself is worth over $3 billion by conservative estimates.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/
Except it's theoretical wealth. It doesn't mean he actually has $1.5 billion that he can go out and do with as he wishes. Same goes for the vast majority of people on these lists.

*Edit: I'm not saying he's not rich, I don't see it as any of my business, I'm just saying that these estimates are a little misleading if you don't understand what they are based on.
Post edited March 08, 2012 by MonstaMunch
Well yeah, he doesn't have $1.5 billion in his savings account. Most of his profits are unrealized of course, but that doesn't change the fact that he is currently among the wealthiest 0.00005% of the world's population.
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MonstaMunch: Except it's theoretical wealth. It doesn't mean he actually has $1.5 billion that he can go out and do with as he wishes. Same goes for the vast majority of people on these lists.

*Edit: I'm not saying he's not rich, I don't see it as any of my business, I'm just saying that these estimates are a little misleading if you don't understand what they are based on.
Yes, but he can borrow against a very large portion of that "pretend" value. It's all terribly complex and non-applicable to us peons, of course.
I'd like 90,000 cheeseburgers, xxx-large fries, and a large chocolate shake.

...damn, I'm hungry now.
Well, I'm one of the top 7 billion richest people on Earth.
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MonstaMunch: Except it's theoretical wealth. It doesn't mean he actually has $1.5 billion that he can go out and do with as he wishes. Same goes for the vast majority of people on these lists.

*Edit: I'm not saying he's not rich, I don't see it as any of my business, I'm just saying that these estimates are a little misleading if you don't understand what they are based on.
Certainly, but who actually has a pile of cash or gold bars sitting around in those lists? It's all about share portfolios.
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FraterPerdurabo: Certainly, but who actually has a pile of cash or gold bars sitting around in those lists? It's all about share portfolios.
*raises hand*

Anyway. Love him or hate him, he earned it.
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FraterPerdurabo: Certainly, but who actually has a pile of cash or gold bars sitting around in those lists? It's all about share portfolios.
It would funny, if multi billionaires had Scrooge McDuck style money bins filled with coins and gold.
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tomimt: It would funny, if multi billionaires had Scrooge McDuck style money bins filled with coins and gold.
The Beagle Boys sure would be busy....
He managed to break the publishers' grip on the industry. My feelings about Steam's shortcomings aside, I'd say he earned it.
If he gave me 1% of he's wealth, I would live like a king to the rest of my days.
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spindown: Gabe Newell is now officially a billionaire and the world's 854th richest person according to Forbes. His estimated net worth is $1.5 billion since he owns more than 50% of Valve, which itself is worth over $3 billion by conservative estimates.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2012/03/07/valve-gabe-newell-billionaire/
Wow, that sure would buy alot of orioles. I bet he is very happy.
btw. you may become a billionaire by accident.

For example, woman who invented slimming bra's and underpants hit one billion dollars recently. She started from $5,000 assets.
Post edited March 08, 2012 by keeveek
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MonstaMunch: Except it's theoretical wealth. It doesn't mean he actually has $1.5 billion that he can go out and do with as he wishes. Same goes for the vast majority of people on these lists.

*Edit: I'm not saying he's not rich, I don't see it as any of my business, I'm just saying that these estimates are a little misleading if you don't understand what they are based on.
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FraterPerdurabo: Certainly, but who actually has a pile of cash or gold bars sitting around in those lists? It's all about share portfolios.
There's a big difference between shares of a company you founded and are the CEO of, and shares you bought as a regular shareholder. The difference is that part of the value is tied to his ownership of the shares.