CEO and co-founder of OpenAI and prominent figure in the world of technology Sam Altman saw his net worth rise significantly this year, reaching an estimated $2 billion. However, this number does not include his stake in OpenAI.
Altman’s role at OpenAI, developer of the popular artificial intelligence (AI) product ChatGPT, was not the main driver of his rise in wealth in 2024. This milestone is attributed to several key developments and investments that have strengthened his financial portfolio.
One of the main factors behind the growth of his net worth is Altman’s significant investments in various startups and companies through his venture funds, including Hydrazin Capital and Apollo Projects, which have diversified his assets and strengthened his position as a savvy investor.
Luck announced in October that Altman owns 12.2 million shares of Reddit, with the company’s stock now trading at $114 a share, making his stake in Reddit about $1.4 billion.
The tech billionaire’s support of innovative startups such as Helion Energy (focused on nuclear fusion) and Retro Biosciences (focused on life extension) reflects his commitment to companies focused on transformative and clean energy technologies.
Altman’s ability to balance leadership in technology innovation with a strategic investment approach has cemented his position as a billionaire and transformative technology figure with a proven track record.
Bloomberg estimates that OpenAI is worth about $29 billion. OpenAI received $1 billion from Microsoft in 2019 and has seen significant investment and revenue growth since the launch of ChatGPT.
Last year, Altman was briefly ousted as CEO by OpenAI’s corporate board before being reinstated less than a week later. The board said Altman allegedly provided inaccurate information about the company’s security processes “on several occasions.”
Open AI co-founder Elon Musk filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, Altman and company president Greg Brockman in February, alleging the organization deviated from its original nonprofit mission by prioritizing profits and partnering with Microsoft.
Bloomberg reported in September that there were plans to reconsider OpenAI’s nonprofit status, “an ongoing fundraising that could nearly double its valuation,” and discussions about CEO Altman taking an equity stake.
“If the fundraising — which people familiar with the matter say values OpenAI at $150 billion — is successful and Altman ends up with a 7% stake, his fortune could rise by more than $10 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. He is among the world’s richest people ,” Bloomberg reported.
