Meet Michael, Susan Dell – philanthropists behind $6.25 billion pledge for US kids under Trump’s plan – check net worth
Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell on Tuesday pledged $6.25 billion to encourage 25 million American children under the age of 10 to open new investment accounts created under President Donald Trump’s tax and spending legislation.
Announced on GivingTuesday, the Dells consider this the largest private donation ever made to support U.S. children.
In light of the big announcement, let’s take a look at who Michael and Susan Dell are and the roles they play.
Who is Michael Dell?
Michael Dell serves as president and CEO of Dell Technologies, delivering vital infrastructure for organizations to advance their digital future, revolutionize IT, and protect their most critical data.
In 1984, at the age of 19, he founded Dell Technologies with $1,000. In 1992, Michael became the youngest CEO to appear on the Fortune 500 list, according to Dell’s website. Michael privatized Dell Technologies in 2013, paving the way for the historic merger of Dell, EMC and VMware in 2016. Following this, Dell Technologies went public again in 2018.
In 1998, Michael founded MSD Capital, now known as DFO Management, a private investment firm that manages exclusively the Dell family capital. The following year, he founded the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, which aims to transform lives around the world.
Michael serves as an honorary member of the World Economic Forum Foundation Board and is part of the executive committee of the International Business Council.
He is a member of the Technology CEO Council and the Business Roundtable. He also advises the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University in Beijing, China, and sits on the board of directors of the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad, India. He chairs the BDT & MSD Advisory Board and was the United Nations Foundation’s first Global Advocate for Entrepreneurship. Michael has written two books: “Direct from Dell” and “Play Nice But Win.”
Michael Dell net worth
According to Forbes, Michael Dell is the tenth richest man in the world, with a net worth of $148.5 billion as of December 2, 2025. The bulk of Dell’s wealth is held by private investment firm DFO Management, which has stakes in hotels and invests in liquid corporate credit.
Meet Susan Dell
Susan Dell is co-founder and president of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, founded in 1999 to advance opportunities for families and create pathways for global change. With over 25 years of experience, Susan has overseen the foundation’s strategic direction and rapid growth.
Alongside her philanthropic work, Susan is a fashion entrepreneur who has founded three fashion brands, including luxury brand Phi. He is also an athlete who has competed in elite marathons, triathlons, and the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.
Susan was a member of President Bush’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, a lifetime trustee of the Dell Children’s Foundation board, and a former board member of the Cooper Institute.
She was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame for her efforts to support Texas families after Hurricane Harvey. In 2025, she and Michael received the Texan Making History Award from the Texas State Historical Museum Foundation, which recognizes contributions to the state, nation and world.
