Steve Ballmer, who was once Bill Gates' assistant, is now richer than his onetime mentor.

The article focuses on Steve Ballmer's rise in wealth, surpassing Bill Gates to become the sixth richest person in the world, with a net worth of $157 billion. Ballmer's wealth is primarily attributed to his significant holdings in Microsoft, which have surged due to the company's strong performance and its investment in artificial intelligence through OpenAI. Unlike Gates, who has diversified his investments and made substantial philanthropic contributions, Ballmer's fortune stems from his long-term commitment to Microsoft shares, which he intends to hold until his death or for charitable purposes. The article highlights the unique situation of an employee becoming wealthier than a company's founder, emphasizing the financial arrangements that facilitated Ballmer's wealth accumulation during his tenure at Microsoft. [Extracted from the article]