Jimmy Wales, the American internet entrepreneur best known for co-founding Wikipedia, has a net worth of $1.5 million. Although Wikipedia could have been worth billions if it had been a for-profit venture, Wales opted for a non-profit model.
He confirmed in a 2019 tweet that, throughout the Wikimedia Foundation’s history, he has earned $0 in salary.
Wales was born in Huntsville, Alabama, in 1966, and he was passionate about encyclopedias from a young age. He attended Auburn University and later pursued postgraduate studies, although he did not complete his Ph.D.
Jimmy Wales (Credit: YouTube)
In 1996, Wales co-founded Bomis, a web portal, before launching Nupedia in 2000, which led to the creation of Wikipedia. Wikipedia’s open model for collaboration, which Wales championed, made it one of the most visited websites in the world.
Wales also founded Wikia in 2004, a for-profit company that hosts wikis on various topics. He has been involved in internet freedom and privacy issues, testifying before the U.S. Senate and criticizing certain political rulings.
Wales has received multiple honorary degrees and awards for his contributions to technology, including a Doctorate Honoris Causa from USI Lugano University and the British Academy’s President’s Medal in 2017. Despite his significant impact, he remains a relatively modest figure in terms of personal wealth.
The video, titled “so long nerds,” was posted on his YouTube channel, where he had amassed over 10 million followers.
In the video, Technoblade, whose real name was Alex, expressed his gratitude for his fans and reminisced about his career.
Technoblade had shared his cancer diagnosis with his followers in 2021, revealing that he had been battling sarcoma, a rare form of cancer affecting the bone and soft tissue.
Despite undergoing various treatments, including chemotherapy and a limb salvage operation, Technoblade remained active in the Minecraft community, continuing to stream and post videos.
His death was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans, fellow gamers, and YouTubers, all recalling his kindness, humility, and the joy he brought to the gaming world.
A portion of proceeds from his merchandise sales will be donated to charity in his honor. Technoblade’s family expressed deep appreciation for his fans, highlighting how much he loved and respected them throughout his career.
His influence on the Minecraft community and the gaming world remains immeasurable, and he will be remembered as a legend.
