Early Death and Estimated 2017 Net Worth
Steve Jobs passed away in 2011. Financial analysts and Forbes have estimated that if he had lived, his net worth in 2017 would have been roughly 45 billion dollars, driven largely by his continued ownership of Apple shares.
Apple Stock and Wealth Growth
Jobs owned about 5.5 million shares of Apple before his death. Apple stock rose sharply between 2011 and 2017, increasing the value of those shares. This growth is the main reason his projected net worth climbed so high by 2017.
Other Assets and Disney Stake
Beyond Apple, Jobs held a significant stake in Walt Disney Company after the Pixar acquisition. Disney stock also appreciated over the period, adding to his estimated wealth. Combined holdings in Apple and Disney formed the core of the 2017 projection.
For deeper analysis of Apple stock and Jobs' holdings, see Forbes.
