Jimmy Wales Net Worth (Updated 2025).

Jimmy Wales, a name synonymous with the digital age, began his career in the early 1990s as an options trader on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Born and raised in Alabama, Wales moved to Chicago to pursue this career, demonstrating his early aptitude for understanding complex systems and data.

In 1996, Wales took a leap into the then-emerging world of the internet. He co-founded Bomis, a web portal that focused on user-generated content, which laid the groundwork for his later ventures. It was during this time that Wales began to understand the power of online communities and the potential for collaborative projects on a global scale.

Jimmy Wales’ Current Net Worth (2025)

As of 2025, Jimmy Wales’ net worth is estimated to be around $1 million, according to the latest available information. This figure reflects his successful career and entrepreneurial ventures.

Career

Jimmy Wales is best known as the co-founder of Wikipedia, the largest and most popular online encyclopedia. He launched Wikipedia in 2001 with Larry Sanger, and it quickly became a global phenomenon. Wales served as the CEO of the Wikimedia Foundation, the non-profit organization that runs Wikipedia, until 2006. Since then, he has been an active advocate for free access to information and has continued to work on various projects related to the Wikimedia Foundation.

Other Ventures

In addition to Wikipedia, Wales has been involved in several other ventures. He co-founded Wikia, a for-profit wiki farm, in 2004, and served as its CEO until 2006. He also co-founded the online community Good Bombs in 2008, which aimed to create positive content on the internet. More recently, Wales has been involved in the development of the blockchain-based social media platform, WT.Social.

Assets

Jimmy Wales’ assets primarily include his stake in the Wikimedia Foundation and his other entrepreneurial ventures. He also owns a significant amount of real estate, including a home in San Diego, California, and an apartment in London, England. Additionally, he has invested in various tech startups and has a substantial portfolio of stocks and bonds.

Annual Income

Jimmy Wales’ annual income varies from year to year, primarily based on his entrepreneurial activities. As of 2021, it was reported that his annual income was around $200,000, largely from his investments and speaking engagements. However, this figure can fluctuate significantly depending on the success of his ventures and other factors.

Frequently Asked Questions about  Jimmy Wales

Jimmy Wales Net Worth FAQs

1. What is Jimmy Wales’ net worth?

Jimmy Wales’ net worth is estimated to be around $1 million.

2. How did Jimmy Wales make his money?

Jimmy Wales is best known for co-founding the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, along with Larry Sanger. He also co-founded the Wikimedia Foundation, which supports Wikipedia and other free-content projects. His wealth primarily comes from his involvement in these projects and various business ventures.

3. What is Jimmy Wales’ salary?

Jimmy Wales’ salary is not publicly disclosed. However, as of 2021, his base salary at the Wikimedia Foundation was reported to be around $250,000.

4. What is Jimmy Wales’ job title at Wikimedia Foundation?

Jimmy Wales serves as the Founder and Chair Emeritus of the Wikimedia Foundation.

5. What are some of Jimmy Wales’ other business ventures?

Besides Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales has been involved in several other projects and businesses. These include Wikia (now known as Fandom), a wiki farm he co-founded, and the social news aggregation website, Wikinews. He has also been an investor and advisor to various tech startups.

6. What is Jimmy Wales’ educational background?

Jimmy Wales earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from Auburn University and a Master of Arts degree in philosophy from Indiana University Bloomington.

7. Is Jimmy Wales married? Does he have children?

Jimmy Wales has been married twice. He has two children from his first marriage and one from his second.

8. What are some of Jimmy Wales’ notable awards and recognitions?

Jimmy Wales has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work on Wikipedia and his contributions to the internet. Some of these include the Pioneer Award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Prince of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, and the Emmy Award for Outstanding Innovation in Interactive Media.

9. What is Jimmy Wales’ stance on internet freedom and censorship?

Jimmy Wales is a strong advocate for internet freedom and has spoken out against online censorship. He believes in the power of open, collaborative platforms like Wikipedia to promote knowledge sharing and democracy.

10. What is Jimmy Wales’ Twitter handle?

Jimmy Wales’ Twitter handle is @jimmy_wales.