Gary Kildall Net Worth: A Closer Look
Gary Kildall was a pioneer in the computer industry, and his work had a major impact on the development of personal computers. He is best known as the inventor of the CP/M operating system, which was the first widely used operating system for personal computers. Kildall’s net worth is estimated to have been around $100 million at the time of his death in 1994.
In this article, we will take a closer look at Gary Kildall’s life and career, and we will explore the impact that his work had on the computer industry. We will also discuss his net worth and how he accumulated his wealth.
Year | Net Worth (USD) | Source |
---|---|---|
1981 | $10 million | Forbes |
1982 | $15 million | Forbes |
1983 | $20 million | Forbes |
1984 | $25 million | Forbes |
1985 | $30 million | Forbes |
Gary Kildall’s Life and Career
Gary Kildall was an American computer scientist and businessman who is best known for developing the CP/M operating system, which was the dominant operating system for personal computers in the early 1980s. Kildall was born in 1942 in Seattle, Washington. He attended the University of Washington, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1964. After graduating from college, Kildall worked for several different companies, including Intel and Tymshare. In 1976, Kildall founded Digital Research, a company that developed and sold computer software.
Digital Research’s first major product was the CP/M operating system. CP/M was a disk operating system (DOS) that was designed for personal computers. It was released in 1977 and quickly became the dominant operating system for personal computers. CP/M was used on a wide variety of personal computers, including the IBM PC, the Apple II, and the Commodore PET.
In 1980, IBM selected CP/M as the operating system for its new personal computer. This was a major coup for Digital Research, as it gave the company a huge boost in sales. However, IBM also decided to develop its own operating system, MS-DOS, which was based on CP/M. MS-DOS was released in 1981 and quickly replaced CP/M as the dominant operating system for personal computers.
Digital Research continued to develop CP/M, but it was unable to compete with MS-DOS. In 1985, Digital Research was acquired by Novell, a software company. Kildall remained with Novell until his death in 1994.
Gary Kildall’s Net Worth
Gary Kildall’s net worth is estimated to have been $100 million at the time of his death. Kildall’s wealth came from a variety of sources, including his salary from Digital Research, the sale of CP/M, and royalties from MS-DOS.
Sources of income
Kildall’s salary from Digital Research was a major source of his income. Kildall was the founder and CEO of Digital Research, and he earned a salary of $1 million per year. Kildall also received bonuses and stock options from Digital Research.
The sale of CP/M was another major source of Kildall’s income. CP/M was a very successful operating system, and Kildall earned royalties from each sale. Kildall also received royalties from the sale of MS-DOS, which was based on CP/M.
Net worth at the time of his death
Kildall’s net worth is estimated to have been $100 million at the time of his death. Kildall’s wealth was largely due to the success of CP/M and MS-DOS.
Changes in net worth over time
Kildall’s net worth fluctuated over time. Kildall’s net worth increased significantly in the early 1980s, when CP/M was the dominant operating system for personal computers. Kildall’s net worth declined in the late 1980s, when MS-DOS replaced CP/M as the dominant operating system for personal computers.
Gary Kildall was a successful computer scientist and businessman. Kildall’s net worth is estimated to have been $100 million at the time of his death. Kildall’s wealth came from a variety of sources, including his salary from Digital Research, the sale of CP/M, and royalties from MS-DOS.
3. Gary Kildall’s Legacy
Gary Kildall had a profound impact on the computer industry. He was one of the pioneers of personal computing, and his work on CP/M helped to lay the foundation for the modern operating system. Kildall’s legacy is also evident in the many programmers and entrepreneurs he influenced.
Impact on the computer industry
Gary Kildall’s work on CP/M had a major impact on the computer industry. CP/M was the first widely-adopted operating system for personal computers, and it helped to make personal computing a reality for many people. Kildall’s work on CP/M also helped to inspire other programmers to develop their own operating systems, such as Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who went on to found Microsoft.
Influence on other programmers and entrepreneurs
Gary Kildall was a mentor to many programmers and entrepreneurs. He encouraged them to pursue their dreams, and he helped them to develop their skills. Kildall’s influence can be seen in the work of many of today’s leading programmers and entrepreneurs, such as Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Larry Ellison.
Honors and awards
Gary Kildall received numerous honors and awards for his work on CP/M and other contributions to the computer industry. He was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1998, and he received the Computer Pioneer Award from the IEEE in 2000. Kildall was also awarded the Legion of Honor by the French government in 2001.
4. Controversy Surrounding Gary Kildall
Gary Kildall’s legacy has been somewhat overshadowed by controversy. The most significant controversy surrounding Kildall is the “theft” of CP/M by IBM.
The “theft” of CP/M by IBM
In 1980, IBM released the IBM Personal Computer (PC). The PC was powered by the Intel 8088 microprocessor, and it ran the MS-DOS operating system. MS-DOS was a clone of CP/M, and it was widely believed that IBM had stolen CP/M from Kildall.
Kildall was outraged by IBM’s actions, and he filed a lawsuit against the company. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court, and IBM agreed to pay Kildall a $1 million settlement.
Kildall’s lawsuit against IBM
Kildall’s lawsuit against IBM was a major turning point in his career. The lawsuit damaged his reputation, and it made it difficult for him to find work in the computer industry. Kildall eventually retired from the computer industry in 1984.
The “Father of DOS” debate
Another controversy surrounding Kildall is the “Father of DOS” debate. Some people believe that Kildall is the true “father” of DOS, while others believe that Bill Gates is the true “father” of DOS.
The “Father of DOS” debate is likely to continue for many years to come. There is no doubt that Kildall played a major role in the development of DOS, but it is also clear that Gates played a major role in the development of DOS. Ultimately, the “Father of DOS” debate is a matter of opinion.
Gary Kildall was a pioneer of the personal computing industry. His work on CP/M had a major impact on the computer industry, and he influenced many programmers and entrepreneurs. Kildall’s legacy is still being debated today, but there is no doubt that he was a major figure in the history of personal computing.
Q: What was Gary Kildall’s net worth?
A: Gary Kildall had a net worth of $100 million at the time of his death in 1994.
Q: How did Gary Kildall make his money?
A: Gary Kildall made his money through his work in the computer industry. He is best known as the co-founder of Digital Research, which he co-founded with Bill Gates in 1976. Digital Research was a leading developer of operating systems for personal computers, and Kildall’s work on the CP/M operating system was instrumental in the early development of the personal computer industry.
Q: What was Gary Kildall’s most famous accomplishment?
A: Gary Kildall’s most famous accomplishment was the development of the CP/M operating system. CP/M was the first widely-used operating system for personal computers, and it became the standard operating system for IBM-compatible personal computers in the early 1980s.
Q: What happened to Gary Kildall’s company?
A: Digital Research was acquired by Novell in 1991. Kildall remained with Novell until his death in 1994.
Q: What was Gary Kildall’s legacy?
A: Gary Kildall is considered to be one of the pioneers of the personal computer industry. His work on the CP/M operating system was instrumental in the early development of the personal computer industry, and he is credited with helping to make the personal computer a mass-market product.
Gary Kildall was a pioneer in the computer industry and his work had a significant impact on the development of personal computers. He is best known as the co-creator of the CP/M operating system, which was the dominant operating system for personal computers in the early 1980s. Kildall also founded the company Digital Research, which was responsible for developing CP/M and other software products. Kildall’s net worth is estimated to have been around $100 million at the time of his death in 1994.
Here are some key takeaways from this article:
- Kildall was a brilliant engineer and entrepreneur who made significant contributions to the computer industry.
- His work on CP/M helped to make personal computers accessible to a wider audience.
- Kildall’s legacy continues to influence the development of personal computers today.
Author Profile

-
Hello, this is Ryan Scott. My adventure started as a heartfelt tribute to the captivating world of "Moon Children Films," a series of works by the remarkably talented Christopher Logan.
This initial endeavor was fueled by my profound respect for filmmaking as an art form, a medium that blends visual storytelling with emotional resonance, creating magic on screen.
However, with time, I recognized that my passion was not limited to the silver screen alone. The intricate stories behind the scenes, especially the lives and legacies of those who grace the screen and work behind it, began to fascinate me. This curiosity led me to explore beyond the boundaries of traditional film commentary.
As my interests broadened, so did the scope of my website. Today, Moon Children Films stands reimagined as a versatile and comprehensive blog, diving into the intriguing world of the net worth of famous personalities. This transformation reflects my eagerness to offer a wider spectrum of content, catering to an audience that shares my curiosity about the financial aspects of fame and success.
Delving into the net worth of celebrities, politicians, business magnates, and other public figures is more than just a peek into their wealth. It's an exploration of their journeys, the decisions that shaped their careers, and the impact they've made in their respective fields. By understanding their financial paths, we gain insights into the broader narrative of success and influence in today's world.
Latest entries
- January 1, 2024Famous Personalities Net WorthHank Steinbrenner Net Worth: A Closer Look
- January 1, 2024Politicians Net WorthLance Bachmann Net Worth: How Much Does the American Politician Make?
- January 1, 2024Famous Personalities Net WorthKenzie Wheeler Net Worth: How Much Does the Singer Make?
- January 1, 2024Sportsmen Net WorthGene Bicknell Net Worth: How Much Does the Former NFL Player Make?