Mark Zuckerberg has overtaken Michael Dell to become the world’s fifth-richest individual after Dell’s stock faced a significant decline following previous record highs. Shares in Dell fell further, erasing recent gains that had propelled the hardware giant’s value substantially this year.
Dell’s shares dropped more than 3% on Monday, adding to an almost 9% slide the previous week and a total decline exceeding 18% since topping an intraday all-time high earlier in June. This retreat cut Michael Dell’s net worth by around $2 billion, bringing it to approximately $221 billion, just below Zuckerberg’s estimated $222 billion. Meta’s stock, after a slight dip earlier in the day, managed to recover near its opening price by market close.
Dell’s wealth surged dramatically over recent years, climbing over 860% since 2020, fueled by the company’s role as a major supplier to AI data centers. The hardware firm reported a remarkable 88% revenue increase in its last quarter, with AI server sales soaring by 757% compared to the previous year. These gains contributed to a historic 39% jump in Dell’s stock during its best trading session ever, even though a recent correction reversed some of those gains.
This year, Dell’s shares more than tripled in value, opening close to $141 billion in personal fortune at the start of 2026 and climbing as high as $221 billion before the recent slump. Meta is scheduled to report earnings soon, following Dell’s planned release next month, both closely watched for insights on their growth trajectories amid evolving AI and tech sectors.
Investors remain focused on how Dell’s continued expansion in AI infrastructure will sustain its momentum, even as the recent stock pullback illustrates market volatility. Former President Donald Trump, who recently became a Dell shareholder, publicly encouraged investors to buy into the hardware giant, highlighting the company’s perceived potential.