Jack Dorsey, an influential American tech entrepreneur and programmer, holds a net worth of approximately $4 billion as of 2025. While Dorsey is most recognized globally as the co-founder of Twitter, the majority of his wealth has been generated through his involvement with the fintech company Square, now known as Block, Inc. Dorsey’s path to success has been marked by innovation, philanthropy, and leadership in two of the most impactful tech companies of the 21st century.
Early Life and Background
Born on November 19, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri, Jack Dorsey exhibited an early interest in technology and communication. Fascinated by dispatch systems and real-time data networks, he began writing dispatch software as a teenager—software that would later be adopted by taxi companies. Dorsey attended Bishop DuBourg High School before enrolling at New York University (NYU), although he dropped out before earning a degree.
During his youth, Dorsey’s curiosity extended beyond programming. At 17, he famously hacked into the website of a New York City taxi dispatch service, later alerting the company’s CEO to the vulnerability, leading to a job offer. His move to New York set the stage for his early professional career, which eventually led him to San Francisco during the height of the dot-com boom.
Twitter: The Social Media Gamechanger
In 2006, while working at Odeo, a podcasting company founded by Evan Williams, Dorsey, Williams, Biz Stone, and Noah Glass brainstormed new ideas that birthed Twitter, originally codenamed “twttr.” Dorsey’s concept of a microblogging platform revolutionized social communication. As Twitter’s co-founder and first CEO, Dorsey helped shape the platform’s defining features, such as the @ mention and hashtag system.
Despite early skepticism about Twitter’s purpose, the platform exploded into a global powerhouse, influencing politics, media, and culture. When Twitter went public in 2013, Dorsey’s holdings became a significant portion of his net worth.
By April 2022, when Elon Musk agreed to acquire Twitter for $44 billion, Dorsey still held approximately 18 million shares (around 2% of the company). The sale netted him nearly $974 million in cash, further diversifying his financial portfolio.
Square (Block, Inc.): The Primary Wealth Driver
In 2009, Dorsey co-founded Square with entrepreneur Jim McKelvey. The idea came after McKelvey struggled to sell glass faucets because he couldn’t accept credit cards. This real-world problem led to the development of Square’s signature product: a small square-shaped card reader compatible with mobile devices.
Square went public in 2015 with an initial valuation of $3 billion, though its market cap would skyrocket in subsequent years. By February 2021, Square’s valuation crossed the $100 billion mark. Dorsey’s holdings in Square were the foundation of his $16 billion net worth at the time, with the bulk of that wealth—roughly $15 billion—coming from his Square shares.
Dorsey currently owns about 43 million shares of Square (now Block, Inc.), worth approximately $2.5 billion as of early 2025, following market fluctuations and a hit from a short-seller report in 2023.
Philanthropy: The $1 Billion Pledge
Jack Dorsey is equally known for his significant philanthropic contributions. In April 2020, he committed to donating $1 billion—28% of his wealth at the time—toward COVID-19 relief efforts, women’s health, education, and the advancement of Universal Basic Income (UBI). To fulfill this pledge, he transferred approximately $1 billion worth of Square shares into his charitable LLC, Start Small.
Since then, Start Small has distributed hundreds of millions of dollars globally, including major donations such as:
- $100,000 to America’s Food Fund in April 2020
- $10 million to Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research in August 2020
- $15 million in 2021 to help India during its COVID-19 second wave
By December 2020, Start Small still held over 15 million shares of Square, which had appreciated significantly, growing the fund’s impact. Dorsey’s transparent approach to philanthropy, with all transactions publicly logged in a Google Sheet, has been lauded for its openness and efficiency.
Business Philosophy and Leadership Style
Despite his wealth, Dorsey has often faced criticism for his unconventional leadership style. Known for his minimalist approach, he is not always a daily presence at corporate headquarters. In 2019, he announced plans to visit at least 30 of Twitter’s global offices while also attending a 10-day silent meditation retreat in Myanmar.
Dorsey’s dual role as CEO of both Twitter and Square (until he stepped down from Twitter in November 2021) sparked debates about his focus. Yet, his commitment to innovation and social causes remains evident through both his businesses and charitable efforts.
In addition to his fintech and social media ventures, Dorsey co-founded Bluesky Social, a decentralized social media protocol aiming to address the limitations of traditional social networks. Bluesky launched as a Twitter spin-off with a mission to create open-source tools that could reshape online communication.
Real Estate and Lifestyle
Jack Dorsey is known for living a relatively modest lifestyle compared to other billionaires. His primary residence is located in San Francisco, a $10 million home he purchased in 2012. In 2017, he expanded his property portfolio by acquiring the neighboring house for $22 million.
In 2018, Dorsey also acquired a property in the Hollywood Hills for $4.22 million, which he sold a year later for $4.6 million. While in San Francisco, Dorsey famously walks roughly five miles to work, embracing a routine centered around health and simplicity.
Net Worth and Salary in 2025
Dorsey’s net worth is approximately $4 billion in 2025, bolstered largely by his holdings in Block, Inc., and his Twitter buyout proceeds. In terms of salary, Dorsey historically accepted nominal compensation from Twitter and Square, opting instead to focus on equity stakes and long-term growth.
His influence continues to extend beyond business into social innovation, fintech, and philanthropy, making him one of the most intriguing figures in modern tech.
Final Thoughts
At 48 years old, Jack Dorsey’s career serves as a blueprint for tech entrepreneurship that bridges profit with purpose. From creating Twitter to revolutionizing mobile payments with Square and leading major philanthropic initiatives, Dorsey remains at the forefront of shaping both digital communication and financial inclusion.
