With Microsoft stocks surging 1000%, Satya Nadella’s Payouts Cross $1 Billion

The AI-powered uptrend at Microsoft Corp. has driven its stock to new highs and increased Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella’s overall gain from the business to $1 billion.

All compensation received by Nadella from Microsoft that can be deduced from regulatory filings, such as equity grants, salary, bonuses, and dividends, is included in his windfall. Microsoft stock has increased by more than 1,000% since his first day in charge.

It’s unclear what Nadella did with these funds, as Bloomberg’s calculation does not take expenses or personal investments into account. Regulatory papers reveal that he has received shares worth $20 million in gifts over the years, but the recipients are not disclosed.

Frank Shaw, a spokesman for Microsoft, wrote in an email that Nadella “does not have a net worth of one billion dollars or more.” He choose not to provide more commentary.

When Nadella assumed control of Microsoft in 2014, many people believed the computer giant’s brightest days were behind it. It is currently the second-largest business in the world and is regarded as the leader in the battle to profit from artificial intelligence.

The company’s multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI and its ChatGPT bot, which a senior executive dubbed a “Windows 95 moment,” alluding to the wildly popular software release from nearly three decades ago, may turn out to be Nadella’s most revolutionary move.

That helped Microsoft surpass rivals like Alphabet Inc. in terms of AI skills, and is primarily responsible for the stock’s 50% increase this year.

“He is a well-liked person and has built an incredible team around him,” said Sam Garg, an associate professor at ESSEC Business School in Singapore. “He is also among the few tech CEOs who are not reviled by politicians and regulators.”