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The Amazing Legend of the Widow of Apple's Founder: How She Changed the Rules of the Game in Technology and Philanthropy
At the intersection of the worlds of technology and philanthropy, Laurene Powell Jobs' name is undoubtedly getting a lot of attention. As the wife of Apple founder Steve Jobs, Laurene demonstrated extraordinary leadership and influence through her business and philanthropic work. From her early life to her later achievements, Laurene's story has inspired countless people to rethink the relationship between wealth and responsibility.
Early Life and Career
Laurene Powell Jobs was born in 1963 in West Milford, New Jersey. After earning a BA in political science and a BA in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, she received her MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business in 1991. She began her career in finance as a fixed income trading strategist at Merrill Lynch Asset Management and Goldman Sachs.
In 1997, Laurene co-founded Terravera, a natural foods company, with Carlos Watson, and she also serves on the board of directors of Achieva, an online tool platform that helps students prepare for standardized tests. During this time, she demonstrated her business acumen and passion for education, laying the foundation for her future philanthropic work.
Steve Jobs' Death and Legacy
On October 5, 2011, Steve Jobs died of cancer at the age of 56. Laurene inherited management of the Steve P. Jobs Trust, which owns 38 million shares of Apple and a 7.3% stake in The Walt Disney Company worth about $12.1 billion. Her wealth and influence subsequently increased dramatically, making her one of the richest women in the world.
“I hope to connect our business and philanthropic work to impact the world for the better.”
Late career and social movements
Laurene began her journey into social activism after founding Emerson Collective. The organization focuses on areas such as education reform, immigration policy and social justice. Another of her key initiatives is College Track, a nonprofit organization that helps socioeconomically disadvantaged students and has significantly increased graduation rates and college enrollment rates for international high school students.
"Our mission is to break down barriers to education so every student has the opportunity to succeed."
In 2015, Laurene launched the $50 million XQ Initiative, a program designed to reshape high school education in the United States. This program challenges the traditional education model by funding the creation of new high schools and prompts all sectors of society to re-examine the value and direction of education.
Charity and the issue of transparency
While Lauren has received much praise for her philanthropy, she has also faced criticism for a lack of transparency. According to Inside Philanthropy, she was voted the "least transparent super philanthropist" in 2019. Whether her philanthropic strategy is transparent enough remains a controversial topic.
Personal life
Laurene and Steve Jobs married in 1991 and have three children. She has kept a relatively low profile in her personal life, but her relationship with Steve remains an important chapter in her life. She made large investments in her wife's name in 2014 and her own wealth in 2024, including a recent sustainable city construction project in California.
"Our responsibility is not only to make money, but also to give it back to society."
As a successful business woman and passionate philanthropist, Laurene Powell Jobs' story is not only the result of her personal efforts, but also the embodiment of her unwavering belief in the future. Her dual influence in the worlds of technology and philanthropy makes her one of the most influential people of our time. As Laurene continues to promote social change and educational reform, how will she change the fate of more people in the future?
