NetWorth
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Filo
David Filo
Rank #918
UNITED STATES•technology•Yahoo

David Filo

Net Worth
$4.559B
0% (24h)
David Filo, co-founder of Yahoo!, is an American billionaire and a key figure in the history of the internet. Born on April 20, 1966, Filo's career began with his education at Tulane University and Stanford University, where he met Jerry Yang. Together, they created "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web," which later became Yahoo!, transforming how people navigate and access information online. Filo's technical expertise was crucial to Yahoo's early success. Today, he is known for his philanthropic efforts through the Skyline Foundation, supporting causes such as education and environmental sustainability, solidifying his legacy as a tech innovator and a benefactor. His net worth, as of 2024, is estimated to be $4.6 billion.

How to read David Filo's profile

Public net-worth figures are estimates. They combine observable inputs—typically listed equity, disclosed transactions, and market prices—with editorial judgment where filings are incomplete (for example, private holdings, debt, or cross-holdings). For David Filo, we anchor the narrative to Yahoo and Yahoo, then update the headline number as markets move. The chart on this page is meant to show trajectory, not a certified balance sheet.

When you see $4.559B alongside global rank #918, interpret it as our best synthesis of widely cited ownership and price signals—not a claim about cash on hand. Estimates can diverge from other publishers because of different treatment of options, trusts, charitable vehicles, or illiquid assets. We document the general approach in methodology and welcome corrections via corrections.

Country (UNITED STATES) and career milestones on this page are curated for reader context; they should be verified against primary sources when used for research. Editorial metadata for this profile is refreshed on a rolling basis, with deeper audits at least annually (last noted cycle: 2026).

Looking for depth? When available, the dossier and timeline sections below add long-form context beyond the headline number—prioritize those modules when evaluating claims about strategy, controversies, or philanthropic commitments.

The Full Dossier

Early Life

David Robert Filo was born on April 20, 1966, in Wisconsin, and was raised in Moss Bluff, Louisiana. He attended Tulane University, earning a bachelor's degree in computer engineering in 1988. Filo then pursued a Master of Science in electrical engineering at Stanford University, where he met Jerry Yang.

Rise to Success

In 1994, while at Stanford, Filo and Yang created "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web," a directory of websites designed to help users navigate the early internet. This project was the foundation of Yahoo!, which was formally incorporated in 1995. Filo, known internally as the "Chief Yahoo," focused on the technical aspects and engineering strategy, helping to build Yahoo! into a leading internet brand. Yahoo! went public in April 1996.

Key Business Strategies

Filo's role was pivotal in Yahoo!'s early technological development and infrastructure. The company expanded rapidly through acquisitions, including Rocketmail and ClassicGames.com. Yahoo! also made strategic investments and partnerships, like the one with SoftBank for Yahoo! Japan.

Philanthropy

David Filo, along with his wife Angela, established the Skyline Foundation (formerly the Yellow Chair Foundation) in 2001. The foundation supports causes such as education, environmental protection, and journalism, using a trust-based approach to grant-making. Filo has also personally donated to educational institutions, including a $30 million donation to Tulane University's School of Engineering in 2005.

Career Timeline

2001

Skyline Foundation Founded

Established the philanthropic foundation

1996

Yahoo! IPO

Yahoo! went public on the Nasdaq

1995

Co-founded Yahoo! Inc.

Founded the company that became one of the leading internet brands in the 1990s

1994

Co-created "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web"

With Jerry Yang, created a directory of websites, which would later become Yahoo!

Philanthropic Impact

Education$30M

Tulane University

Donation for engineering and computer science scholarships

EducationUndisclosed

Stanford University

Major benefactor, supporting programs in sustainability and education

Education, JournalismUndisclosed

University of California, Berkeley

Major benefactor, primarily supporting the graduate school of journalism

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

David Robert Filo was born on April 20, 1966, in Wisconsin, and was raised in Moss Bluff, Louisiana. He attended Tulane University, earning a bachelor's degree in computer engineering in 1988. Filo then pursued a Master of Science in electrical engineering at Stanford University, where he met Jerry Yang.

Rise to Success

In 1994, while at Stanford, Filo and Yang created "Jerry and David's Guide to the World Wide Web," a directory of websites designed to help users navigate the early internet. This project was the foundation of Yahoo!, which was formally incorporated in 1995. Filo, known internally as the "Chief Yahoo," focused on the technical aspects and engineering strategy, helping to build Yahoo! into a leading internet brand. Yahoo! went public in April 1996.

Key Business Strategies

Filo's role was pivotal in Yahoo!'s early technological development and infrastructure. The company expanded rapidly through acquisitions, including Rocketmail and ClassicGames.com. Yahoo! also made strategic investments and partnerships, like the one with SoftBank for Yahoo! Japan.

Philanthropy

David Filo, along with his wife Angela, established the Skyline Foundation (formerly the Yellow Chair Foundation) in 2001. The foundation supports causes such as education, environmental protection, and journalism, using a trust-based approach to grant-making. Filo has also personally donated to educational institutions, including a $30 million donation to Tulane University's School of Engineering in 2005.

Data Sources & Methodology

Figures for David Filo are synthesized from the sources below and cross-checked against our net worth methodology. Estimates may lag market moves; see corrections to report discrepancies.

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