LeaderPortfolio
Skoll
Jeff Skoll
Rank #747
UNITED STATESTechnologyEBay

Jeff Skoll

Net Worth
$5.468B
-0.42% (24h)
Jeff Skoll is a Canadian-American billionaire entrepreneur, and philanthropist, best known as the first president of eBay. Born in Montreal, Quebec, he earned an MBA from Stanford University and co-founded the Skoll Foundation, which supports social entrepreneurs. Skoll's career began in technology, where he played a pivotal role in eBay's early success, authoring its business plan. His net worth is estimated at $5.3 billion as of March 25, 2026. He is also the founder of Participant Media, a film production company focused on socially relevant content. Skoll's commitment to philanthropy includes significant contributions to address global challenges through various initiatives.

How to read Jeff Skoll'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 Jeff Skoll, we anchor the narrative to eBay and EBay, 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 $5.468B alongside global rank #747, 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

Jeffrey Stuart Skoll was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on January 16, 1965. His family later settled in Toronto. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1987 with a degree in electrical engineering and earned an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1995. As a child, he was influenced by authors and aimed to write motivational stories, but he chose a career path in business.

Rise to Success

After graduating from Stanford, Skoll joined eBay as its first full-time employee and first president in 1995. He played a crucial role in developing eBay's business plan, leading the company through its initial public offering (IPO). He served as president until 2001. In 1998, he helped establish the eBay Foundation.

Key Business Strategies

Skoll's strategic vision helped to establish eBay as a leading e-commerce platform. After leaving eBay, he founded Capricorn Investment Group, an investment firm. He also founded Participant Media in 2004, a film production company focused on producing films with social impact.

Philanthropy

Skoll is a dedicated philanthropist, and he founded the Skoll Foundation in 1999. The Skoll Foundation supports social entrepreneurs working to address global challenges. He has committed to The Giving Pledge and has pledged to give away at least half of his wealth to philanthropy. He also founded the Skoll Global Threats Fund in 2009, which focuses on issues like climate change, pandemics, and water security.

Career Timeline

2009

Founded Skoll Global Threats Fund

Established a fund to address global threats such as climate change and pandemics.

2004

Founded Participant Media

Founded a film production company focused on creating socially conscious films.

1999

Founded Skoll Foundation

Established the Skoll Foundation to support social entrepreneurs.

1998

Vice President, Strategic Planning and Analysis

Took on the role of Vice President after Meg Whitman's arrival.

1995

First President of eBay

Became the first full-time employee and president of eBay, helping to develop the company's initial business plan.

Philanthropic Impact

Social Entrepreneurship$1.2B

Skoll Foundation

Supports social entrepreneurs addressing global challenges.

Global ThreatsUndisclosed

Skoll Global Threats Fund

Focuses on issues like climate change, pandemics, and water security.

Net Worth History

In-Depth Analysis

Early Life

Jeffrey Stuart Skoll was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on January 16, 1965. His family later settled in Toronto. He graduated from the University of Toronto in 1987 with a degree in electrical engineering and earned an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1995. As a child, he was influenced by authors and aimed to write motivational stories, but he chose a career path in business.

Rise to Success

After graduating from Stanford, Skoll joined eBay as its first full-time employee and first president in 1995. He played a crucial role in developing eBay's business plan, leading the company through its initial public offering (IPO). He served as president until 2001. In 1998, he helped establish the eBay Foundation.

Key Business Strategies

Skoll's strategic vision helped to establish eBay as a leading e-commerce platform. After leaving eBay, he founded Capricorn Investment Group, an investment firm. He also founded Participant Media in 2004, a film production company focused on producing films with social impact.

Philanthropy

Skoll is a dedicated philanthropist, and he founded the Skoll Foundation in 1999. The Skoll Foundation supports social entrepreneurs working to address global challenges. He has committed to The Giving Pledge and has pledged to give away at least half of his wealth to philanthropy. He also founded the Skoll Global Threats Fund in 2009, which focuses on issues like climate change, pandemics, and water security.

Data Sources & Methodology

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