Jack Dorsey is a rare visionary who has shaped the digital landscape not just once, but twice. Whether you’ve sent a tweet or used a small card reader on an iPhone to buy coffee from a food truck, you’ve experienced his influence firsthand. As the co-founder of Twitter and the mastermind behind Square (now Block, Inc.), Dorsey has cemented his place in modern technology.
As of 2025, Dorsey is 48 years old with an estimated net worth of $4 billion. Although Twitter made him a household name, the bulk of his wealth now comes from his fintech company, Block Inc., proving that he is as much a pioneer in financial technology as he is in social media.
From Hacking Taxi Companies to Revolutionizing the Internet
Jack Dorsey’s path into the tech world was anything but traditional. Born on November 19, 1976, in St. Louis, Missouri, he developed an early fascination with logistics and real-time communication. As a teenager, he wasn’t just experimenting with coding—he was creating dispatch software for taxi companies, some of which is still in use today!
True to the spirit of a “benevolent hacker,” 17-year-old Jack Dorsey infiltrated New York City’s largest taxi dispatch system—not to disrupt it, but to expose its security flaws. His expertise didn’t go unnoticed; instead of facing consequences, he received a job offer that brought him to New York City, where he continued honing his coding skills and deepening his tech knowledge.
Eventually, Dorsey enrolled at NYU, but like many future Silicon Valley icons, he chose to leave before earning his degree, opting instead to immerse himself in the fast-paced world of tech startups.
Silicon Valley and the Birth of Twitter
Jack Dorsey’s big break came when he moved to San Francisco during the dotcom boom. After a few failed ventures, he found himself at Odeo, a podcasting company founded by Evan Williams. It was there, in 2006, that Dorsey, Williams, Biz Stone, and Noah Glass came together for a brainstorming session—one that would ultimately change the digital landscape forever.
Jack proposed the idea of a platform for short, SMS-style updates—a digital take on dispatch communication, but designed for the public. The team embraced the concept, and “Project Twttr” was set in motion.
When Twitter first launched, reactions were mixed. Some were intrigued, while critics brushed it off as a frivolous tool for sharing everyday moments. However, history proved them wrong. Twitter quickly grew into a powerful force, shaping politics, culture, and journalism—becoming the go-to platform for everything from presidential campaigns to breaking news.
Shaping Twitter and Beyond
As Twitter’s first CEO and later its chairman, Jack Dorsey played a crucial role in shaping the platform’s identity. He introduced key features like the @ mention and hashtag—tools that have since become essential to modern social media. Though he stepped back from daily operations in 2008, he returned as CEO in 2015, guiding the company through a challenging period.
Twitter’s Evolution and Musk’s Takeover
Fast forward to 2022, Elon Musk struck a deal to buy Twitter for $54.20 per share. At the time, Dorsey held roughly 18 million shares, earning him nearly $974 million when the transaction closed. Though no longer in charge, he remained closely connected to Twitter’s future, often voicing his thoughts on the platform’s direction post-acquisition.
The Game-Changer: Square and the Rise of Block Inc.
While Twitter made Dorsey a household name, Square is where he built his fortune. Co-founding the company in 2009 with Jim McKelvey, Dorsey aimed to solve a simple problem—McKelvey struggled to sell glass faucets because he couldn’t accept credit card payments. The solution? A compact, mobile card reader that enabled small businesses to process transactions using smartphones and tablets.
Square revolutionized mobile payments and the gig economy, becoming an essential tool for small vendors, food trucks, and independent businesses. By the time it went public in 2015, Square was valued at $3 billion, but that was just the start.
By 2021, Square’s market cap soared past $100 billion. In 2022, the company rebranded as Block Inc., signaling its expansion into blockchain, cryptocurrency (via Cash App and Bitcoin), and broader financial services.
As of 2025, Dorsey still owns around 43 million shares of Block Inc., worth approximately $2.5 billion. Combined with cash and other investments, his net worth stands at $4 billion, despite market fluctuations—including a hit from Hindenburg Research’s 2023 short-seller report, which temporarily affected Block’s stock.
A Commitment to Philanthropy
Dorsey is not just a tech entrepreneur; he’s also a dedicated philanthropist. In April 2020, he pledged $1 billion worth of Block shares—about 28% of his net worth at the time—to Start Small, an initiative supporting COVID-19 relief, women’s health, education, and Universal Basic Income (UBI).
True to his minimalist and transparent approach, he publicly tracked all donations. Within months, hundreds of millions were allocated to causes like America’s Food Fund, Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research, and COVID-19 relief in India.
Unlike many billionaires who spread out donations over years, Dorsey’s approach was direct and immediate—a stark contrast to the slow-moving “philanthropy theater” often criticized in elite circles.
Beyond Twitter: Bluesky and Other Ventures
Dorsey’s interest in social media didn’t end with Twitter. He co-founded Bluesky, a decentralized social media protocol designed to create an open-source, healthier alternative to existing platforms. This project reflects his belief in a more democratized internet, free from corporate monopolies.
Additionally, he has served on Disney’s board, made early investments in Foursquare and other startups, and explored interests in wellness and mindfulness. He is known for taking silent meditation retreats, including one in Myanmar, and often walks five miles to work—embracing simplicity despite his immense wealth.
A Life of Minimalism
Unlike many Silicon Valley elites, Dorsey avoids ostentatious displays of wealth. He owns a $10 million home in San Francisco and purchased the neighboring property for $22 million in 2017. Previously, he owned a Hollywood Hills estate, which he sold in 2019.
Despite his low-key lifestyle, his influence on the tech industry has been anything but quiet.
A Legacy of Disruption and Innovation
From revolutionizing digital communication with Twitter to transforming small business payments with Square, Dorsey has left an indelible mark on the tech world. Along the way, he has faced criticism—whether for splitting his focus between Twitter and Square or for Twitter’s role in shaping political discourse—but his impact is undeniable.
At 48, with a net worth of $4 billion, Dorsey continues to push boundaries in fintech and social media. Whether advocating for Universal Basic Income, exploring decentralized web projects, or simply walking through San Francisco, he proves that true leaders don’t follow trends—they create them.
