Steve Ballmer
AGE
42
CHILDHOOD
Grew up in Farmington Hills, Detroit. Father worked as an accountant for Ford.
EDUCATION
BS in math in 1977 from Harvard University. Spent one year at Stanford University business school before Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, a Harvard pal, lured him away with the promise of a 7% stake in the company.
CAREER
Began in 1977 as an assistant product manager at Procter & Gamble, marketing cake mixes. Then 18 years at Microsoft running administration, marketing, products, and sales and support.
FAMILY
Wife, Connie, is a former Microsoft public-relations person. Two sons. They live in a colonial house near Microsoft's Redmond, Wash., campus.
CAR
True to his Detroit roots, drives a red Lincoln Continental.
HOBBIES
Passionate about sports. A Detroit Pistons fan and a regular at Seattle SuperSonics games.
PERSON HE ADMIRES MOST
His parents, ''for their balance of patience and acceptance with motivation and agitation.''
WHAT KEEPS HIM UP AT NIGHT
Nothing, unless he's hurt his back playing basketball.
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