Jim Balsillie Net Worth (Money & Salary)
Jim Balsillie Net Worth (Money & Salary)
September 15, 2024
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Explore Jim Balsillie’s Net Worth!
Discovering the net worth of James “Jim” Balsillie, a Canadian businessman worth $800 million, who chaired and co-CEOed the software company Research in Motion, later known as BlackBerry. His departure from the company in 2012 was amidst financial struggles. Among his ventures, he founded the Centre for International Governance Innovation, the Balsillie School of International Affairs, and the Canadian Council of Innovators.
At Research In Motion’s peak, James Balsillie held a net worth of $2.3 billion. As Apple’s iPhone grew dominant in the cell phone market, RIM’s stock plummeted, greatly impacting his wealth. Apart from his business pursuits, Balsillie’s love for hockey led him to pursue NHL team ownership, albeit unsuccessfully so far.
(Harry How/Getty Images)
Story of Early Life and Education
Jim Balsillie was born on February 3, 1961, in Seaforth, Ontario, Canada, to Laurel and Raymond. Moving to Peterborough at the age of five, he pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree at Trinity College, University of Toronto in 1984, followed by a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1989.
Initial Career Steps
After graduating from Harvard Business School, Balsillie took on the role of an executive vice president and CFO of technology at Sutherland-Schultz, a firm in Cambridge, Ontario, until its acquisition by the Vollmer Group in 1992.
(Photo by Ramin Talaie/Corbis via Getty Images)
Research in Motion / BlackBerry Journey
Balsillie initiated discussions to acquire Research in Motion in 1992, ultimately investing $125,000 and becoming co-CEO alongside founder Mike Lazaridis. While Lazaridis focused on technology, Balsillie managed sales and finance. RIM excelled during the 1990s with the BlackBerry line but faced challenges in the smartphone era dominated by Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android. Balsillie stepped down as RIM’s chairman in 2007 but continued as a director and co-CEO.
Forced to resign as a director in 2009 due to stock option errors, Balsillie was reinstated in 2010 post OSC sanctions. By 2011’s end, he was RIM’s third-largest shareholder amidst employee layoffs and share value decline. In early 2012, Balsillie and Lazaridis resigned as co-CEOs, replaced by Thorsten Heins. Balsillie later quit the board due to disagreements with Heins.
NHL Ownership Pursuits
Balsillie’s pursuit to own an NHL team and relocate it to Hamilton, Ontario, faced three setbacks. His 2006 bid for the Pittsburgh Penguins was withdrawn after offering $185 million. A tentative deal to buy the Nashville Predators in 2007 fell through, and a 2009 attempt to acquire the Phoenix Coyotes post-bankruptcy was blocked by Judge Redfield T. Baum.
Pursuit of Philanthropy
With a strong philanthropic dedication, Balsillie established the Centre for International Governance Innovation in 2001, a Waterloo think tank promoting research and policy debate. In 2007, he founded the Balsillie School of International Affairs as a collaboration between CIGI, the University of Waterloo, and Wilfrid Laurier University. Additionally, Balsillie chairs the Canadian Council of Innovators among his various philanthropic endeavors.
Insights into Personal Life
Balsillie, previously married to Heidi from 1989 to 2011, shares two children, James and Rachel, with her.
In the biographical film “BlackBerry,” released in 2023, Glenn Howerton portrayed Balsillie. The businessman praised Howerton’s accurate and excellent portrayal.
2023 and 2024 data is available, with forecast data for 2025, 2026, 2027, and 2028.
* This information was taken from various sources around the world, including these countries:
Australia, Canada, USA, UK, UAE, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, US, United Kingdom, United States of America, Malaysia, U.S., South Africa, New Zealand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates.
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, American Samoa, Andorra, Angola, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan.
Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bouvet Island, Brazil, British Indian Ocean Territory, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi.
Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling Islands), Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Croatia (Hrvatska), Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic.
Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, France, Metropolitan, French Guiana, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories.
Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Heard and McDonald Islands, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy.
Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kiribati, North Korea, South Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg.
Macau, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Martinique, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montserrat, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar.
Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia, New Zealand (NZ), Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway.
Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Pitcairn, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe.
Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Helena, St. Pierre and Miquelon, Sudan, Suriname, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria.
Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates (UAE), UK (United Kingdom), USA (United States of America, U.S.), US Minor Outlying Islands.
Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City State (Holy See), Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British), Virgin Islands (US), Wallis and Futuna Islands, Western Sahara, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Jim Balsillie Net Worth (Money & Salary)
