Steve Jobs' Wife: Laurene Powell Jobs
Laurene Powell Jobs met Steve Jobs at Stanford, married him in 1991, and has become one of the world's most influential philanthropists.
Who Is Laurene Powell Jobs?
Born: November 6, 1963, West Milford, New Jersey
Education: BA from University of Pennsylvania; MBA from Stanford
Net Worth: ~$13.7 billion (2024)
Role: Founder of Emerson Collective; owner of The Atlantic
How They Met
1989: Stanford Graduate School of Business
Jobs was giving a guest lecture. Laurene was an MBA student. According to Jobs' biographer:
- Jobs sat next to her at dinner after the lecture
- They talked all evening
- He skipped a meeting to have dinner with her
- They began dating immediately
Jobs later said that meeting Laurene was among the best things that happened to him.
Their Marriage
Married: March 18, 1991
Location: Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite National Park
Officiant: Zen Buddhist monk Kobun Chino Otogawa
The ceremony was intimate—Jobs had a complicated relationship with religion but was influenced by Zen Buddhism.
Their Children
- Reed Paul Jobs (1991) — Named after Steve's biological father
- Erin Siena Jobs (1995)
- Eve Jobs (1998) — Now a professional equestrian and model
- Lisa Brennan-Jobs (1978) — Initially denied paternity, later reconciled
Laurene's Career Before Steve
- Worked at Goldman Sachs for three years
- Worked at Merrill Lynch in asset management
- Had a successful finance career
She wasn't just "Steve Jobs' wife"—she was accomplished independently.
After Steve's Death
Laurene inherited Steve's fortune and has used it for philanthropy:
- Education reform
- Immigration policy
- Environmental conservation
- Journalism and media
- Acquired majority stake in The Atlantic (2017)
- Invested in various media companies
- Climate change initiatives
- Education access programs
- Immigration reform advocacy
- Signed the Giving Pledge
Her Impact
- XQ: The Super School Project (reimagining high school)
- College Track (first-generation college access)
- Various climate and social initiatives
Keeping Steve's Legacy
- Supported the authorized biography
- Opposed the 2015 film (felt it was inaccurate)
- Protected family privacy