Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer.Photo:Steven Ferdman/Getty
Steven Ferdman/Getty
Peter Ballmer, son of former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, is speaking candidly about what it was like to grow up wealthy.
The former project manager turned stand-up comedian, 29, admitted on a recent episode of theCash Cutiespodcast that he was “deeply uncomfortable” with having a famous billionaire father.
“It was not something that I wanted to be a part of who I was,” he said in the Feb. 13 episode. “It’s not something that I made a part of my identity.”
Steve Ballmer, who led Microsoft from 2000 to 2014 afterBill Gatesstepped down from the position, currently has an estimated net worth of over $122 billion, according toForbes.
Still, Pete said his parents kept him and his brother’s childhoods relatively normal, and said he drove his dad’s old 1998 Lincoln vehicle and received a $10 weekly allowance as a kid.
“They didn’t grow up with money,” he said, noting that his parents had the idea that they “don’t want to be wasteful with money” and “don’t want to spend if we don’t have to.”
But because everyone knew who his dad was, he faced some challenges.
“There was one time after a lacrosse game in seventh grade [that] somehow the entire other team knew who I was,” he said. As the opposing team members said “good game” and gave each other a handshake, Pete said they told him, “Apple is better.”
But Pete also got candid about his privilege, describing how his family once went on a trip to visit the Statue of Liberty in New York City and had access to an exclusive lunch as others waited in line to order food.
“When you’re a billionaire…people will lay down for you,” he remarked.
The comedian has been able to reap some of the benefits of his wealth, though, including tipping off his dad to buy the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team and chances to meet former presidentsGeorge W. BushandBarack Obama.
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As far as his current financial situation, Pete says he mostly spends money onUbers,DoorDashand even on “conveniences” like flight change fees.
Still, the comedian pointed out one “funny” comment he gets when people tell him he’s going to be “really rich one day.”
“I’m like, ‘Yeah, are you asking me if I’m going to be excited about my parents dying?’” he quipped.
source: people.com
