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Why there is no confirmed current net-worth figure
A personal net-worth estimate requires more than a salary or a snapshot of stock ownership. It depends on what someone owns and owes at a given time, including any changes in investments, property, business interests, debt, and taxes. The available sources do not establish those details for Sinegal today.
The Washington Post described Sinegal as having become wealthy through Costco, but its figures concern his pay in 2010, not his present-day net worth (The Washington Post, 2011). Without a dated, credible estimate and a stated basis, a specific dollar amount should not be treated as verified.
How Sinegal built his Costco career
Costco identifies Jim Sinegal and Jeff Brotman as the company’s co-founders; they opened the first warehouse in Seattle in 1983 (Costco company history). CASE reports that Sinegal retired as CEO on December 31, 2012, after 27 years in the role, and then served as a company advisor (CASE biography).
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Costco’s stated operating philosophy is, “Keep costs down and pass the savings on to our members” (Costco company information). That is a company statement, not a verified personal quotation from Sinegal.
What historical pay and stock figures show
Several dated figures provide context for Sinegal’s career, but they measure different things and cannot be added together to calculate his current wealth.
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| Figure | What it measures | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| $350,000 base salary, with eligibility for a discretionary bonus of up to $200,000 | Employment terms specified for fiscal 2011; the bonus was an eligibility limit, not proof of a bonus paid. | Costco SEC-filed employment agreement, 2010 |
| $4.25 million total compensation; reported 0.57% stock ownership | Forbes’ 2006 reporting. The stock value was based on the March 30, 2006 share price. | Forbes, 2006 |
| $3.5 million total pay; $350,000 salary | Reported compensation for 2010, not a measure of assets or net worth. | The Washington Post, 2011 |
Salary and total compensation are not the same measure, and stock ownership at a historical date does not establish what shares, if any, Sinegal holds now. Compensation, stock value, and realized gains also cannot be treated as interchangeable figures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why Costco’s value is not Sinegal’s net worth
Costco is a publicly traded company, not Sinegal’s personal asset. Its sales, revenue, or market value cannot be substituted for his personal wealth. Even a historical ownership percentage would not establish a current net-worth figure without evidence of later share sales, other assets, and liabilities.
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- This card is non-reloadable. No cash or ATM access. Funds do not expire. If available funds remain on your card after the valid thru date has passed, please call customer service for a replacement card. A one-time purchase fee applies at the time of checkout. No fees after purchase.
- To access your card information safely, type the complete website address shown on your Gift Card (MyGift.GiftCardMall.com) directly into your browser's address bar. Don't use search engines or shortened versions of the website address, as these may lead you to fake or fraudulent sites. Do not provide any Gift Card details (example: Card Number) to someone you do not know or trust. If you believe you've reached an illegitimate website, contact cardholder service at 1-888-524-1283. Be cautious of phishing sites, there are a variety of scams in which fraudsters try to trick others into paying with gift cards.
- To report your Lost or Stolen Physical Visa Card, call Customer Service 24/7 at 1 (888) 524-1283 to cancel your Gift Card as soon as you can. You will be asked to provide the Gift Card number and other identifying information.
- Use your Visa Gift Card in the U.S. everywhere Visa debit cards are accepted, including online.
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What can responsibly be concluded
- Sinegal co-founded Costco with Jeff Brotman, and their first warehouse opened in Seattle in 1983.
- He retired as Costco CEO at the end of 2012 after 27 years in the role and later served as an advisor.
- Dated reports document substantial compensation and historical stock ownership, but they do not establish his current personal net worth.
- No specific current dollar figure is verified by these sources.
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