Forbes estimated Markus “Notch” Persson’s net worth at $1.4 billion as of July 28, 2026. The fortune is primarily tied to the 2014 sale of Mojang, the company behind Minecraft, to Microsoft for $2.5 billion—not a $2.5 billion payment to Persson personally.
Markus Persson’s net worth in 2026
Forbes’ real-time billionaire profile listed Persson’s net worth at approximately $1.4 billion on July 28, 2026. That is an estimate, not an audited statement or a disclosure of how much cash he holds. Net worth means the estimated value of assets minus liabilities, and a ranking can change as investments and other assets are revalued or as spending, taxes, and liabilities change. Forbes’ Markus Persson profile identifies computer games as his source of wealth.
How Markus Persson made his fortune
Persson, a Swedish programmer known online as Notch, created Minecraft. The game began as an independent project and became a global commercial success; Mojang released it commercially in 2011. Persson co-founded Mojang, which Microsoft agreed to acquire in September 2014. Microsoft announced the purchase for $2.5 billion in cash. Microsoft’s announcement confirms the acquisition, while Forbes’ post-sale report describes Persson’s role and the reported deal details.
How much did Persson receive from the Mojang sale?
The $2.5 billion was the price for Mojang, not Persson’s individual payout. Forbes reported that Persson owned approximately 71% of the company. Applying that percentage to the stated purchase price gives an illustrative gross stake value of about $1.775 billion before taxes, transaction costs, and other adjustments:
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$2.5 billion × 71% ≈ $1.775 billion
This arithmetic is not a confirmed payout. Other shareholders held interests in Mojang, and the calculation does not establish Persson’s net proceeds or the value of his assets and liabilities today. His estimated $1.4 billion net worth is a separate, later measure. Forbes reported an estimate of $1.3 billion in March 2015; later articles repeating that figure may simply rely on older information. Forbes’ 2015 interview provides historical context for the sale and the estimate at that time.
Why net-worth estimates differ
There is no public balance sheet in the cited coverage that establishes Persson’s exact present-day wealth. Estimates can vary because publishers use different valuation dates and assumptions, update at different intervals, and may treat private investments, property, taxes, or liabilities differently. A figure of $1.3 billion published in 2015 or reported in 2025 is not directly comparable to Forbes’ later July 2026 estimate without accounting for the dates and methods behind them.
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- Check the date: A net-worth figure without an “as of” date can be stale.
- Check what the figure represents: An acquisition price is not the seller’s personal proceeds, and estimated net worth is not cash on hand.
- Treat private-asset estimates cautiously: Public profiles do not reveal a complete, independently verified inventory of assets and liabilities.
Persson’s reported Beverly Hills purchase
In December 2014, Bloomberg reported that Persson bought a Beverly Hills mansion for $70 million. The property was described as approximately 23,000 square feet, with eight bedrooms and 15 bathrooms. Bloomberg’s report is a historical account of the purchase, not evidence of Persson’s current ownership or the home’s present value. Forbes also covered the property at the time: Forbes’ 2014 real-estate report.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does Markus Persson still own Minecraft?
No. Microsoft acquired Mojang in 2014, along with the business behind Minecraft. Persson is the game’s creator and a former Mojang owner, but he should not be described as its current owner or controller. The cited acquisition announcement does not establish that he receives ongoing Minecraft royalties, so current income from the franchise should not be assumed.
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