Michael Dell’s wife is Susan Lieberman Dell, an American philanthropist and fashion entrepreneur believed to have been born in 1965 in Dallas, Texas. Michael Dell is the billionaire founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, one of the world’s largest computer companies. While Michael built his fortune in the tech industry, Susan has carved out her own path as a businesswoman, athlete, and co-founder of one of America’s largest private charitable foundations. This article covers everything you need to know about Susan Dell, including her early life, career, marriage to Michael Dell, children, and net worth.
Who Is Susan Dell?
Susan Lynn Lieberman Dell grew up in Dallas, Texas, in a close-knit Jewish family. Her father, Dr. Zelig Lieberman, worked as a physician, while her mother, Marilyn Lieberman, managed the household. Susan grew up alongside two brothers in a home that placed a strong emphasis on education and hard work. Most biographical sources place her birth year around 1965, though a few list 1963, so her exact age has never been confirmed through a single official record.
After finishing high school, Susan pursued higher education at Arizona State University in Tempe, where she studied fashion merchandising and design. This academic background would later shape her professional career and personal interests. Following college, she relocated to Austin, Texas, and took a job in real estate with Trammell Crow, a major commercial real estate firm. Susan was also known as a serious athlete long before she became a public figure, with a strong interest in cycling, marathons, and endurance sports that has stayed with her throughout her life.
Susan Dell’s Career & Professional Life
Susan Dell has built a career that stands well apart from her husband’s success in the tech world. Drawing on her education in fashion merchandising, she founded her own luxury fashion label, Phi, which reflects her long-standing passion for style and design. Running her own couture house, she has approached the fashion business with the same drive and intensity that Michael brought to building Dell Technologies.
Beyond fashion, Susan is best known as the co-founder and chair of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, a global philanthropic organization established in 1999. Under her leadership, the foundation has directed billions of dollars toward education, childhood health, and family economic stability programs around the world. In December 2025, Susan and Michael made headlines with a pledge of $6.25 billion to fund children’s savings accounts, one of the largest single philanthropic commitments ever made by an American family.
Susan is also an accomplished athlete, having competed in marathons, triathlons, and even the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. While her personal net worth is not reported separately from her husband’s fortune, Michael Dell’s net worth has been valued at well over $100 billion in recent years, largely tied to his stake in Dell Technologies.
How Did Michael and Susan Dell Meet?
Michael and Susan’s story began in February 1988, when Susan was introduced to Michael through a real estate client in Austin, Texas. At the time, Michael had recently started his computer hardware company, then called PC’s Limited, fresh out of college. He was an ambitious young entrepreneur, though not yet the world-famous businessman he would become.
Their first date led to a second outing that involved a demanding 50-mile bike ride, which gave Susan an early glimpse of Michael’s competitive drive and stamina. Despite some initial hesitation, Susan quickly found herself drawn to Michael’s personality and vision for his growing company. She reportedly sensed his potential for success early on, and that instinct proved accurate as Michael’s company grew rapidly in the years that followed.
Their courtship moved forward steadily, and the couple grew closer as Michael’s business began to take off. Within roughly a year and a half of meeting, the two decided to get married, setting the stage for a partnership that would last for decades and eventually extend into major philanthropic work together.
Marriage & Wedding Details
Michael Dell and Susan Lieberman got married on October 28, 1989, in Austin, Texas, the city that would become their permanent home. The wedding took place at a point when Michael’s company was still relatively young, well before it grew into the tech giant it is today. Their marriage has now lasted well over three decades, making it one of the more enduring partnerships among prominent tech industry families.
Since their wedding day, Michael and Susan have built both a business legacy and a philanthropic one, with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation later becoming a central part of their shared life’s work. Over the years, the couple has continued to appear together at major philanthropic events, reflecting a partnership built on shared values as much as personal connection.
Children & Family Life
Michael and Susan Dell are parents to four children, whom they have largely kept out of the spotlight compared to many other high-profile families. Their only son, Zachary Dell, has followed a path closest to his father’s, working in venture capital at Thrive Capital. While still in high school, Zachary founded a dating app called Thread aimed at university students, and he has spoken about the business lessons his father shared with him during everyday moments like car rides.
The Dell family resides in Austin, Texas, where they balance a private family life with a highly visible role in global philanthropy. Despite Michael’s massive wealth and public profile as a tech founder, Susan has worked to keep the family’s day-to-day life grounded, particularly during turbulent periods in Dell’s corporate history, such as the company’s 2013 buyout and its later acquisition of EMC Corporation.
Susan Dell on Social Media
Susan Dell maintains a more low-key social media presence compared to many spouses of billionaire entrepreneurs. Her public posts tend to focus on philanthropic milestones, foundation updates, and occasional glimpses into her fashion work and athletic pursuits, rather than personal lifestyle content. When she and Michael are featured together online, it is typically tied to a charitable announcement or a public appearance connected to the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, keeping the focus on their shared philanthropic mission rather than personal branding.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Susan Lynn Lieberman Dell |
| Date of Birth | Reportedly 1965 (Dallas, Texas) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Philanthropist, fashion entrepreneur, foundation chair |
| Married to | Michael Dell |
| Marriage Year | 1989 (October 28) |
| Children | 4 (including son Zachary Dell) |
| Net Worth | Not separately confirmed; tied to Michael Dell’s fortune (100+ billion) |
[INTERNAL LINK: Read about other tech billionaire wives and their inspiring stories]
FAQ Section
Q: What is Michael Dell’s wife’s name? A: Michael Dell’s wife is Susan Lieberman Dell. She is a philanthropist, fashion entrepreneur, and co-founder of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
Q: How old is Susan Dell? A: Susan Dell’s exact age is not officially confirmed, with most sources citing a birth year of 1965, which would put her around 60 years old.
Q: What does Susan Dell do for a living? A: Susan Dell runs her own luxury fashion label called Phi and serves as co-founder and chair of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, a major global charity.
Q: When did Michael and Susan Dell get married? A: Michael and Susan Dell got married on October 28, 1989, in Austin, Texas, shortly after Michael’s company began to grow.
Q: How many kids do Michael and Susan Dell have? A: Michael and Susan Dell have four children together, including their son Zachary Dell, who works in venture capital.
Conclusion
Susan Dell is far more than the wife of a billionaire entrepreneur. As a fashion designer, elite athlete, and co-founder of one of America’s largest philanthropic foundations, she has built a legacy that stands on its own. Her marriage to Michael Dell, which began in 1989, has grown into a decades-long partnership rooted in shared values around giving back. Together, Michael Dell and his wife, Susan, continue to shape both the tech world and the world of philanthropy, proving that behind one of tech’s most recognizable names is a partner with an equally remarkable story.
