Apple’s Forgotten Founder Takes a Humorous Swipe at His $300 Billion Blunder in Busch Light Commercial

Apple’s Unexpected Co-Founder: The Story of Ronald Wayne

On April 1, 1976, history was made when Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer Company. This moment not only marked the beginning of a tech revolution but also introduced Ronald G. Wayne, a lesser-known co-founder, who made a fateful decision with his 10% stake in the company.

The Founding Agreement

The partnership agreement, signed by Jobs and Wozniak, allocated 45% stakes to each of the two founders. However, a third name appeared on the document: Mr. Ronald G. Wayne.

Wayne received the remaining 10% stake. Unfortunately for him, he sold this stake back to Jobs and Wozniak just weeks later for a mere $800. Additionally, he accepted $1,500 to relinquish any remaining claims, resulting in a total payout of $2,300 for what could have been a monumental investment.

Fast-forward to today, and Apple’s market capitalization stands at a staggering $3.2 trillion. Had Wayne held on to his share, it would now be valued at approximately $320 billion, placing him in contention for the title of the richest person in the world, a title currently held by Elon Musk.

Despite his initial involvement, Wayne never achieved millionaire status and instead returned to an ordinary life after leaving Apple. He found work in engineering, operated a small stamp business, and later retired to a mobile home in Pahrump, Nevada. His story serves as a cautionary tale of “what-could-have-beens” in the financial world, illustrating the perils of selling too soon.

Life After Apple

After cashing out, Wayne had brief stints at Atari and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He eventually opened a stamp and coin dealership, “Wayne’s Philatelics,” in Milpitas, California. However, after multiple break-ins, he decided to move to rural Nevada for a quieter life.

Despite the enormous wealth he forfeited, Wayne has exhibited no bitterness over his decision. He reaffirmed that, at the time, he made the best choice based on his life circumstances. At 41 years old, with existing assets to protect, he was wary of the risks associated with business partnerships, especially after previously experiencing a venture that left him personally liable for debts.

Interestingly, Wayne didn’t own an Apple product until 2011, when he received an iPad 2 as a gift at a tech conference. He later authored a memoir titled “Adventures of an Apple Founder” and a political work called “Insolence of Office.” Wayne has generally opted for a quiet life, finding joy in tinkering, reading, and collecting, rather than in chasing fame or fortune.

Recently, a new Busch Light commercial has injected humor into Wayne’s legacy, playfully emphasizing his missed opportunity. With a wink and a grin, Wayne appears in the ad promoting an apple-flavored version of Busch Light—an ironic nod to the fruit that eluded him nearly 50 years ago.