Ronald Wayne Claims to Still Hold 10% of Apple, Its Value Reaches IDR 6,000 Trillion

JAKARTA - A surprising claim comes from a figure who has long been forgotten in the history of technology. Ronald Wayne, the third founder of Apple, suddenly stated that he still holds 10% of the company's shares - even though he is known to have left only 12 days after Apple was founded.

He made the statement in a recent interview, reiterating his previous comments at the Computer History Museum. Wayne confirmed that he never actually sold his stake in Apple.

"I was there at the beginning, I played a major role. I did a lot of work for several weeks," Wayne said. "And from then until now, I still hold - at least in my opinion - 10% of the shares. I have never sold my interest in Apple to anyone. "

This claim immediately sparked debate, given that if true, Wayne would theoretically have a fantastic fortune.

Claim Colliding with Legal Facts

If you refer to Apple's valuation, which touched 4 trillion US dollars in October 2025, then 10% of the shares are equivalent to around 400 billion US dollars. This figure will put Wayne in the ranks of the richest people in the world, competing with names such as Elon Musk and surpassing Jeff Bezos and Mark Zuckerberg. However, legally and historically, the claim is difficult to maintain.

Wayne is known to have left Apple's initial partnership - which also involved Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak - by receiving a payment of 800 US dollars. The decision was made because he was concerned about the company's debt risk, in which he could be held personally responsible.

A year later, when Apple was incorporated by Mike Markkula, all previous ownership claims were officially settled. Markkula bought the initial partnership for $5,308.96, which was then divided into the three founders, including Wayne, to ensure no more claims in the future.

That is, legally, Wayne has given up all his rights to Apple since the company's inception.

Ironically, the contract document that marked Wayne's departure from Apple actually became a valuable artifact. In 2011, the document sold for up to 1.6 million US dollars - far exceeding what he had ever received from his involvement in Apple.

Wayne's story is often referred to as one of the "most expensive decisions in business history." But with his latest claim, the narrative has shifted again - from mere regret to controversy.

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