Michael Krasny Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

Michael Krasny is an American entrepreneur and business magnate — best known as the founder and former CEO of CDW Corporation, a leading provider of technology products and services. He built the company from humble beginnings into a multibillion-dollar enterprise, securing his place among the richest self-made entrepreneurs in the U.S.

Introduction

Michael Krasny was born on August 8, 1953, a date that marks his birthday annually. Over decades of work in technology retail and strategic business leadership, he accumulated an estimated net worth of around US$1.3 billion. Reports indicate he is married (to a spouse named Janet Krasny) and has maintained a private but stable family life. 

From Early Hustle to Tech Retail Powerhouse

Michael Krasny’s journey from modest roots to billionaire status reads like a classic American-entrepreneur success story. Growing up in Illinois in a Jewish family, he completed his studies at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business, graduating in 1975. 

After graduation, he worked at his father’s car dealership selling Toyotas. But by the early 1980s, he had become fascinated by the nascent personal-computer market. In 1982 he sold his own computer via a classified ad in the Chicago Tribune — making a profit. That transaction sparked an idea. 

What began as buying and reselling used computers in his kitchen quickly evolved into a full enterprise. Krasny founded a company initially called MPK Computers; within a year, he rebranded it as CDW Corporation. Over the next decade, he steered it through rapid growth, culminating in CDW going public in 1993. 

Defining moments in Michael Krasny’s journey include:

• Selling his personal computer in 1982 — the spark that revealed demand in computing equipment resale.

• Founding MPK Computers and rebranding into CDW Corporation.

• Taking CDW public in 1993.

• Serving as CEO and guiding CDW to become a leading national technology-retail company.

• Retiring in 2007 after selling CDW for a multibillion-dollar deal. 

The Core Pillars of Michael Krasny’s Wealth

The core pillars of Michael Krasny’s wealth include:

• Ownership and leadership of CDW Corporation — his founding and long-term leadership of CDW laid the foundation for the bulk of his fortune. 

• Sale of CDW — the sale of CDW (reportedly a $7.3 billion transaction) secured his status as a billionaire and provided liquidity and capital for future ventures. 

• Post-sale investments and asset holdings — including real estate investments, such as a high-value Lincoln Park condo purchase, reflecting continued diversification.

Relationships & Personal Life

Despite his public success, Krasny has kept his personal life relatively low-key. He is married to Janet Krasny, and together they have one child, according to multiple profiles.

Key insights into Michael Krasny’s relationships and personal life:

• He appears to maintain a stable, private married life, out of the public-spotlight glitz typical of many billionaires. 

• Though a public figure in business, Krasny has largely avoided tabloid-style exposure; there is no widely circulated scandal or public drama associated with his personal life.

• His privacy suggests a preference for maintaining a clear boundary between his professional legacy and family or personal affairs.

Beyond Business: Lifestyle, Assets & Interests

Beyond career success, Michael Krasny leads a lifestyle that reflects both passion and purpose, including:

• Real estate investments — including a luxury condominium in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, suggesting a taste for urban, high-end property. 

• Interests in technology and retail — the same drive that fueled CDW continues to influence his investments and personal holdings.

• Likely modest public exposure — Krasny does not court media attention outside of his business and investment activities, maintaining privacy and discretion.

Because Krasny stepped away from active leadership after CDW, public reporting does not highlight flashy cars, celebrity parties, or ostentatious lifestyle headlines — suggesting a more reserved personal life.

How Michael Krasny Net Worth Is Evaluated — And Why Numbers Vary

Estimates of Michael Krasny’s fortune differ slightly depending on the source. According to a 2024 real-estate report, his net worth is about US$1.3 billion. Older sources — such as valuation sites — have placed it around US$1.2 billion. 

Differences arise because:

• The value of private holdings and real estate fluctuate over time.

• Some estimates are based on publicly disclosed holdings (e.g. stock, sale proceeds), while others attempt to include less-transparent investments or real estates.

• Wealth can shift due to investments, market forces, or philanthropy.

Regardless of exact figure, Krasny remains firmly within the billionaire class — a testament to decades of entrepreneurial vision and execution.

Public Image, Legacy & Influence

Michael Krasny occupies a unique place in business history. As founder of CDW Corporation, he is credited with pioneering a successful, customer-oriented model for technology retail and distribution. His story — from selling his own computer on a whim to building a multibillion-dollar company — is often cited as a quintessential example of self-made success.

Though he keeps personal details private, Krasny’s legacy is evident in the continued prominence of CDW and in his reputation among peers as a thoughtful, strategic, and low-profile business leader. His investments and assets suggest a commitment to prudent financial stewardship rather than flashy celebrity — contributing to a public image grounded in respect, pragmatism, and longevity.

Conclusion

Michael Krasny’s story — born August 8, 1953 — is a striking example of entrepreneurial grit, vision, and steady growth. From a small beginning reselling one used computer to founding and scaling CDW Corporation into a leading technology-retail giant, his journey underlines the power of spotting opportunity and relentlessly pursuing it. With an estimated net worth around US$1.3 billion and a stable personal life with spouse Janet Krasny, his legacy is built on business acumen, discretion, and long-term thinking.

For those looking to understand not only “how much he’s worth,” but “how he built it and who he is,” Michael Krasny stands as a symbol of grounded success — where ambition meets humility, and wealth is the result of vision, patience, and execution.