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Alan Ashton is a household name in the the technology world. He is the co-founder of WordPerfect one of the first word processing software companies. His incredible career from a young software lover to a young philanthropist and successful business man. Alan Ashton has a strong devotion to technology and giving back to the community.
Early Life and Education
Alan Ashton was born in May 1942 in Salk Lake City. He was born and raised in a community that valued hard labour, education and service. He started loving computer at a very early age by the 1960s and 1970s renovation in technology.
Ashton enrolled in Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics, he later went to University of Utah in the 1970s where he go his PhD in computer science. His love for education and technology set the stage for his future contributions to the computing world
Career and the Creation of WordPerfect
In 1979, while teaching at BYU, Alan Ashton partnered with Bruce Bastian, a former pupil, to found WordPerfect Corporation. At first, the business was a little one that created word processing applications for small and microcomputers. The market for word processing was expanding at the time, and Ashton’s proficiency with software development was essential to the product’s success.
During the 1980s and early 1990s, WordPerfect swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most widely used word processing applications globally. Due in major part to its excellent functionality, availability across multiple platforms, and commitment to customer care, it was successful. Before losing market share to Microsoft Word in the mid-1990s, WordPerfect eventually engaged in direct competition with the latter.
Despite WordPerfect’s downfall as Microsoft Office dominated the market, Ashton’s vision and guidance contributed to the establishment of a business that revolutionised the way people interacted with computers and word processing.
Personal and Family Life
Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ Latter -day Saints and also known for his strong family values. Alan Ashton has dedicated his life to community service ., He and his wife Karen, have six children and many grandchildren.
Alan Ashton’s wife is well known for her contributions to the community, She is also the founder of the Timpannogos Storytelling Festival. One of the biggest storytelling festivals in the United States.
Alan Ashton’s Estimated Net Worth
After WorldPerfect was sold, Alan Ashton’s wealth grew rapidly. His net worth is believed to be $100 million to $150 million. Most of his wealth has been tied to sale of WordPerfect.
Like other computer moguls, Alan Ashton is not a household name. After leaving the software business, he has decided to focus on family, philanthropy and community projects.
How Alan Ashton Acquired Wealth
Together with Bruce Bastian, Ashton co-founded WordPerfect Corporation in 1979 while serving as a lecturer at Brigham Young University (BYU). Word processing was still in its infancy at the time, and Ashton’s software knowledge contributed to WordPerfect being one of the most widely used word processing applications worldwide.
WordPerfect gained popularity as the preferred word processing program for both people and enterprises during the 1980s thanks to its many features, compatibility across platforms, and simplicity of use. WordPerfect became well-known, and Ashton gained a substantial amount of fortune as a result of the company’s success.
A $1.4 billion deal saw Novell, a provider of networking software, purchase WordPerfect in 1994. Even though Microsoft Word would eventually overtake WordPerfect in terms of market share, Ashton had already amassed a fortune and established himself as one of the richest people in the computer sector at the time.
His Net Worth and Philanthropy: A Review
The journey of Alan Ashton from tech pioneer to philanthropist is one of the main themes of his biography. After leaving the tech sector, Ashton committed much of his time, resources, and energy to philanthropic endeavours.
Along with his wife, Karen Ashton, he founded the Thanksgiving Point Institute in Lehi, Utah, which is one of his most renowned achievements. Thanksgiving Point is a nonprofit centre for the arts, education, and recreation with large gardens, museums, and a golf course. Thanksgiving Point has become a prominent institution in Utah thanks to Ashton’s kind donations, drawing both residents and visitors for its family-friendly events and educational offerings.
Additionally, Ashton has contributed significantly to Brigham Young University, helping to finance innovations in technology and education as well as a number of other educational projects. His charitable endeavours encompass religious, cultural, and community-based establishments, frequently emphasising education and family values.
Net Worth Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|
| Full Name | Alan C. Ashton |
| Date of Birth | May 1942 |
| Place of Birth | Salt Lake City, Utah |
| Age | 82 (as of 2024) |
| Education | – Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, Brigham Young University (BYU) – PhD in Computer Science, University of Utah |
| Career | – Professor of Computer Science at BYU – Co-founder of WordPerfect Corporation (1979) |
| Key Accomplishment | Co-developing WordPerfect, one of the first and most widely used word processing programs of the 1980s and early 1990s |
| Company Sale | WordPerfect sold to Novell in 1994 for $1.4 billion |
| Family | Married to Karen Ashton, six children, numerous grandchildren |
| Philanthropy | Co-founded the Thanksgiving Point Institute, a nonprofit educational and recreational complex in Utah |
| Net Worth | Estimated between $100 million to $150 million (as of 2024) |
| How He Made His Money | Alan Ashton made his fortune from the development and sale of WordPerfect Corporation, which was sold for $1.4 billion to Novell in 1994. |
| Legacy | Known for his technological innovations and philanthropic contributions to education and the community |
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