What does a typical day look like for billionaire Gabe Newell, the gaming industry titan? In a conversation with Zalkar Saliev, conducted from one of his yachts, the Valve co-founder shared his daily routine, revealing a life that seamlessly blends intense work with leisure.
Newell described his day: “I wake up, I work, I go scuba-diving, then I work some more, after which I either dive again or go to the gym. I live on a boat, so I just spend time with everyone on board. And then I work again. I work seven days a week, right from my bedroom, as you can see. I enjoy working, it`s fun, and it doesn`t feel like work to me. The things I get to do every day are simply awesome.” PC Gamer confirmed the authenticity of this interview.
Newell noted that the traditional idea of retirement is to “stop doing your horrible job and do what brings the most pleasure and entertainment.” In this sense, he feels he has been `retired` for quite some time, as his work is genuinely enjoyable and fulfilling.
Beyond his pivotal role at Valve, Newell has diversified his interests. He founded Starfish Neuroscience, a neural interface company that directly competes with Elon Musk`s Neuralink. He is also actively collaborating with a company that is developing an `aerosol pathogen detection device,` designed to identify microorganisms present in the air.
“I just work all the time,” he said. “But it`s not like, `Oh my god, I`m slaving away at something late at night.` It`s more like, `I can`t go to sleep because I`m having fun,` you know?”
Newell`s journey began when he dropped out of Harvard in the early 80s to join Microsoft. He later departed as a millionaire, partnering with Mike Harrington to establish Valve Corporation. Today, he stands as a prominent billionaire, with Forbes estimating his net worth at an astounding $9.5 billion. Despite his immense wealth, he maintains a surprisingly grounded approach, even personally delivering Steam Decks to fans in 2022, showcasing his continued connection to the community.