Susan Dell is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, athlete, and public figure. She is widely known as the wife of technology entrepreneur Michael Dell, but she has built a significant career and public identity of her own. She is especially recognized for her work in fashion, philanthropy, health, education, and family-focused initiatives.
Susan Dell is the co-founder and chair of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. The foundation was established in 1999 and focuses on creating opportunities for families and helping improve lives around the world. Over more than two decades, Susan has played an important role in shaping its priorities and growth.
Beyond philanthropy, Susan has been involved in fashion and competitive athletics. She founded several fashion labels, including the luxury brand Phi, and competed in elite endurance events. Her career shows that her interests have extended well beyond her husband’s technology business.
Who Is Susan Dell?
Susan Dell is an entrepreneur and philanthropist best known for her work with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. She has spent much of her professional life supporting children, families, education, health, and community development.
She is also known for her fashion career. Susan founded three fashion labels during her entrepreneurial career, including Phi, a luxury fashion brand that received attention in the fashion industry.
Her work has given her a public profile independent of her role as Michael Dell’s wife. She has participated in philanthropic projects, served on boards, supported health initiatives, and taken part in major endurance competitions.
Susan Dell and Michael Dell
Susan Dell is married to Michael Dell, the founder and chief executive of Dell Technologies.
The couple met on a blind date in 1988 and married the following year. They later built a family and became major philanthropists through their foundation.
Their partnership has included both family and philanthropic work. While Michael became internationally known through the technology industry, Susan developed her own interests in fashion, athletics, and charitable initiatives.
Together, they have directed substantial resources toward programs involving children, education, health care, and economic opportunity.
Susan Dell’s Early Life
Susan Dell has generally maintained a relatively private personal life compared with many other well-known spouses of billionaires.
Her public identity became more prominent through her entrepreneurial and philanthropic work. Rather than remaining solely associated with her husband’s technology company, she developed independent interests in fashion and health.
Her later work with the Dell Foundation was strongly influenced by her interest in children and families. Her approach to philanthropy has often emphasized practical support and long-term opportunities.
Susan Dell’s Career
Susan Dell’s career has included several different areas.
She has worked as a fashion entrepreneur, philanthropist, board member, and endurance athlete. These interests have shaped her public career over several decades.
Her professional path is particularly notable because it combines business with charitable work. Her fashion career allowed her to build and manage brands, while her foundation work gave her a platform for addressing larger social issues.
Today, philanthropy is one of the most important parts of her public work.
Susan Dell and Fashion
Fashion has been an important part of Susan Dell’s career.
She founded multiple fashion labels, including Phi, a luxury brand that received attention for its runway presentations and fashion-industry presence. Forbes previously described Susan as the creator and chairman of the Phi fashion label.
Her fashion work demonstrated her interest in design and entrepreneurship outside the technology industry associated with her husband.
Although her fashion career is not as prominent today as her philanthropic work, it remains an important part of her professional history.
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What Is Phi?
Phi was a luxury fashion label founded by Susan Dell.
The brand became known within the fashion world and received coverage from major fashion publications. Susan was closely involved with the company and served as its chairman.
Her fashion business eventually ended, but it established her as an entrepreneur in her own right rather than simply being known as Michael Dell’s wife.
Susan Dell as an Athlete
Susan Dell has also developed a reputation as an accomplished endurance athlete.
She has competed in marathons, triathlons, and the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation describes her as an accomplished athlete with experience in elite endurance events.
Her athletic interests have also connected with her broader focus on health and wellness.
Susan has promoted active lifestyles and has participated in physical fitness initiatives. She previously served on President George W. Bush’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
Susan Dell’s Philanthropy
Philanthropy is one of the central parts of Susan Dell’s public career.
She and Michael Dell established the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in 1999. The foundation works to create opportunities for families and support programs intended to improve lives.
Susan has helped guide the foundation’s priorities for more than 25 years.
The foundation’s work has included areas such as:
- Education
- Health
- Family stability
- Economic opportunity
- Children’s well-being
- Community development
- Social enterprises
The foundation currently operates projects in multiple countries and regions.
Michael & Susan Dell Foundation
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is a major philanthropic organization founded by Susan and Michael Dell.
The foundation’s stated mission focuses on accelerating opportunities for families and creating pathways that can change lives. According to the foundation, Michael and Susan have committed $10 billion to nonprofits and social enterprises across the United States, India, Africa, and Israel. The foundation currently manages more than 800 active projects worldwide each year.
Susan serves as the foundation’s board chair.
Her role involves helping guide its strategic priorities and philanthropic direction.
Susan Dell and Education
Education has been one of the foundation’s major areas of interest.
The Dell Scholars Program is one example of the couple’s work in education. The program has supported students with financial assistance, mentoring, and other resources designed to help them succeed in college.
Susan has emphasized the importance of helping young people who may not have the same opportunities as more financially secure families.
Her interest in children and education has remained closely connected to the foundation’s broader mission.
Susan Dell and Health Care
Health care is another major area of Susan Dell’s philanthropic work.
The Dells have supported major health-care institutions and initiatives in Texas. Their contributions have included the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Dell Seton Medical Center, and Dell Children’s Medical Center.
Their philanthropic efforts have helped expand health-care infrastructure and research.
Susan’s interest in children’s health has also been an important part of the foundation’s work.
Dell Children’s Medical Center
Dell Children’s Medical Center is one of the most visible examples of the family’s support for pediatric health care.
The center focuses on medical care for children and has become an important health-care institution in Central Texas.
The Dells have also supported research and other health initiatives connected with children’s well-being.
Susan’s long-standing interest in children has helped shape this part of the family’s philanthropic activities.
Susan Dell and the Rebuild Texas Fund
Susan and Michael Dell also played an important role in the Rebuild Texas Fund after Hurricane Harvey.
The initiative was created to provide long-term support for communities affected by the disaster. The Dell Foundation states that the couple helped establish the $100 million fund.
The effort demonstrated the family’s interest in supporting communities during and after major crises.
Susan Dell’s Work With Children and Families
Children and families have remained central to Susan Dell’s philanthropic philosophy.
Her foundation’s programs have addressed education, health, economic stability, and other factors that influence family well-being.
Susan has previously described her interest in helping children who do not have the same advantages as her own family.
This focus has helped shape the foundation’s approach to philanthropy.
Susan Dell’s Role in the Community
Susan Dell has participated in several community and nonprofit organizations.
She has served on boards connected with children’s health and physical fitness. She has also been involved in organizations focused on health, education, and community improvement.
Her work has been particularly visible in Texas, where she and Michael Dell have supported numerous institutions.
Susan Dell’s Awards and Recognition
Susan Dell has received recognition for her philanthropic and community contributions.
She was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame for her efforts supporting Texas families after Hurricane Harvey.
In 2025, Susan and Michael Dell received the History-Making Texan Award from the Texas State History Museum Foundation. The award recognized their contributions to Texas, the United States, and the wider world.
These honors reflect the impact of their philanthropic activities.
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Susan Dell’s Recent Philanthropic Work
Susan Dell remains active in philanthropic work.
In recent years, the Dell family has announced major commitments connected with children’s financial opportunities and health and life sciences.
One of the biggest recent initiatives came through a $6.25 billion commitment announced in 2025 to provide financial head starts for 25 million American children through charitable vehicles and the Invest America initiative.
The initiative reflects the family’s continuing interest in expanding economic opportunity for children.
Susan Dell in 2026
Susan Dell continues to be involved in the work of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in 2026.
The foundation’s current profile identifies her as its founder and board chair. It also highlights her long-term involvement in guiding the organization’s strategy.
Recent developments involving the Dell family have placed increased attention on large-scale philanthropy, particularly projects related to children, health, education, and opportunity.
Susan’s role remains focused primarily on philanthropy and community impact.
Susan Dell’s Family
Susan Dell and Michael Dell have four children.
The family has generally kept many personal details private, particularly compared with the level of public attention surrounding Michael Dell’s business career.
Susan has spoken publicly about how being a mother influenced her approach to philanthropy.
Her experiences as a parent helped shape her interest in children’s health, education, and family stability.
Susan Dell’s Net Worth
Susan Dell is part of one of America’s wealthiest families because of her marriage and shared family assets with Michael Dell.
However, assigning a precise personal net worth to Susan alone can be misleading.
Most public estimates of the family’s wealth focus on Michael Dell’s ownership interests, investments, and family assets rather than separating Susan’s personal wealth.
For that reason, it is better to distinguish Susan Dell’s personal career from the Dell family’s overall wealth when discussing net worth.
Susan Dell’s Lifestyle
Susan Dell is known for maintaining an active lifestyle.
Her interests have included endurance sports, fitness, fashion, philanthropy, and family.
Her athletic background is particularly notable because she has competed in demanding endurance events, including the Ironman World Championships.
Her lifestyle also connects with her interest in health and wellness.
Susan Dell’s Impact on Philanthropy
Susan Dell’s influence extends beyond the traditional role often associated with the spouse of a technology billionaire.
She has helped develop a major philanthropic organization and has maintained a long-term focus on children and families.
Her approach combines financial support with programs designed to improve education, health, and economic opportunity.
The foundation’s global reach demonstrates how large-scale philanthropy can address issues across different communities and countries.
Susan Dell’s Career at a Glance
| Category | Information |
| Full name | Susan Dell |
| Known for | Philanthropy, fashion, athletics |
| Husband | Michael Dell |
| Foundation | Michael & Susan Dell Foundation |
| Foundation founded | 1999 |
| Role | Founder and Board Chair |
| Fashion brand | Phi |
| Athletic interests | Marathons, triathlons, Ironman |
| Main philanthropic focus | Children and families |
| Major areas | Health, education, economic opportunity |
| Recognition | Texas Women’s Hall of Fame |
| Recent award | History-Making Texan Award, 2025 |
What Is Susan Dell Best Known For?
Susan Dell is best known for three major areas of work.
First, she is recognized as the co-founder and board chair of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
Second, she has an entrepreneurial background in fashion, including her work with Phi.
Third, she is known for endurance athletics and participation in major events.
These different parts of her career make her a notable public figure beyond her marriage to Michael Dell.
Interesting Facts About Susan Dell
Here are some interesting facts about Susan Dell:
- She co-founded the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation in 1999.
- She serves as the foundation’s board chair.
- She founded multiple fashion labels.
- Phi was one of her best-known fashion ventures.
- She has competed in elite endurance events.
- She participated in the Ironman World Championships.
- She has supported children’s health and education.
- She served on President Bush’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
- She was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame.
- She and Michael Dell received the History-Making Texan Award in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions About Susan Dell
Who is Susan Dell?
Susan Dell is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and athlete. She is the co-founder and board chair of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
Is Susan Dell married?
Yes. Susan Dell is married to Michael Dell, the founder and CEO of Dell Technologies.
How did Susan Dell become famous?
She became widely known through her marriage to Michael Dell, but she also developed her own career in fashion, philanthropy, and endurance athletics.
What does Susan Dell do?
Susan Dell focuses primarily on philanthropy through the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. She has also worked as a fashion entrepreneur and has participated in endurance sports.
What is the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation?
It is a philanthropic organization founded by Susan and Michael Dell in 1999. It focuses on creating opportunities for families and supporting initiatives in areas such as health, education, and economic stability.
Does Susan Dell have children?
Yes. Susan and Michael Dell have four children.
What fashion company did Susan Dell start?
Susan Dell founded several fashion labels, including the luxury brand Phi.
Is Susan Dell an athlete?
Yes. She has competed in marathons, triathlons, and the Ironman World Championships.
What is Susan Dell’s role in the Dell Foundation?
Susan Dell is the founder and board chair of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation.
What is Susan Dell’s main philanthropic focus?
Her philanthropic work has strongly focused on children and families, with major interests in education, health, and economic opportunity.
Conclusion
Susan Dell has built a career that goes well beyond being known as Michael Dell’s wife. She has worked as a fashion entrepreneur, competed as an endurance athlete, and become a major figure in philanthropy.
Her most important long-term role has been with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Since its creation in 1999, she has helped guide its focus on children, families, education, health, and economic opportunity.
Susan Dell’s story is an example of how entrepreneurship, personal interests, and philanthropy can come together. Her continuing work with the foundation keeps her involved in projects designed to create opportunities for families in the United States and around the world.
