

Steve Ballmer

Former Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer, who Crain's Detroit Business describes as the richest living native Detroiter, told the publication on Wednesday that he plans to donate vast chunks of his estimated $27 billion fortune to address intergenerational poverty, and Detroit is "very likely" to be a beneficiary of his giving.

Ballmer, owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, and his wife Connie, spoke to Crain's Ron Fournier. They praised Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, and discussed their effort to end cycles of poverty.

They met with Duggan before attending the third annual Detroit Homecoming for influential expats.

Asked how likely that Detroit will get some Ballmer money, Connie told Crain's: "Someday? ... Very likely." Her husband nodded his head.

"I don't know if it's tomorrow," Steve Ballmer said. "We're trying to set expectations because we're not erratic. We build steady."