GlenSusan Lynn Lieberman Dell was born on October 28, 1965, in Dallas, Texas, United States. She is an American philanthropist, entrepreneur, fashion designer, and athlete.
Susan Dell serves as co-founder and board chair of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, one of the most influential family foundations globally. Married to Michael Dell, founder of Dell Technologies, she has played a central role in directing billions toward education, health, and economic opportunity for children and families. Her work spans the United States, India, Africa, and Israel. Beyond philanthropy, she built successful fashion brands, including the luxury label Phi, and maintains a lifelong commitment to athletic excellence as a competitive triathlete and marathon runner.
Susan Dell Early Life
Susan Lynn Lieberman Dell entered the world on October 28, 1965, in Dallas, Texas. She grew up in the North Dallas neighborhood of Russwood Acres in a driven, achievement-oriented Jewish family. Her father, Dr. Zelig “Zeck” Lieberman, was a prominent oncologist at Baylor University Medical Center, known for his fitness enthusiasm and positive outlook. Her mother, Marilyn Ely Lieberman, supported the household and encouraged active lifestyles. Susan has two brothers: Steve Lieberman, who built a career in real estate, and Randy Lieberman, who works in venture capital and business ventures.
The Lieberman home emphasized education, discipline, hard work, and community service. Family weekends often involved running together, with everyone racing to improve their times. Susan participated actively in sports from a young age, including tennis. She modeled briefly with the Kim Dawson agency during junior high for runway work and catalogs, which sparked her interest in fashion. Though she described herself as a social butterfly, she transferred to W.T. White High School after ninth grade, where she became a cheerleader and Sophomore Beauty while excelling in athletics.
Her upbringing in Texas shaped her values. The family valued professional success and giving back, influences that later guided her philanthropy. Susan developed a strong sense of independence and drive early on, knowing she wanted a life of purpose beyond any single role.
Susan Dell Education
Sheattended W.T. White High School in Dallas, where she balanced academics with a vibrant social life and athletic pursuits. After high school, she moved to Arizona and enrolled at Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe. She earned a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Design in the late 1980s.
Her studies combined creative interests with practical business skills in retail and design. Although she found some aspects of the program less challenging than expected, the education provided a solid foundation for her later work in fashion entrepreneurship. She also explored early-childhood education during her time at ASU. These experiences prepared her for diverse professional paths while reinforcing her competitive spirit from sports.
Susan Dell Career
Susan Dell’s professional journey reflects her multifaceted interests in fashion, business, athletics, and service. She began in real estate after college, moving to Austin to work for Trammell Crow. There, a client introduced her to Michael Dell in 1988, marking a personal and professional turning point.
Susan Dell Fashion Entrepreneurship
Susan launched her first clothing lines under her own name in the 1990s, designing high-end women’s wear popular in Texas. She created gowns for notable figures, including dressing the Bush daughters for an inauguration. Her designs emphasized style, quality, and personal expression.
In 2003-2004, she founded Phi, a luxury sportswear and ready-to-wear brand (pronounced “fee,” referencing the golden ratio). Phi aimed for sophisticated, minimalist, and intellectual designs blending hard and soft elements, urban edge, and innovative tailoring. Creative directors like Tim Gardner and later Andreas Melbostad contributed, with collections featuring leather jackets, trenches, draping, and modern silhouettes. The brand opened a SoHo store and gained recognition in fashion circles, selling in high-end retailers worldwide. Phi operated until around 2009, closing amid broader economic challenges.
Susan founded three fashion labels overall, demonstrating her commitment to creative business. She viewed these ventures as serious endeavors, investing significant effort and surrounding herself with talented teams. Her fashion work allowed her to establish an identity separate from her husband’s tech success.
Susan Dell Philanthropy and Leadership
In 1999, Susan and Michael Dell established the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation. Susan has guided its strategy as board chair for over 25 years. The foundation focuses on education, health, and family economic stability, committing over $10 billion total through grants, investments, and projects. It supports hundreds of active initiatives annually across the US, India, Africa, and Israel.
Key efforts include major investments in Texas healthcare, such as the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Dell Seton Medical Center, and Dell Children’s Medical Center. Following Hurricane Harvey, they helped create the $100 million Rebuild Texas Fund for long-term community recovery. The foundation has expanded charter schools, literacy programs, scholarships (like the Dell Scholars), and health innovations.
In December 2025, the Dells pledged $6.25 billion to support “Trump Accounts,” providing $250 seed deposits for approximately 25 million American children under age 10 (targeting those not qualifying for federal $1,000 deposits). This complements government efforts and emphasizes long-term opportunity through savings and investment.
Susan has served on President George W. Bush’s Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, as a life trustee of the Dell Children’s Foundation, and on the Cooper Institute board. Her leadership emphasizes measurable impact, innovation, and unlocking potential in children and families.
Susan Dell Athletic Achievements
Susan competed in elite marathons, triathlons, and the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Her athletic discipline complements her professional and philanthropic work, modeling resilience and commitment. She has completed demanding events even under challenging conditions, such as with injuries.
Susan Dell State of Origin
Susan Dell hails from Texas, specifically the Dallas area. She was born and raised in Dallas, where her family roots run deep. Her father practiced medicine there, and she attended local schools before moving temporarily for college. After marriage, she and Michael settled in Austin, Texas, which remains the family base. Texas shaped her values, philanthropy (with heavy investments in state institutions and disaster relief), and identity. She is a proud Texan whose contributions have earned recognition within the state.
Susan Dell Awards
Susan Dell has received notable honors for her public service and philanthropy. She was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame for her support of Texas families after Hurricane Harvey. In 2025, she and Michael jointly received the History-Making Texan Award from the Texas State History Museum Foundation, recognizing exceptional contributions to the state, nation, and world.
These awards highlight her impact in health, education, community resilience, and fitness advocacy.
Susan Dell Personal Life
Susan married Michael Dell on October 28, 1989, after meeting on a blind date in 1988. Their partnership balances his tech vision with her creative and philanthropic drive. They have four children: Zachary Dell (son), and daughters Alexa Dell, Juliette Dell, and Kira Dell. The family maintains a relatively private life in Austin, Texas, while owning properties elsewhere, including in Hawaii.
Susan prioritizes family dinners, traditions, and encouraging her children to pursue their paths. She continues athletic training and balances multiple roles as wife, mother, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Her Jewish heritage influences family values, and she has spoken about embracing various identities while forging her own.
Other Important Aspects of Susan Dell Life
Susan Dell’s approach integrates discipline from sports, creativity from fashion, and strategic vision from philanthropy. She invests deeply in initiatives with long-term generational impact, often collaborating with experts and organizations. Her foundation’s work in AI-enabled education, maternal health, literacy in Africa, and charter schools demonstrates adaptability to emerging needs.
She emphasizes that philanthropy is the couple’s most important work, focusing on access, support, and belief in children’s potential. Susan has noted the power of small opportunities compounding into major outcomes, drawing parallels to her husband’s early business success.
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Conclusion
Susan Lynn Lieberman Dell exemplifies a life of purpose, balancing personal passions with broad societal contributions. From her Texas roots to global philanthropy, she has driven meaningful change through fashion innovation, athletic perseverance, and strategic giving. Her leadership in the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation continues to open pathways for millions, underscoring a commitment to opportunity, family, and community that defines her legacy.
FAQs
What is Susan Dell’s full name and date of birth?
Susan Lynn Lieberman Dell was born on October 28, 1965.
Where was Susan Dell born and what is her nationality?
She was born in Dallas, Texas, United States, and holds American nationality.
What is Susan Dell known for professionally?
She is known for co-founding and chairing the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, her fashion brands including Phi, and her athletic accomplishments.
How many children do Susan and Michael Dell have?
They have four children: Zachary, Alexa, Juliette, and Kira Dell.
What major philanthropic pledge did Susan and Michael Dell make in 2025?
They pledged $6.25 billion to support investment accounts for approximately 25 million American children under age 10.
What awards has Susan Dell received?
She was inducted into the Texas Women’s Hall of Fame and received the History-Making Texan Award with her husband in 2025.
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