I think he also received a buttload of stock from Redhat? as a thank you for pushing the OS forward. I'm researching where I heard this from now (anyone have a link?)

Ahh here it is: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds

"Red Hat and VA Linux, both leading developers of Linux-based software, presented Torvalds with stock options in gratitude for his creation.[13] In 1999, both companies went public and Torvalds' net worth shot up to roughly $20 million.[14][15]"

He works for the Linux Foundation, Jim Zemlin is his "boss".