How do you define "developer"? The man has certainly written his share of code, and has contributed it to the community. I don't know how he has made his living, over the years, but I bet he's been paid to develop at some point.

I read an interview with him many years ago in which he said he can't do much programming anymore due to painful arthritis.

RMS makes his money by being paid for roughly half (iirc) of the talks and speeches he gives around the world. That has been his only source of income for years now.

I am also not sure we should tie developer with money.