Who is entrepreneur and programmer Mark Zuckerberg?
Mark Elliot Zuckerberg, born May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, is an American entrepreneur and computer programmer. He is best known as a co-founder of Facebook and as the chairman and chief executive officer of Meta Platforms, the company formerly known as Facebook. Zuckerberg helped turn Facebook from a college social-networking website into a global technology company that owns platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger and Threads.
Background/biography
Zuckerberg grew up in Dobbs Ferry, New York. His parents are Edward Zuckerberg, a dentist, and Karen Kempner, a psychiatrist. He has three sisters: Randi, Donna and Arielle Zuckerberg.
He attended Ardsley High School before transferring to Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire. At Exeter, he studied subjects including classical literature and science and developed an early interest in programming. He later enrolled at Harvard University, where he studied computer science and psychology, though he left before graduating to focus on Facebook.
Zuckerberg began writing software while still young. He reportedly created programs for his family and his father's dental practice, and he later built projects with friends before arriving at Harvard. In 2004, he and fellow Harvard students launched TheFacebook, which quickly expanded beyond the university campus.
Technology career and business achievements
- Facebook — Co-founded the social-networking service in 2004 while studying at Harvard University.
- Facebook, Inc. public offering — Led the company through its initial public offering in 2012.
- Instagram acquisition — Facebook acquired the photo- and video-sharing platform in 2012.
- WhatsApp acquisition — Facebook acquired the messaging service in 2014.
- Meta Platforms — Facebook, Inc. changed its corporate name to Meta Platforms in 2021, reflecting a greater focus on virtual and augmented reality technologies and the metaverse.
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative — Co-founded the philanthropic organization with his wife, Priscilla Chan, in 2015.
- Threads — Meta launched its text-based social platform in 2023.
As Meta's chief executive, Zuckerberg has remained central to the company's product strategy, corporate direction and investments in areas such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality. Meta's Reality Labs division develops hardware and software including Quest virtual-reality headsets and related immersive technologies.
Facebook's rapid growth made Zuckerberg one of the most prominent figures in the technology industry. His leadership has also drawn scrutiny over issues including user privacy, misinformation, content moderation, election-related information and the social effects of major online platforms.
The Harvard project that became Meta
Facebook began as TheFacebook, a website initially intended for Harvard students. Zuckerberg created it with fellow students Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes. The service expanded to other universities and then to a wider public audience, eventually becoming Facebook.
In 2021, the parent company adopted the name Meta Platforms. Facebook remained the name of the flagship social-networking platform, while Meta became the corporate identity for the broader portfolio of social apps, messaging services and immersive-technology products.
Net worth
Zuckerberg's wealth is largely tied to his ownership stake in Meta Platforms. Forbes estimated his net worth at about $177 billion in its April 2024 billionaire ranking, although the value can change substantially with Meta's share price. His primary sources of wealth are Meta shares and compensation connected to his executive role.
Facts about Mark Zuckerberg
- His full name is Mark Elliot Zuckerberg.
- He married pediatrician and philanthropist Priscilla Chan in 2012.
- He and Chan founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which supports work in areas including science, education and community development.
- He left Harvard University in 2004 to work on Facebook, and Harvard later awarded him an honorary degree in 2017.
- He has publicly discussed learning Mandarin and delivered parts of public remarks in the language.
