MARK ZUCKERBERG
MARK ZUCKERBERG BIOGRAPHY
Mark Zuckerberg, born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, is the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc. He is one of the most influential figures in the tech world and a key player in the development of social media. With a net worth of approximately $100 billion as of 2023, Zuckerberg ranks among the world’s wealthiest individuals.
Zuckerberg grew up in Dobbs Ferry, New York, in a well-educated family. His father, Edward, was a dentist, and his mother, Karen, worked as a psychiatrist. Zuckerberg showed an early interest in computers and programming, creating a messaging program called ZuckNet at the age of 12 to help his father’s dental office communicate more efficiently. He also developed computer games and software applications while still in high school.
In 2002, Zuckerberg enrolled at Harvard University where he studied psychology and computer science. During his sophomore year, he launched Facemash, a website that allowed students to rate the attractiveness of their peers by comparing their photos. Although Facemash was quickly shut down by Harvard, it laid the groundwork for what would become Facebook. Along with his roommates Dustin Moskovitz, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, and Chris Hughes, Zuckerberg launched Facebook on February 4, 2004, initially as a social networking site for Harvard students.
The platform quickly expanded to other Ivy League schools and eventually universities across the United States. In 2005, Facebook received its first significant funding—a $12.7 million investment from Accel Partners—and continued to grow rapidly. Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to focus on the platform full-time, relocating to Palo Alto, California, where Facebook’s headquarters were established. The company opened the platform to the general public in 2006, and it has since evolved into one of the most influential social media platforms globally, with billions of users.
Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, Facebook diversified its business model by acquiring several key companies. In 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram, a popular photo-sharing platform, for $1 billion. In 2014, it purchased WhatsApp, a messaging service, for $19 billion, and Oculus VR, a virtual reality company, for $2 billion. These acquisitions helped Facebook broaden its reach and enter new markets, including virtual reality and messaging services.
In 2021, Zuckerberg announced Facebook’s rebranding to Meta Platforms, Inc., signaling the company’s shift towards building the metaverse, a virtual reality space where users can interact in a fully immersive environment. This strategic pivot reflects Zuckerberg’s long-term vision of creating interconnected digital spaces and experiences.
Zuckerberg remains a leading figure in the tech industry. His work has transformed how people connect and communicate, and his vision for the future of digital interaction continues to shape the tech landscape. Zuckerberg has also committed to philanthropy, notably through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, which he founded with his wife, Priscilla Chan, in 2015. The organization focuses on causes such as education, health, and scientific research, with a goal of advancing human potential and promoting equality.
Zuckerberg and Chan have pledged to give away 99% of their Facebook shares over their lifetimes to fund their philanthropic efforts. This commitment underscores Zuckerberg’s broader aspirations to make a lasting social impact beyond the tech world.
Today, Zuckerberg continues to lead Meta Platforms as it expands into new technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). His contributions to the tech industry, along with his ambition to build the metaverse, ensure that he will remain a central figure in shaping the future of technology.