Mark Elliot Zuckerberg (born May 14, 1984) is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist who is best known for co-founding Facebook, the world’s largest social networking platform, which has since rebranded to Meta Platforms Inc. He is the chairman, CEO, and largest shareholder of Meta. Over the years, Zuckerberg’s personal and professional journey has been characterized by his groundbreaking innovations in technology, controversies related to privacy and data handling, and his attempts to shape the future of social media and digital communication. As of 2025, Zuckerberg continues to be one of the most influential figures in the tech industry.
Early Life and Education
Mark Zuckerberg was born in White Plains, New York, to Edward Zuckerberg, a dentist, and Karen Kempner, a psychiatrist. He grew up in Dobbs Ferry, New York, in a Reform Jewish family alongside his three sisters: Arielle, Randi, and Donna. His paternal grandparents were German and Austrian immigrants, while his maternal grandparents were from Poland.
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| Born | Mark Elliot Zuckerberg May 14, 1984 |
| Education | Harvard University (dropped out) |
| Occupations | Businessman, philanthropist computerprogrammer |
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| Spouse | Priscilla Chan (m. 2012) |
| Children | 3 |
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Zuckerberg showed an early aptitude for technology. At the age of 11, he created ZuckNet, a simple messaging program to allow communication between his father’s dental practice and their home. He continued his interest in programming during high school, developing a music recommendation software called Synapse Media Player. The program used machine learning to analyze users' music preferences. In high school, he was already considered a programming prodigy and even attended graduate-level computer science courses at Mercy College.
Zuckerberg went on to attend Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, where he continued to excel in academics and captained the fencing team. He later enrolled at Harvard University in 2002, where he initially studied psychology and computer science.
The Birth of Facebook
While at Harvard, Zuckerberg lived in Kirkland House and became known as a programming genius. During his sophomore year, he created a website called Facemash, which allowed students to rate the attractiveness of their peers based on photos. Although the website was taken down after a few days due to privacy concerns and protests from students, it set the stage for Zuckerberg's future ventures.
In February 2004, Zuckerberg, along with his roommates Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, Chris Hughes, and Andrew McCollum, launched Thefacebook—a social network that allowed Harvard students to connect with one another. Initially restricted to Harvard students, the platform quickly gained popularity and expanded to other Ivy League schools and eventually to universities across the United States.
The platform was rebranded as Facebook in 2005, and Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard to focus on the growing business. Facebook’s success was helped by early investments from Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, who became Facebook's first major investor in 2004.
The Legal Battle and Growth of Facebook
In 2004, Zuckerberg was sued by Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra, who claimed that he had stolen their idea for a social network called HarvardConnection.com (later renamed ConnectU). The lawsuit was settled in 2008, with the Winklevoss twins and Narendra receiving a cash settlement of $20 million and 1.2 million Facebook shares.
By 2005, Facebook had expanded to high schools and then globally, growing exponentially in users. The platform’s appeal lay in its ability to connect people in a digital world that was previously constrained by geographical boundaries. Facebook’s early success attracted interest from larger tech companies, but Zuckerberg remained firm on Facebook’s independence, rejecting multiple acquisition offers.
Becoming a Billionaire and Going Public
Zuckerberg became a billionaire at the age of 23, when he made his first appearance on the Forbes list of billionaires in 2008. Facebook’s success was unparalleled, and Zuckerberg’s leadership was crucial in maintaining its growth. The company faced criticism and scrutiny, particularly over issues such as privacy and the spread of misinformation, but Zuckerberg remained focused on Facebook’s mission to connect the world.
In 2012, Facebook went public with an initial public offering (IPO), raising $16 billion. Zuckerberg became one of the youngest self-made billionaires in history, and Facebook’s valuation skyrocketed.
Expansion and Acquisitions
Zuckerberg oversaw several key acquisitions that expanded Facebook’s reach and capabilities. In 2012, Facebook acquired Instagram, a photo-sharing app, for $1 billion. In 2014, the company bought WhatsApp, a messaging platform, for $19 billion, making it one of the largest tech acquisitions in history. Facebook also acquired Oculus VR in 2014, signaling Zuckerberg’s interest in virtual reality.
Through these acquisitions, Zuckerberg built an expansive ecosystem around Facebook, solidifying the company’s position as the leader in social media and communication.
Controversies and Privacy Issues
Despite Facebook’s success, Zuckerberg’s leadership was not without controversy. Privacy scandals, such as the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018, in which the personal data of millions of users was harvested and used for political purposes, led to intense public scrutiny. Facebook was criticized for its handling of user data and its role in the spread of misinformation, particularly during the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.
Zuckerberg was called to testify before Congress and faced pressure to implement stricter privacy measures. In response, Facebook introduced changes to its privacy policies, and Zuckerberg pledged to focus on user security and data protection.
Philanthropy and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
In 2015, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), a philanthropic organization aimed at advancing science, education, and social causes. CZI has focused on areas such as curing diseases, improving education systems, and addressing social inequality.
In 2015, the couple announced that they would donate 99% of their Facebook shares over their lifetimes to charitable causes, an initiative aligned with the Giving Pledge, a campaign led by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.
Rebranding to Meta and the Metaverse
In 2021, Zuckerberg announced that Facebook would rebrand itself as Meta Platforms, reflecting the company's new focus on the metaverse—an immersive digital world that merges virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the internet. Zuckerberg has said that the metaverse is the "next big thing" for social media and digital interaction, envisioning it as a space where people can socialize, work, and play in virtual environments.
Meta has invested heavily in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies through its Oculus and Reality Labs divisions. However, Meta’s focus on the metaverse has drawn both excitement and skepticism, with some questioning the feasibility and long-term appeal of virtual worlds.
Challenges and Criticism
As of 2025, Zuckerberg and Meta continue to face challenges related to privacy, misinformation, and competition in the tech industry. The rise of TikTok has posed a threat to Facebook's dominance, and Meta’s metaverse ambitions have yet to materialize into the all-encompassing digital world that Zuckerberg envisions. Despite these hurdles, Zuckerberg remains determined to shape the future of social interaction and communication.
Legacy and Future
Zuckerberg’s legacy is already secure as one of the most influential tech entrepreneurs of the 21st century. His role in revolutionizing how people connect online through Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp has left an indelible mark on global society. As of 2025, he is focused on realizing the potential of the metaverse, while continuing to navigate the challenges that come with leading one of the largest tech companies in the world.
Though controversies and legal battles will always be part of his story, Zuckerberg’s impact on the digital age cannot be overstated. He is a symbol of innovation and resilience, continuously pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the digital realm.
Early Political Engagement and Support
Zuckerberg's political involvement began in the 2000s. He registered to vote in Westchester County, New York in 2002, but only cast his ballot for the first time in 2008. His political registration listed him as "no preference," and he voted in the 2008 and 2012 general elections. Zuckerberg first gained attention for his political support in 2013 when he hosted fundraising events for then-New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, focusing on education reform, particularly in charter schools. He also supported Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark, New Jersey, who ran for the Senate in 2013, later pledging $100 million to Newark’s public schools.
FWD.us and Immigration Reform
In 2013, Zuckerberg launched FWD.us, a lobbying group designed to push for immigration reform and improve education. However, FWD.us faced criticism for supporting pro-oil drilling advertisements, especially related to the Keystone XL pipeline, which angered liberal groups. The group’s support for immigration reform and a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants has been a central theme, which Zuckerberg publicly defended in response to negative feedback about the organization’s policies.
Public Stances and Controversial Moments
Zuckerberg’s political stances have often centered around progressive issues, such as LGBTQ+ rights and immigration reform. In 2013, Facebook participated in the San Francisco LGBTQ+ Pride Parade, reflecting Zuckerberg's commitment to equality. Similarly, he publicly supported Muslims in the wake of the 2015 Paris attacks and condemned discrimination against Muslim communities, citing his Jewish background as the basis for his position.
However, Zuckerberg’s actions have sparked controversy, particularly regarding Facebook’s role in facilitating misinformation and election interference. In 2013, during the PRISM scandal, Zuckerberg criticized the U.S. government for compromising privacy and freedoms. Zuckerberg's position on Black Lives Matter also became a flashpoint in 2016 when some employees crossed out the phrase "Black Lives Matter" on company walls. Zuckerberg responded by publicly condemning such actions, reiterating the importance of acknowledging systemic racial injustice.
Political Contributions and Shifting Views
Zuckerberg has financially supported progressive causes, such as immigration reform and social justice, especially in his twenties. However, his political views have become more complex in recent years. In 2024, he distanced himself from his previous political donations, especially following criticisms of his firm’s involvement in the 2020 election. Zuckerberg expressed regret for not doing more to resist Biden administration pressures on content censorship related to COVID-19, notably related to the "Zuckerbucks" controversy, where conservatives labeled his donations to election infrastructure as partisan.
Zuckerberg's recent actions, such as a 2024 dinner with former President Donald Trump, were seen as attempts to mend relations with the Republican side of politics. Additionally, Zuckerberg stated that he no longer intended to donate towards election infrastructure, and his private remarks suggested his political ideology leaned more toward libertarianism or classical liberalism. This marks a notable shift from his earlier, more liberal stances.
Employee Activism and Corporate Politics
By 2024, Zuckerberg began actively discouraging employee activism at Meta (formerly Facebook), seeking to steer the company away from the political activism that had grown within its ranks. This shift was part of a broader effort to maintain neutrality, as Zuckerberg tried to ensure that Meta remained a platform that would avoid becoming overly entangled in political or ideological battles.
In sum, Mark Zuckerberg’s political involvement has reflected his desire for social change and his vision of a more connected world, although his actions and stances have drawn both praise and criticism. As his political views continue to evolve, he remains a figure of considerable influence, straddling the intersection of technology, business, and politics.
Personal life
Marriage and children
Mark Zuckerberg's personal life is closely intertwined with his relationship with Priscilla Chan, whom he met during his sophomore year at Harvard University. They began dating in 2003, and in September 2010, Chan, then a medical student at the University of California, San Francisco, moved into Zuckerberg's rented house in Palo Alto, California.
The couple married on May 19, 2012, in a private ceremony at Zuckerberg's mansion, which also celebrated Chan's graduation from medical school. In July 2015, Zuckerberg shared that they were expecting their first child, after Chan had experienced three miscarriages. Their daughter was born in December 2015, and they later announced her Chinese name, Chen Mingyu (陈明宇), in a Chinese New Year video.
They welcomed their second daughter in August 2017, and in March 2023, the couple celebrated the birth of their third daughter. Zuckerberg shared the news of their growing family on his social media accounts.
In addition to their children, the couple shares a Puli dog named Beast, who has gained significant social media fame with over two million followers on Facebook. Zuckerberg also commissioned a 7-foot-tall sculpture of his wife, created by visual artist Daniel Arsham, which was unveiled in 2024.
References
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- (No date) PNGEGG - exclusive sticker PNG images. Available at: https://www.pngegg.com (Accessed: 03 January 2025).
- The 11-year relationship of college sweethearts, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan in 2024: Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, likable people (2024) Pinterest. Available at: https://in.pinterest.com/pin/900157044268634496/ (Accessed: 03 January 2025).
- Collins, M. (2018) 5 things you need to know about Facebook’s News Feed Changes: Justgiving Blog, JustGiving Blog |. Available at: https://blog.justgiving.com/5-things-you-need-to-know-about-facebooks-news-feed-changes/ (Accessed: 03 January 2025).
- Clever Tykes (2024) Mark Zuckerberg’s childhood, parents and upbringing, Clever Tykes. Available at: https://clevertykes.com/mark-zuckerbergs-middle-school-invention/ (Accessed: 03 January 2025).
- Mark Zuckerberg (no date) Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/profile/mark-zuckerberg/ (Accessed: 03 January 2025).