Mark Zuckerberg, the name behind the social media giant Facebook, has become a household name over the past decade. But beyond the headlines and the boardrooms, how much do you really know about this tech prodigy? Let’s dive into 20 captivating facts about the man who changed the way we connect.
Facts About Mark Zuckerberg
- Harvard Dropout: Mark Zuckerberg attended Harvard University but dropped out in his sophomore year to focus on Facebook. He eventually received an honorary degree in 2017.
- Coding Prodigy: Mark began coding at a young age. By middle school, he had already created a messaging program named “ZuckNet” that his father used in his dental practice.
- Multi-Billionaire: According to Forbes, Zuckerberg became the world’s youngest self-made billionaire in 2008, at just 23 years old.
- A Unique Challenge: In 2010, he set himself a challenge to learn Mandarin Chinese. His motivation was partly personal (his wife Priscilla Chan is of Chinese descent), and partly business-oriented, considering China’s significant online market.
- Real Estate Acquisitions: Mark owns several properties in Palo Alto, California. He has spent over $30 million buying neighboring homes to ensure his privacy.
- Generosity: Together with his wife, Priscilla Chan, Mark pledged to donate 99% of their Facebook shares to charitable causes during their lifetime. This was announced in an open letter to their daughter.
- A Film Star?: While not playing himself, Zuckerberg was portrayed by actor Jesse Eisenberg in the 2010 film “The Social Network”, which chronicled the founding of Facebook.
- Meat Only from What He Kills: For a year, Zuckerberg only ate meat from animals he had personally hunted and killed as a personal challenge to learn more about sustainable farming and his food sources.
- One Dollar Salary: Following the footsteps of other tech leaders like Steve Jobs, Zuckerberg has taken a symbolic $1 salary as Facebook’s CEO.
- Visionary Projects: Beyond Facebook, Zuckerberg has been involved in various projects such as Internet.org, an initiative aimed at providing affordable internet access to everyone in the world.
- Private Communication: Mark owns a simple Acura TSX and once explained his choice by saying, “It’s safe and not ostentatious.”
- Yearly Challenges: Each year, he sets a personal challenge for himself. Past challenges have included reading two books a month, running a mile a day, and building an AI for his home.
- Family Man: Mark is a dedicated husband and father. He and Priscilla Chan have two daughters: Maxima and August.
- Sunscreen Enthusiast: A picture of Zuckerberg applying a heavy layer of sunscreen while surfing in Hawaii went viral, leading to various memes and jokes.
- Facebook’s Famous Blue: Did you know Zuckerberg is red-green colorblind? The blue color of Facebook is the richest color he can see.
- Security Measures: Due to security concerns, Zuckerberg reportedly has a team of 16 bodyguards who work in shifts to ensure his safety 24/7.
- Young Achiever: In 2010, Mark was named TIME magazine’s Person of the Year.
- Jewish Roots: Born to a Jewish family, Zuckerberg later identified as an atheist for some years. However, in recent years, he has shown appreciation for religion.
- Music Lover: Mark has an appreciation for music and once said that Daft Punk’s album “Random Access Memories” was his favorite.
- Famous Friends: Over the years, Zuckerberg has cultivated relationships with numerous high-profile individuals, including former U.S. President Barack Obama and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.