History of Chris Hughes in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: August 6, 2025

Chris Hughes is an American entrepreneur best known as a co-founder of Facebook, where he also acted as a spokesperson until 2007. Later in his career, Hughes ventured into media, serving as the publisher and editor-in-chief of The New Republic from 2012 to 2016.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

November 26, 1983: Christopher Hughes Born

On November 26, 1983, Christopher Hughes, an American entrepreneur and author, was born.

Others born on this day/year

2004: Travels to Palo Alto with Mark Zuckerberg

During the summer break of 2004, Chris Hughes and Mark Zuckerberg traveled to Palo Alto, California to work on Facebook.

2006: Relocates to Palo Alto to rejoin Facebook

In 2006, after graduating from Harvard, Chris Hughes relocated to Palo Alto to rejoin Mark Zuckerberg and became involved in Facebook again.

2007: Leaves Facebook

In 2007, Chris Hughes ceased working at Facebook, the online social directory and networking site he co-founded.

2008: Volunteers for Barack Obama's presidential campaign

After leaving Facebook, in 2008, Chris Hughes volunteered for Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

March 2009: Named Entrepreneur in Residence at General Catalyst

In March 2009, Chris Hughes was named Entrepreneur in Residence at General Catalyst, a venture-capital firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

July 2010: Appointed to UNAIDS "High Level Commission"

In July 2010, UNAIDS (Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) appointed Chris Hughes to a 17-member "High Level Commission" tasked with spearheading a social and political action campaign for effective HIV prevention programs.

2010: Portrayed in "The Social Network"

In 2010, Chris Hughes was portrayed by actor Patrick Mapel in the film "The Social Network".

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January 2011: Announces engagement to Sean Eldridge

In January 2011, Chris Hughes and Sean Eldridge announced their engagement at a reception supporting Freedom to Marry.

March 2012: Purchases majority stake in The New Republic magazine

In March 2012, Chris Hughes purchased a majority stake in The New Republic magazine, becoming the publisher and executive chairman.

June 30, 2012: Marries Sean Eldridge

On June 30, 2012, Chris Hughes married Sean Eldridge.

2012: Becomes Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of The New Republic

In 2012, Chris Hughes became the publisher and editor-in-chief of The New Republic.

2012: Makes $500 million from Facebook IPO

In 2012, Chris Hughes made $500 million when Facebook's initial public offering took place.

December 2014: Staff resignations at The New Republic

In December 2014, shortly after the magazine's centennial celebration, editor Franklin Foer and literary editor Leon Wieseltier left The New Republic, and dozens of other staff and contributing editors resigned after a new chief executive described the new direction of the magazine. The magazine was forced to cancel its upcoming issue due to the staff departures.

2014: Sean Eldridge loses congressional bid

In 2014, Sean Eldridge, husband to Chris Hughes, lost his congressional bid by 29 points. They bought a $2 million residence in New York's 19th congressional district with the reported purpose of permitting Eldridge to run for the congressional seat there.

January 11, 2016: Puts The New Republic up for sale

On January 11, 2016, Chris Hughes put The New Republic up for sale, citing the difficulty of transitioning the institution into a digital media company.