Early Life and Education of Elizabeth Holmes: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 1, 2025

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Elizabeth Holmes. From birth to education, explore key events.

Elizabeth Holmes is an American entrepreneur and the founder of Theranos, a blood-testing company that falsely claimed to have revolutionized blood testing with innovative methods using minimal blood. Theranos's valuation reached $9 billion, making Holmes the youngest self-made female billionaire in 2015, according to Forbes. However, investigations revealed the company's technology was fraudulent, leading to a drastic revision of Holmes's net worth to zero and tarnishing her reputation. She was subsequently convicted of fraud for her role in the Theranos scandal.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

February 3, 1984: Elizabeth Holmes's Birth

On February 3, 1984, Elizabeth Anne Holmes, the founder of Theranos, was born. She later became a biotechnology entrepreneur.

Others born on this day/year

2002: Holmes Attends Stanford University

In 2002, Elizabeth Holmes began attending Stanford University, where she studied chemical engineering and worked as a student researcher.

2003: Holmes started wearing black turtlenecks upon founding Theranos

Elizabeth Holmes said she started wearing black turtlenecks upon founding the company in 2003.

2003: Holmes Reports Being Raped at Stanford

In 2003, Elizabeth Holmes reported that she was raped while at Stanford University.

2003: Holmes Works at Genome Institute of Singapore

In 2003, after her freshman year at Stanford, Elizabeth Holmes worked in a laboratory at the Genome Institute of Singapore, testing for SARS-CoV-1.

March 2004: Holmes Drops Out of Stanford and Starts Healthcare Company

In March 2004, Elizabeth Holmes dropped out of Stanford's School of Engineering and used her tuition money as seed funding for a consumer healthcare technology company.