History of John McAfee in Timeline
John David McAfee was a British-American computer programmer and entrepreneur best known for founding the software company McAfee Associates. He created the first commercial anti-virus software, which he sold to his company. Later, McAfee became a vocal critic of the company and urged users to remove its software. He unsuccessfully sought the Libertarian Party nomination for president of the United States in 2016 and 2020.
September 1945: Birth of John McAfee
John McAfee was born in September 1945 on a US Army base in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, England.
September 1945: Birth and Family Background
John McAfee was born in September 1945 to an American father and a British mother. He spent his early years in Salem, Virginia, but also identified with his British heritage.
1967: Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics
John McAfee completed his bachelor's degree in mathematics at Roanoke College in Virginia in 1967.
1968: Meeting and Expulsion from College with First Wife
Around 1968, while pursuing a doctorate at Northeast Louisiana State College, John McAfee met Fran, an 18-year-old undergraduate student. Their affair led to his expulsion from the college. They later married.
1968: Programmer at NASA
John McAfee embarked on his career as a programmer at NASA, where he worked from 1968 to 1970.
1968: Doctoral Studies and Expulsion
John McAfee enrolled in a doctoral program in mathematics at Northeast Louisiana State College around 1968 but was subsequently expelled due to a relationship with an undergraduate student.
1970: Move to Univac
After his time at NASA, John McAfee transitioned to Univac, taking on the role of a software designer in 1970.
1978: Software Consultant at Computer Sciences Corporation
In 1978, John McAfee joined Computer Sciences Corporation, where he provided his expertise as a software consultant.
1980: Work at Booz Allen Hamilton
From 1980 to 1982, John McAfee was employed at the consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton.
1982: End of Tenure at Booz Allen Hamilton
John McAfee's time at Booz Allen Hamilton concluded in 1982.
1986: Discovery of the Brain Virus
While employed at Lockheed in 1986, John McAfee became aware of the Brain computer virus, a discovery that sparked his interest in antivirus software development.
1987: Marriage to Second Wife, Judy
John McAfee married his second wife, Judy, a former flight attendant at American Airlines, around 1987. The marriage ended in divorce in 2002.
1987: Founding of McAfee Associates
John McAfee, recognizing the threat of computer viruses, wrote the first commercial anti-virus software and founded McAfee Associates in 1987 to sell it.
1990: Financial Success
By 1990, McAfee Associates was flourishing, with annual revenues reaching $5 million as the demand for antivirus software surged.
1992: Incorporation and IPO
McAfee Associates underwent incorporation in Delaware in 1992 and subsequently held its initial public offering (IPO) in the same year.
August 1993: Stepping Down as CEO
John McAfee decided to step down from his role as chief executive of McAfee Associates in August 1993 but remained with the company as the chief technical officer.
1994: Founding of Tribal Voice
Following his departure from McAfee Associates, John McAfee went on to establish Tribal Voice in 1994, a company that developed the pioneering instant messaging program, PowWow.
1994: Departure from McAfee Associates
John McAfee resigned from his position at McAfee Associates and sold his remaining stake in the company in 1994.
2000: Investment in Zone Labs
In 2000, John McAfee made an investment in Zone Labs, a company known for its firewall software, and joined its board of directors.
2000: Yoga and Meditation Retreat
John McAfee purchased a sizeable property in Colorado in 2000 and established a retreat dedicated to yoga and meditation.
2002: Divorce from Second Wife, Judy
John McAfee and his second wife, Judy, divorced in 2002.
2003: Zone Labs Acquisition
Zone Labs was acquired by Check Point Software in 2003, marking an exit for John McAfee's investment.
2007: Impact of the Financial Crisis
John McAfee faced significant financial losses during the financial crisis of 2007-2008, which impacted his investments.
2008: Impact of the Financial Crisis
The financial crisis of 2007-2008 continued to affect John McAfee's fortune in 2008.
2008: Honorary Doctorate
Roanoke College bestowed an honorary Doctor of Science degree upon John McAfee in 2008.
2008: McAfee Named in Civil Suit Related to Aerotrekking Venture
John McAfee faced legal action in 2008 when he was named as a defendant in a civil lawsuit. The case stemmed from his involvement in the Aerotrekking light-sport aircraft business and the deaths of his nephew, Joel Bitow, and another passenger.
August 2009: Decline in Fortune
The New York Times reported in August 2009 that John McAfee's personal wealth had significantly diminished to $4 million from its peak of $100 million, primarily due to the impact of the 2007-2008 financial crisis on his investment portfolio.
2009: CNBC Interview and Investments
In 2009, John McAfee participated in an interview for CNBC's "The Bubble Decade" special. During the interview, he disclosed information about his investments in and construction of numerous mansions in the United States, many of which remained unsold following the 2007 global recession. The report also delved into his pursuit of cultivating plants on his property in Belize for their potential medicinal applications.
2009: Relocation to Belize
John McAfee made a significant life change in 2009 by relocating to Belize. He acquired a beachfront property on Ambergris Caye and later expanded his holdings by purchasing land near the mainland village of Carmelita. During this time, he chose to surround himself with a substantial security detail.
February 2010: Founding of QuorumEx
John McAfee, in collaboration with biologist Allison Adonizio, established the company QuorumEx in February 2010. Headquartered in Belize, QuorumEx focused on developing herbal antibiotics that targeted quorum sensing in bacteria.
August 2010: Intel Acquires McAfee
Intel completed the acquisition of McAfee in August 2010, marking a significant development in the company's history.
2010: McAfee Begins Posting on Bluelight Forum
John McAfee begins posting on the drug forum Bluelight under the pseudonym "Stuffmonger", engaging in discussions about his use and production of the drug MDPV. This online activity would later become a subject of controversy.
2010: McAfee Stops Filing Taxes
John McAfee ceases filing tax returns, a decision he would later publicly defend and attribute to his belief that taxes were illegal.
2010: Reported Use of MDPV and Online Drug Forum Participation
John McAfee reportedly started using the stimulant drug MDPV in 2010 and was a member of the online drug forum Bluelight.
2011: McAfee Continues Posting on Bluelight Forum
John McAfee continues to actively participate in discussions about MDPV on the Bluelight forum under the alias "Stuffmonger", further fueling controversy surrounding his activities during this period.
April 2012: Raid on McAfee's Property in Belize
On April 30, 2012, John McAfee's property in Orange Walk Town, Belize, was raided by the Gang Suppression Unit of the Belize Police Department.
November 2012: Person of Interest in Belize Homicide Investigation
Belize police named John McAfee as a person of interest in the homicide investigation of his neighbor, Gregory Viant Faull, in November 2012. McAfee, expressing fear for his safety, fled Belize instead of cooperating with the investigation.
December 2012: Deportation to the United States
After a series of legal maneuvers, John McAfee was deported from Guatemala to the United States in December 2012.
December 2012: McAfee Admits to Drug Use and Manufacturing
In December 2012, McAfee revealed to a Wired reporter that he had used the alias 'Stuffmonger' on the online drug forum Bluelight from 2010 to 2011. He admitted to discussing his experiences with the stimulant drug MDPV, including its use and production.
December 2012: Location Accidentally Revealed
In a stroke of misfortune, magazine Vice accidentally revealed John McAfee's location in Guatemala in December 2012 when a photo with embedded geolocation data was published.
December 2012: Arrest for Illegal Entry and Asylum Denial
John McAfee was arrested for illegally entering Guatemala in December 2012. His asylum plea was subsequently denied, leading to his detention and pending deportation to Belize.
December 2012: Meeting and Relationship with Janice Dyson
Shortly after returning to the US from Guatemala in December 2012, John McAfee met Janice Dyson, then a prostitute 30 years his junior. They began a relationship, and Dyson claimed McAfee saved her from human traffickers.
December 2012: Alleged Heart Attacks and Deportation Delay Tactics
While in detention in December 2012, John McAfee claimed to have suffered two minor heart attacks. However, his lawyer later stated they were anxiety attacks, and McAfee admitted to faking the heart attacks to delay deportation to Belize.
2012: Claim of Being a Hacking Target and Cybersecurity Practices
In 2012, John McAfee claimed he was a prime target for hackers due to his creation of the first commercial antivirus program. He said he took elaborate cybersecurity measures, including using pseudonyms, changing IP addresses, and having others purchase his computer equipment.
2012: Belize Police Clarify McAfee's Status
Belize police spokesman Raphael Martinez confirmed that, as of 2012, John McAfee had not been convicted of or formally charged with any crimes in Belize. He was considered a suspect in ongoing investigations.
June 2013: How to Uninstall McAfee Antivirus Video
In a move that garnered widespread attention, John McAfee uploaded a satirical video to his YouTube channel in June 2013. Titled "How to Uninstall McAfee Antivirus," the video featured McAfee criticizing the antivirus software while engaging in provocative acts. Despite drawing criticism, the video amassed millions of views. McAfee asserted that the video's intention was to satirize the negative media portrayal he had received.
2013: Founding of Future Tense Central
In 2013, John McAfee established Future Tense Central, a company with the goal of developing a secure computer network device known as D-Central.
2013: Marriage to Janice Dyson and Move to Portland
John McAfee and Janice Dyson married in 2013. The couple subsequently moved to Portland, Oregon.
2013: Return to the US and Belize Investigation
John McAfee returned to the United States in 2013 while he was being sought for questioning in Belize regarding a murder investigation.
January 2014: McAfee Claims Seizure of Assets and Suspicious Fire
While in Canada in January 2014, John McAfee alleged that the Belizean government had seized his assets during the raid on his property. He further claimed that his house had been destroyed in a fire under questionable circumstances.
January 2014: Rebranding as Intel Security
In January 2014, Intel revealed its decision to rebrand McAfee-related products under the name "Intel Security."
February 2014: Launch of Cognizant App
John McAfee introduced Cognizant in February 2014, a smartphone application designed to inform users about the permissions requested by other installed apps.
April 2014: Cognizant Renamed to DCentral 1 and Android Release
In April 2014, McAfee renamed the Cognizant app to DCentral 1 and made a free Android version available on the Google Play Store.
August 2014: Warning Against Smartphone Use at DEF CON
During the DEF CON conference in Las Vegas in August 2014, John McAfee cautioned the public about smartphone usage, suggesting that apps could be used for spying on unsuspecting individuals who don't scrutinize privacy agreements.
2014: Beginning of Alleged Tax Evasion Period
The year 2014 marked the beginning of the period during which John McAfee allegedly evaded taxes, according to the indictment unsealed upon his arrest in 2020.
August 2015: McAfee Arrested for DUI and Firearm Possession
On August 2, 2015, John McAfee was apprehended in Henderson County, Tennessee, and faced charges of driving under the influence and possessing a firearm while intoxicated.
September 2015: McAfee Announces Presidential Bid with the Cyber Party
John McAfee declared his candidacy for president of the United States in the 2016 election in September 2015, representing the newly established Cyber Party.
December 2015: McAfee Seeks Libertarian Party Nomination
In December 2015, John McAfee revised his presidential bid, announcing that he would instead seek the Libertarian Party's nomination.
2015: Residence in Lexington, Tennessee
In 2015, John McAfee resided in Lexington, Tennessee.
January 2016: McAfee Joins Everykey as Chief Evangelist
John McAfee assumed the role of chief evangelist for the security startup Everykey in January 2016.
February 2016: Offer to Decrypt San Bernardino iPhone
In February 2016, John McAfee volunteered to decrypt the iPhone used in the San Bernardino shooting, aiming to prevent Apple from creating a backdoor. He later conceded that his initial claims about the ease of decryption were a publicity stunt, though he maintained it was possible.
March 2016: Libertarian Party Presidential Debate
John McAfee participated in the Libertarian Party's first nationally televised presidential debate on March 29, 2016, alongside Gary Johnson and Austin Petersen.
May 2016: McAfee Becomes Chairman and CEO of MGT Capital Investments
May 2016 marked a significant turning point for John McAfee as he was appointed chairman and CEO of MGT Capital Investments, a technology holding company. He shifted the company's focus from social gaming to cybersecurity, and introduced Sentinel as the first product in this new direction.
September 2016: "Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee" Documentary Airs
September 2016 saw the premiere of "Gringo: The Dangerous Life of John McAfee," a Showtime documentary focusing on McAfee's controversial time in Belize. The film explored allegations of serious misconduct, including sexual assault and involvement in murders, claims that McAfee vehemently denied, calling them fabrications.
2016: Future Tense Central Becomes an Incubator
By 2016, Future Tense Central expanded its operations to become an incubator, fostering the growth of new businesses in addition to its focus on D-Central.
2016: First Libertarian Party Presidential Run
John McAfee made his first attempt to secure the Libertarian Party nomination for president of the United States in 2016.
2016: Libertarian National Convention Results
McAfee secured second place in the Libertarian Party primaries and came in third at the 2016 Libertarian National Convention.
2016: Report of Alpha-PHP Use and Potential Link to Paranoia
A 2016 report suggested that John McAfee's use of the then legal drug alpha-PHP, imported from China, might have contributed to his paranoia.
March 2017: Development of "King of the Jungle" Film Begins
In March 2017, plans for a film about John McAfee titled "King of the Jungle" were announced, with Glenn Ficarra and John Requa set to direct. The film, based on a script by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, aimed to chronicle McAfee's life, attracting interest from actors like Johnny Depp and Michael Keaton.
May 2017: McAfee and Wife Interviewed on ABC's "20/20"
In May 2017, John McAfee and his wife participated in an interview on ABC News's "20/20," addressing the ongoing investigation and speculation surrounding the murder of Gregory Faull in Belize.
July 2017: Bitcoin Price Prediction
In July 2017, John McAfee made a bold prediction on Twitter, stating that the price of a single bitcoin would soar to $500,000 within three years.
August 2017: Transition to "Chief Cybersecurity Visionary" at MGT
John McAfee stepped down as CEO of MGT Capital Investments in August 2017 but remained with the company as "chief cybersecurity visionary."
January 2018: Departure from MGT Capital Investments
McAfee's time at MGT Capital Investments came to an end in January 2018 when he left the company. Both parties stated that the separation was amicable. McAfee expressed his desire to fully dedicate his time to cryptocurrencies.
June 2018: Announcement of 2020 Presidential Bid
Despite his previous statement at the 2016 convention, John McAfee declared his intention to run for president again in 2020 on June 3, 2018, considering both the Libertarian Party and the possibility of forming a new party.
August 2018: McAfee Joins Luxcore as CEO
On August 13, 2018, John McAfee took on the role of CEO at Luxcore, a cryptocurrency company specializing in enterprise solutions.
November 2018: Wrongful Death Lawsuit and $25 Million Judgment
In November 2018, an Orlando court found John McAfee liable in the wrongful death lawsuit concerning Gregory Faull's death. McAfee, who didn't appear in court, was ordered to pay $25 million to Faull's estate.
December 2018: Claim of Having 47 Children
In December 2018, John McAfee made a startling claim on Twitter, stating he had fathered 47 children. This claim was met with mixed reactions, with his third wife describing him as "father of many, loved by few."
2018: End of Alleged Tax Evasion Period
The year 2018 marked the end of the period during which John McAfee allegedly evaded taxes, as per the indictment revealed upon his arrest in 2020.
January 2019: McAfee Continues Campaign "in Exile"
In January 2019, following reports of tax-related felony indictments against him, his wife, and campaign staff by the IRS, John McAfee announced his decision to continue his presidential campaign "in exile" from "international waters."
January 2019: Claim of Being on the Run from US Authorities
John McAfee announced in January 2019 that he was on the run from US authorities, claiming an impending indictment on tax evasion charges. He claimed to be living internationally on a boat.
July 2019: Bitcoin Price Prediction Update
In July 2019, McAfee revised his previous bitcoin price prediction, forecasting a value of $1 million by the end of 2020.
July 2019: McAfee Arrested in Dominican Republic
John McAfee and his companions were detained in July 2019 while his yacht was docked in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The arrest was made on suspicion of possessing high-caliber weapons and ammunition. They were released after four days.
August 2019: McAfee's Controversial Death and Conspiracy Theories
In August 2019, John McAfee's death in a Spanish prison cell was ruled a suicide, but it sparked widespread speculation and conspiracy theories, fueled by McAfee's previous claims of potential threats to his life. Comparisons were drawn to the death of Jeffrey Epstein, with some suspecting foul play. McAfee's widow and lawyer maintained he showed no signs of suicidal intent, calling for a thorough investigation.
November 2019: Zac Efron Joins "King of the Jungle" Cast
By November 2019, actor Zac Efron was reported to be starring in "King of the Jungle" as journalist Ari Furman, further developing the film about John McAfee's life.
November 2019: Social Media Post Hinting at Possible Assassination
In November 2019, John McAfee posted a message on social media suggesting he might be targeted for assassination, raising suspicions and fueling conspiracy theories surrounding his eventual death.
2019: McAfee Claims to Have Not Filed Taxes Since 2010
John McAfee publicly stated in 2019 that he had not submitted a tax return since 2010, asserting that taxes were unlawful.
January 2020: Bitcoin Prediction Revealed as a Ruse
John McAfee admitted in January 2020 that his prior bitcoin predictions were "a ruse to onboard new users." He expressed his belief that bitcoin's potential was limited due to its outdated technology.
March 2020: Suspension and Reinstatement of Presidential Campaign, Endorsement of Adam Kokesh
In a series of events in March 2020, John McAfee initially suspended his presidential campaign, endorsed Vermin Supreme, and announced his candidacy for the Libertarian Party vice presidential nomination. However, he quickly reversed course, resuming his presidential bid. The following month, he endorsed Adam Kokesh for president and became Kokesh's running mate, while still pursuing the presidency himself.
August 2020: False Arrest Claim and Social Media Controversy
In August 2020, John McAfee falsely claimed he was arrested in Norway for refusing to replace a thong with a face mask. He posted a picture of a bruised eye, attributing it to the alleged arrest. However, evidence emerged suggesting the incident didn't occur in Norway, and German police confirmed he was not arrested while trying to enter Germany.
October 2020: Arrest in Spain for Tax Evasion
John McAfee was arrested in Spain in October 2020 at the behest of the US Department of Justice on charges of tax evasion. An unsealed indictment revealed allegations of failing to file tax returns on millions earned between 2014 and 2018.
October 2020: Arrest for Tax Evasion
In October 2020, John McAfee was apprehended in Spain due to charges of tax evasion filed by US authorities.
2020: Libertarian Party Presidential Primaries Involvement
John McAfee participated in the 2020 Libertarian Party presidential primaries with a campaign team that later faced tax evasion charges alongside him.
2020: Second Libertarian Party Presidential Run
John McAfee made his second attempt at the Libertarian Party nomination for president of the United States in 2020.
2020: McAfee Campaigns for Wider Cryptocurrency Use
John McAfee focused his 2020 presidential campaign on promoting wider adoption of cryptocurrencies.
March 2021: Formal Indictment on Tax Evasion Charges
The US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York formally indicted John McAfee and an executive advisor on tax evasion charges in March 2021.
June 2021: Death of John McAfee
John McAfee died in June 2021 in his prison cell near Barcelona, Spain, shortly after a Spanish court authorized his extradition to the US.
June 2021: Extradition Authorization, Death, and Suicide Ruling
The Spanish National Court authorized John McAfee's extradition to the US on June 2021. However, he was found dead in his cell hours later. The official ruling pointed to suicide by hanging, though public skepticism arose due to McAfee's previous claims of potential assassination attempts.
February 2022: Spanish Court Confirms McAfee's Suicide
In February 2022, a Spanish court officially ruled that John McAfee's death in prison was a suicide, putting to rest some of the conspiracy theories surrounding his passing.
2022: "Running With the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee" Documentary Released
The year 2022 saw the release of "Running With the Devil: The Wild World of John McAfee," a documentary that provided further insight into McAfee's life. The film incorporated previously unreleased footage and interviews, offering a multifaceted perspective on his controversial journey.
December 2023: McAfee's Remains Returned to Family
In December 2023, over a year after his death and the conclusion of legal proceedings, John McAfee's body was released from a Barcelona morgue and returned to his family in the United States for a funeral.
March 2024: "Stuffmonger" Account Posts on Bluelight
As of March 2024, the "Stuffmonger" account, purportedly used by McAfee, had over 220 posts on Bluelight, primarily made in 2010 and early 2011. These posts centered around discussions about MDPV, a stimulant drug.