Childhood and Education Journey of Mark Zuckerberg in Timeline

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

Mark Zuckerberg is an American businessman best known as the co-founder, chairman, CEO, and controlling shareholder of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). He launched Facebook, a prominent social media service, and has since overseen its growth and evolution. Zuckerberg's career has been marked by both significant success and controversies, including lawsuits related to the platform's creation and concerns surrounding user privacy. He remains a central figure in the tech industry and a subject of public and critical attention.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

May 14, 1984: Mark Zuckerberg Born

On May 14, 1984, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg was born. He is an American businessman and co-founder of Facebook and Meta Platforms.

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2002: Started Harvard Classes

By the time Zuckerberg began classes at Harvard in 2002, he had already achieved a "reputation as a programming prodigy".

2002: Graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy

In 2002, Zuckerberg graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy. The school published its own student directory, "The Photo Address Book", which students referred to as "The Facebook".

2002: Zuckerberg registered to vote in Westchester County, New York

In 2002, Zuckerberg registered to vote in Westchester County, New York, where he grew up.

2003: Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan began dating

Zuckerberg met fellow Harvard student Priscilla Chan at a frat party and began dating in 2003.

February 2004: Launch of i2hub

A month after Zuckerberg launched Facebook in February 2004, i2hub, another campus-only service, created by Wayne Chang and focusing on peer-to-peer file sharing, was launched.

February 2004: Facebook Launched

In February 2004, Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook with his roommates at Harvard College: Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes.

2004: Moved to Palo Alto

In 2004, Zuckerberg dropped out of Harvard and moved to Palo Alto, California with his co-founders and met Peter Thiel, who invested in his company.

November 2008: Zuckerberg cast his first ballot in November 2008

In November 2008, Zuckerberg cast his first ballot after registering to vote in 2002.

September 2010: Priscilla Chan moved into Zuckerberg's house

In September 2010, Chan, who was a medical student at the University of California, San Francisco at the time, moved into his rented house in Palo Alto, California.

October 1, 2010: Release of "The Social Network"

On October 1, 2010, the movie "The Social Network", based on Zuckerberg and the founding of Facebook, was released, starring Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg.

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October 3, 2010: Voice appearance on The Simpsons

On October 3, 2010, Zuckerberg voiced himself on an episode of The Simpsons titled "Loan-a Lisa", where he tells Lisa Simpson that she does not need to graduate from college to be wildly successful, referencing Bill Gates and Richard Branson.

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October 9, 2010: Saturday Night Live lampoons Zuckerberg

On October 9, 2010, Saturday Night Live lampooned Zuckerberg and Facebook. Andy Samberg portrayed the role of Zuckerberg, and Zuckerberg was reported to have been amused.

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October 30, 2010: Awarded a "Medal of Fear" by Stephen Colbert

On October 30, 2010, Stephen Colbert awarded a "Medal of Fear" to Zuckerberg at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear because "he values his privacy much more than he values yours".

2010: The Social Network Released

In 2010, The Social Network, a film depicting Zuckerberg's early career, legal troubles, and success with Facebook, was released and won multiple Academy Awards.

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January 2011: Guest appearance on Saturday Night Live

In January 2011, Zuckerberg made a surprise guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, hosted by Jesse Eisenberg. It was the first time they met and Zuckerberg said the movie "The Social Network" was interesting.

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January 16, 2011: "The Social Network" wins Golden Globe Award

On January 16, 2011, upon winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture, producer Scott Rudin thanked Facebook and Zuckerberg for allowing them to use his life and work as a metaphor, and Aaron Sorkin, who won for Best Screenplay, retracted some of the impressions given in his script.

2011: Facebook first participated in the San Francisco Pride Celebration with 70 employees

In 2011, Facebook first participated in the annual San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Celebration with 70 employees.

May 19, 2012: Zuckerberg married Priscilla Chan

On May 19, 2012, Zuckerberg married Priscilla Chan in the grounds of his mansion in an event that also celebrated her graduation from medical school.

2012: Zuckerberg voted in the 2012 general election

In 2012, Zuckerberg voted in at least two of the past three general elections, including the one held in 2012.

June 2013: Zuckerberg joined Facebook employees in San Francisco Pride Celebration

In June 2013, Zuckerberg joined Facebook employees in a company float as part of the annual San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Celebration, marking an increase in participation from 70 employees in 2011 to 700 in 2013.

2013: Appearance in documentary film

In 2013, Zuckerberg appeared in the climax of the documentary film "Terms and Conditions May Apply".

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2014: Land purchase in Kauaʻi

In 2014, Zuckerberg purchased 700 acres of land on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi.

July 2015: Zuckerberg announced that he and Chan were expecting a baby girl

In July 2015, Zuckerberg revealed that he and Chan were expecting a baby girl and that Chan had previously experienced three miscarriages.

November 2015: Paris attacks

The November 2015 Paris attacks were mentioned in Zuckerberg's statement on December 9, 2015, in response to the attacks and the 2015 San Bernardino attack.

December 9, 2015: Zuckerberg posted statement supporting Muslims on Facebook

On December 9, 2015, Zuckerberg posted a statement on his Facebook wall supporting Muslims in response to the aftermath of the November 2015 Paris attacks and the 2015 San Bernardino attack, emphasizing that Muslims are "always welcome" on Facebook.

December 2015: Zuckerberg's first daughter was born

In December 2015, Zuckerberg's and Chan's first daughter was born.

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2015: Zuckerberg spoke at Mother Emanuel

In 2017, Zuckerberg spoke at Mother Emanuel, where a shooting took place in 2015.

2016: Zuckerberg said that he believes religion is very important

In 2016, Zuckerberg said that he believes religion is very important, after having previously identified as an atheist.

May 25, 2017: Received Honorary Degree from Harvard

On May 25, 2017, Zuckerberg received an honorary degree from Harvard after giving a commencement speech.

August 2017: Zuckerberg's second daughter was born

In August 2017, Zuckerberg's and Chan's second daughter was born.

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2017: Zuckerberg and Chan began a nationwide tour

In 2017, Zuckerberg and his wife began a nationwide tour "to visit every state in the union and learn more about a sliver of the nearly two billion people who regularly use the social network".

2022: Zuckerberg Starts MMA and BJJ Training

In 2022, Mark Zuckerberg began training in mixed martial arts (MMA) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), openly expressing his enthusiasm for these sports.

March 2023: Zuckerberg and Chan welcomed their third daughter

In March 2023, Zuckerberg and Chan welcomed their third daughter and announced the news across his social media pages.

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May 6, 2023: Zuckerberg Wins Medals in BJJ Tournament

On May 6, 2023, Mark Zuckerberg competed in a BJJ tournament and secured both a silver and a gold medal while competing at the white belt level in both gi and no gi.

July 2023: Zuckerberg Promoted to Blue Belt in BJJ

In July 2023, Dave Camarillo promoted Mark Zuckerberg to blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

2024: Zuckerberg commissioned sculpture of Priscilla Chan

In 2024, Zuckerberg commissioned visual artist Daniel Arsham to build a 7-foot-tall sculpture of his wife, Priscilla Chan, which was unveiled this year.