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 spearheaded the creation of the social media giant Facebook, which has become a globally dominant platform. Zuckerberg's career has also been marked by legal challenges concerning the origins and ownership of Facebook and controversies surrounding user privacy on the platform.

Sections (7)

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

May 14, 1984: Mark Zuckerberg's Birth

On May 14, 1984, Mark Elliot Zuckerberg was born. He later co-founded Facebook and Meta Platforms and became chairman, CEO, and controlling shareholder.

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1984: Publication of "Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution"

In 1984, Steven Levy wrote the book "Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution". In 2010 he described Zuckerberg as a hacker.

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2002: Zuckerberg begins classes at Harvard

By 2002, when Zuckerberg began classes at Harvard, he had a reputation as a programming prodigy. He created CourseMatch, and later Facemash.

2002: Voter Registration in New York

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

2002: Inspiration from Phillips Exeter Academy

In 2002, Zuckerberg graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy, where "The Photo Address Book" student directory served as an inspiration for Facebook.

2003: Meeting Priscilla Chan

In 2003, Mark Zuckerberg met Priscilla Chan at a frat party during his sophomore year at Harvard.

February 2004: Launch of i2hub

A month after Mark Zuckerberg launched Facebook in February 2004, Wayne Chang launched i2hub, another campus-only service focused on peer-to-peer file sharing.

February 2004: Facebook Launch at Harvard

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

2004: Move to Palo Alto and Meeting Peter Thiel

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

November 2008: First Ballot Cast

In November 2008, Mark Zuckerberg cast his first ballot since registering to vote.

September 2010: Priscilla Chan Moves In

In September 2010, Priscilla Chan moved into Mark Zuckerberg's rented house in Palo Alto, California.

September 2010: $100 million donation to Newark Public Schools

In September 2010, it was reported that Zuckerberg had donated $100 million to Newark Public Schools, the public school system of Newark, New Jersey, through the Startup:Education foundation.

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

On October 1, 2010, the movie "The Social Network", based on Zuckerberg and the founding years of Facebook, was released, starring Jesse Eisenberg as Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg expressed his wish that the movie had not been made while he was still alive.

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October 3, 2010: Voiced self on "The Simpsons"

On October 3, 2010, Zuckerberg voiced himself on an episode of "The Simpsons" titled "Loan-a Lisa". In the episode, Lisa Simpson and her friend Nelson encounter Zuckerberg at an entrepreneurs' convention.

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October 9, 2010: "Saturday Night Live" lampooned Zuckerberg and Facebook

On October 9, 2010, "Saturday Night Live" lampooned Zuckerberg and Facebook. Andy Samberg portrayed the role of Zuckerberg.

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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: Signing The Giving Pledge

In 2010, Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and investor Warren Buffett signed The Giving Pledge, committing to donate at least half of their wealth to charity over time.

2010: Release of "The Social Network"

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

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January 2011: Surprise guest appearance on Saturday Night Live

In January 2011, Zuckerberg made a surprise guest appearance on Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by Jesse Eisenberg. They both said it was the first time they had met. Eisenberg asked Zuckerberg, who had been critical of his portrayal by the film, what he thought of the movie. Zuckerberg replied, "It was interesting."

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2011: First Participation in San Francisco Pride Celebration

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

May 19, 2012: Marriage to Priscilla Chan

On May 19, 2012, Mark Zuckerberg married Priscilla Chan in the grounds of his mansion, coinciding with her graduation from medical school.

December 2012: Commitment to donate the majority of wealth

In December 2012, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan said that over the course of their lives they would give the majority of their wealth to "advancing human potential and promoting equality" in the spirit of The Giving Pledge.

2012: Voting in General Elections

In 2012, it was recorded that Zuckerberg voted in at least two of the past three general elections including 2008 and 2012.

February 2013: Fundraising Event for Chris Christie

In February 2013, Mark Zuckerberg hosted his first fundraising event for then New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, focusing on education reform.

June 2013: Participation in San Francisco Pride Celebration

In June 2013, Mark Zuckerberg joined Facebook employees in a company float as part of the annual San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Celebration. This year's celebration was especially significant as it followed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional.

December 2013: Donation of Facebook shares to Silicon Valley Community Foundation

In December 2013, Zuckerberg announced a donation of 18 million Facebook shares to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, totaling $990 million in value, and was recognized as the largest charitable gift on public record for that year.

2013: Appearance in "Terms and Conditions May Apply"

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

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October 2014: $25 million donation to combat Ebola

In October 2014, Zuckerberg and his wife donated $25 million to combat the Ebola virus disease, specifically the West African Ebola virus epidemic.

2014: Land purchase in Kauaʻi

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

February 2015: Endowment of San Francisco General Hospital

In February 2015, Zuckerberg and his wife endowed the foundation of the San Francisco General Hospital with $75 million, which was the biggest individual donation to a U.S. public hospital. The hospital was renamed The Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center.

July 2015: Pregnancy Announcement

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

November 2015: Paris Attacks

In November 2015, the Paris attacks happened, to which Mark Zuckerberg later responded with a statement of support for Muslims.

December 1, 2015: Pledge to transfer 99% of Facebook shares to CZI

On December 1, 2015, Zuckerberg and his wife pledged to transfer 99% of their Facebook shares, then valued at $45 billion, to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) over the course of their lives.

December 9, 2015: Statement Supporting Muslims

On December 9, 2015, Mark Zuckerberg posted a statement on his Facebook wall expressing support for 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: Birth of First Daughter

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

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2015: Shooting at Mother Emanuel

In 2015, there was a shooting that took place at Mother Emanuel, which Mark Zuckerberg visited on his tour in 2017.

2016: Belief in Religion

In 2016, Mark Zuckerberg stated that he believes religion is very important after a period of questioning.

May 25, 2017: Honorary Degree from Harvard

On May 25, 2017, Mark Zuckerberg received an honorary degree from Harvard after giving a commencement speech at the university's 366th commencement day.

August 2017: Birth of Second Daughter

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

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2017: Nationwide Tour

In 2017, Mark Zuckerberg and his wife began a nationwide tour to visit every state and learn more about the people using the social network.

2022: Training in MMA and BJJ

In 2022, Mark Zuckerberg took up training in both mixed martial arts (MMA) and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ).

March 2023: Birth of Third Daughter

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

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May 6, 2023: BJJ Tournament Wins

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

July 2023: Promotion to Blue Belt

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

September 2024: Mention in Trump's book

In September 2024, Donald Trump's book *Save America* mentioned Zuckerberg's visits to the White House, with Trump warning against any illegal activities in the upcoming election.