Mark Zuckerberg's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Mark Zuckerberg. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

2007: MIT Technology Review's TR35 List

In 2007, Mark Zuckerberg was added to MIT Technology Review's TR35 list as one of the top 35 innovators in the world under the age of 35.

2008: Most Influential People by Time

In 2008, Time named Mark Zuckerberg as one of the most influential people in the world.

2008: Became World's Youngest Self-Made Billionaire

In 2008, at the age of 23, Mark Zuckerberg became the world's youngest self-made billionaire.

2009: Ranked on Vanity Fair 100 List

In 2009, Mark Zuckerberg ranked number 23 on the Vanity Fair 100 list.

July 21, 2010: Facebook Reaches 500 Million Users

On July 21, 2010, Mark Zuckerberg reported that Facebook had reached the 500-million-user mark.

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: Time Person of the Year

In 2010, Mark Zuckerberg was named the Time Person of the Year, coinciding with Facebook reaching over half a billion users.

2010: Named Most Influential by Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair magazine named Zuckerberg number 1 on its 2010 list of the Top 100 "most influential people of the Information Age".

January 16, 2011: Golden Globe Award for Best Picture

On January 16, 2011, upon winning the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture, producer Scott Rudin thanked Facebook and Zuckerberg "for his willingness to allow us to use his life and work as a metaphor through which to tell a story about communication and the way we relate to each other". Sorkin, who won for Best Screenplay, retracted some of the impressions given in his script.

2011: Most Influential People by Time

In 2011, Time named Mark Zuckerberg as one of the most influential people in the world.

May 2012: Facebook Goes Public

In May 2012, Mark Zuckerberg took Facebook public with majority shares.

June 2016: Named Business Visionary by Business Insider

In June 2016, Business Insider named Mark Zuckerberg one of the "Top 10 Business Visionaries Creating Value for the World", due to his pledge with his wife to give away 99% of their wealth.

December 2016: Ranked Tenth on Forbes' List

In December 2016, Mark Zuckerberg was ranked tenth on the Forbes list of the World's Most Powerful People.

2016: Most Influential People by Time

In 2016, Time named Mark Zuckerberg as one of the most influential people in the world.

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.