Childhood and Education Journey of Sheryl Sandberg in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 10, 2025

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Sheryl Sandberg. A timeline of key moments.

Sheryl Sandberg is an American technology executive, philanthropist, and author notable for her role as the former COO of Meta Platforms (Facebook). She is also the founder of LeanIn.Org, an organization focused on empowering women. Sandberg joined Facebook in 2008 as COO and is credited with scaling Facebook's advertising business and driving its profitability. She also became the first woman to serve on Facebook's board. Before Facebook, Sandberg held executive positions at Google, including VP of Global Online Sales and Operations, and was involved with Google.org. Earlier in her career, she worked as a research assistant at the World Bank and as Chief of Staff to Lawrence Summers when he was the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

August 28, 1969: Sheryl Sandberg Born

On August 28, 1969, Sheryl Kara Sandberg was born in the United States. She later became a technology executive, philanthropist, and writer.

1969: Born in Washington, D.C.

In 1969, Sheryl Sandberg was born in Washington, D.C., into a Jewish family, the eldest of three children.

1987: Enrolled at Harvard College

In 1987, Sheryl Sandberg enrolled at Harvard College.

1987: Graduated High School

In 1987, Sheryl Sandberg graduated from North Miami Beach High School, ranked ninth in her class.

1991: Graduated from Harvard College

In 1991, Sheryl Sandberg graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Harvard College. She also won an award for being the top economics student and co-founded Women in Economics and Government.

1993: Enrolled at Harvard Business School

In 1993, Sheryl Sandberg enrolled at Harvard Business School.

1995: Earned MBA from Harvard Business School

In 1995, Sheryl Sandberg earned her MBA from Harvard Business School, graduating with the highest distinction and earning a fellowship in her first year.

2007: Met Mark Zuckerberg

In late 2007, Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and chief executive of Facebook, met Sheryl Sandberg at a Christmas party held by Dan Rosensweig.

April 2014: Sold Over Half of Shares in Facebook

In April 2014, it was reported that Sheryl Sandberg had sold over half of her shares in Facebook since the company went public, leaving her with around 17.2 million shares, amounting to a stake of 0.5% in the company.

2016: Delivered Commencement Address at UC Berkeley

In 2016, Sheryl Sandberg delivered the Commencement Address at the University of California, Berkeley graduation ceremony, and spoke publicly about her husband's death for the first time.

2016: Support for Hillary Clinton

In 2016, Sheryl Sandberg supported Hillary Clinton in the presidential election.

February 3, 2020: Engagement Announcement

On February 3, 2020, Sheryl Sandberg announced her engagement to Tom Bernthal on Facebook.

2020: Declined to Endorse Elizabeth Warren

Throughout the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, Sandberg declined to endorse Elizabeth Warren, though she stated she would support a Democratic nominee over Donald Trump.