My name is Mark Zuckerberg, and I’ve spent much of my life trying to connect people. I was born on May 14, 1984, in White Plains, New York, in a family that valued knowledge and creativity. From a young age, I was always fascinated by how things worked. My dad, a dentist, and my mom, a psychiatrist, encouraged me to follow my curiosity, and technology quickly became my passion. At just 12 years old, I was already creating a program for my dad’s dental office to help patients schedule appointments. Little did I know, that spark of curiosity would evolve into something far beyond my wildest dreams.
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with computers and started programming. I attended Phillips Exeter Academy, where I discovered just how much I loved building things. I continued to nurture my love for technology when I entered Harvard University in 2002. It was there that I began working on a project that would ultimately change my life—and the lives of billions of others.
In my dorm room at Harvard, I started working on what would later become Facebook. At first, Facebook was just a social platform for Harvard students to connect with one another. But as I watched it grow, I realized it had the potential to be something much bigger—a global platform where people could share ideas, stay in touch, and foster real relationships regardless of distance. So, I dropped out of Harvard to dedicate myself to Facebook full-time.
What followed was a journey full of challenges and learning experiences. Facebook quickly expanded to other universities and, within a few short years, to the entire world. With the growth came obstacles: legal disputes, the constant evolution of privacy policies, and the responsibility of leading a global company. But through it all, I remained focused on the bigger picture—how Facebook could bring people together in meaningful ways.
Over the years, Facebook evolved into much more than just a social network. We expanded to include Instagram and WhatsApp, and we began investing in virtual reality with the acquisition of Oculus. In 2021, I rebranded Facebook to Meta, signaling the beginning of a new chapter focused on building the metaverse—the next frontier of human connection.
But no journey is without its hurdles. Throughout my career, I’ve faced criticism—some of it deserved, some of it not. Building something as big as Facebook comes with its own set of challenges, and I’ve learned that leadership means making tough decisions, learning from mistakes, and continuing to move forward. I’ve come to understand the importance of balancing ambition with responsibility, knowing that technology can change lives, but it also comes with the power to shape society in profound ways.
Today, as the CEO of Meta, my mission remains the same: to help people connect. While Facebook has transformed the way we communicate, I believe the metaverse has the potential to take this idea even further, creating a fully immersive digital world where people can connect in new and exciting ways. As I look ahead, I am excited about the possibilities technology holds for the future.
This is just the beginning of a journey that will continue to unfold in ways we can’t even imagine. I’m Mark Zuckerberg, and my goal has always been simple: to create a world where everyone can connect, share, and build something meaningful together.