As of August 2025, Forbes Real-Time Billionaires ranks Mark Zuckerberg as the world’s 3rd-richest person with a net worth of $270 billion, driven almost entirely by his Meta Platforms equity. This staggering figure puts him just behind Larry Ellison and Elon Musk, and well ahead of other tech titans like Larry Page and Jensen Huang.
Unlike many billionaires in his cohort, Zuckerberg has made a long-term pledge to give away the vast majority of his wealth, a promise that still defines his legacy.
Where Mark Zuckerberg’s Wealth Comes From
Meta Stock: While Meta’s 2025 Proxy Statement discloses Zuckerberg’s controlling voting power, it does not list an exact share count. Industry filings and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Form 4 disclosures imply he retains roughly 352 million Class A and B shares, about 13.5% of Meta’s 2.6 billion shares outstanding, worth $270 billion at the $783.39 price on August 14, 2025.
Cash & Liquid Assets: Zuckerberg’s personal cash and short-term investments are not detailed in SEC filings or Meta disclosures.
Security & Travel Compensation: Although his base salary remains $1 per year, Meta’s 2025 Proxy reports $14 million in family security and $2.6 million in private-air travel, totaling $27.2 million in compensation.
Real Estate: Zuckerberg’s U.S. residential holdings include multiple Palo Alto, California homes, a Lake Tahoe compound, and a Washington, D.C. mansion, They’re collectively valued at approximately $200 million, per Business Insider’s analysis of public records and property transactions.
2025 Assets Breakdown
Let’s break down Zuckerberg’s estimated $275 billion net worth.
| Asset Type | Estimated Value | % of Net Worth |
| Meta Stock (≈352,000,000 shares @ $783.39) | $275.7B | 99.8% |
| Security & Travel Compensation | $27.2M | <0.01% |
| Real Estate | $0.15B | 0.06% |
All figures are estimates based on SEC filings (Meta Platform’s Proxy Statement, Form 4s), reputable market data (mid-day stock price on August 13, 2025), and public records for real estate. Unvested equity awards, private-company valuations, tax obligations, and transaction costs are excluded. Actual realizable net worth may vary materially.
Timeline of Wealth Creation
2004: Facebook Is Born: While still a sophomore at Harvard, Zuckerberg launches Facebook in his dorm room. Within months, the social platform spreads beyond college campuses.
2012: Facebook Goes Public: Facebook’s initial public offering debuts on the NASDAQ at a $104 billion valuation. Zuckerberg retains control through a dual-class share structure and draws a base salary of $1.
2021: Facebook Becomes Meta: In a strategic shift to reposition the company for the next era of the internet, the parent company changes its name to Meta. The move is met with initial skepticism but sets the stage for long-term investments in augmented and virtual reality.
2023 – 2025: AI + Advertising Rebound: Following a dip in revenue growth during the 2020s, Meta bounces back with significant gains in ad targeting driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI), Threads user growth, and mixed-reality adoption. Its stock surges more than 150% over two years, lifting Zuckerberg’s net worth by over $100 billion.
Philanthropy & The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
In 2015, Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan pledged to give away 99% of their Meta stock over their lifetimes. This commitment, formalized through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), focuses on:
- Personalized learning
- Disease prevention and treatment
- Criminal justice reform
- Community engagement
Public Image & Influence
Zuckerberg remains one of the most polarizing figures in tech. Supporters praise his strategic bets on long-term innovation like the pivot to the metaverse and AI-enhanced content moderation. Critics point to Meta’s ongoing challenges with misinformation, platform safety, and user privacy.
Either way, his influence is undeniable:
- Meta powers over 3 billion daily users, according to Statista.
- Zuckerberg’s decisions influence digital commerce, communication, and advertising globally
- He’s now reasserting himself in AI infrastructure and open-source model development, a space dominated by Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI
Zuckerberg has also undergone a public reinvention: from hoodie-wearing coder to tech statesman, martial arts hobbyist, and increasingly visible public figure.
Final Thoughts
Mark Zuckerberg’s fortune is not just massive, it’s also strategic and mission-driven. While nearly all his wealth is tied to Meta, it also funds one of the most ambitious philanthropic visions in tech. As his company continues evolving, Zuckerberg’s dual role as CEO and global donor will only become more influential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mark Zuckerberg a billionaire?
Yes. He’s currently worth $270 billion, making him the third richest person in the world as of August 2025.
How much Meta stock does Zuckerberg own?
Approximately 13% of Meta Platforms, with a market value of about $275 billion.
Does Mark Zuckerberg still run Meta?
Yes. He continues to serve as CEO and Chairman, holding majority voting control through a dual-class share structure.
Is he really giving away 99% of his wealth?
That’s the long-term pledge made through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. While most of the stock remains under Zuckerberg’s control for now, structured giving has already begun and is expected to accelerate over time.
