Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO and co-founder of Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has become the world’s richest person after a surge in Meta stock. With a 22% increase in the company’s stock, Zuckerberg’s net worth has reached $165 billion, surpassing Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. This significant jump in wealth is a result of Meta’s impressive quarter, which has left Zuckerberg with a $28 billion paper windfall.
Zuckerberg’s fortune is closely tied to the performance of Meta stock, and this recent surge marks a remarkable change of fortune for him. Earlier in 2021, his net worth reached around $142 billion as the Nasdaq hit a new high. However, a market-wide correction affected Meta more severely than other companies, leading to criticism from investors and analysts. The company had invested billions of dollars into its virtual reality division, Reality Labs, which drew scrutiny.
In response to the criticism, Zuckerberg implemented deep cuts across the company, referring to it as Meta’s “year of efficiency.” This move was followed by other tech CEOs throughout 2022, 2023, and 2024. Despite these efforts, Meta shares hit their lowest point in October and November 2022, trading at around $90 per share, and Zuckerberg’s net worth dropped to $36 billion—only a quarter of his all-time high.
However, Meta’s fourth-quarter earnings report brought positive news. The company exceeded expectations in both top and bottom lines, demonstrating growth in all key metrics tracked by the market. Compared to the previous year’s quarter, Meta’s net income more than tripled. As a result, the company’s valuation now stands at an impressive $1.2 trillion.
Looking ahead, Zuckerberg is set to receive approximately $174 million in cash when Meta pays out its first-ever dividend in March. With his ownership of around 350 million Class A and B shares, he stands to earn over $690 million annually if Meta maintains its 50 cent quarterly dividend.
This recent surge in Meta stock and Zuckerberg’s newfound status as the world’s richest person highlight the company’s resilience and ability to bounce back from a challenging period. With Meta’s continued focus on innovation and efficiency, it remains to be seen how the company will shape the future of technology and further impact Zuckerberg’s wealth.
