Mark Zuckerberg’s departure from Harvard University in 2004 is a defining moment in technology history, but those close to him reportedly saw it coming. During a 2013 discussion at Y Combinator's Startup School, Zuckerberg recounted his initial days at Harvard and the dramatic reaction to his creation of Facemash, a website that allowed students to rate photos of their peers.
Facemash had a disruptive impact on Harvard’s network, drawing swift attention from the university authorities and bringing Zuckerberg close to expulsion. "My friends really thought that they were going to kick me out," Zuckerberg said, describing how his social circle anticipated his removal from campus. This expectation even led to his friends throwing a farewell party before any official decisions were made.
Ironically, that same party turned out to be life-altering beyond the immediate academic drama. It was at this event that Zuckerberg met Priscilla Chan, who would become his wife.
Zuckerberg’s family matched the sentiment of his friends. He shared that his younger sister once bet she would graduate college before he did—a wager she eventually won. Furthermore, his mother confided in him that she had always suspected he would not complete college. He recalled his reaction to her insight with humor: "Oh thanks, Mom." This familial foresight contextualizes his eventual departure not as a failure but as a foreseeable chapter in his story.
Facemash itself was short-lived, but the backlash it generated appeared to ignite Zuckerberg’s ambition to launch something more enduring. He soon transitioned from this initial concept to develop Facebook, a platform initially designed as a digital directory for Harvard students to connect visually and socially. Inspired by the printed "face books" distributed in dormitories, this online iteration rapidly gained popularity.
Facebook quickly expanded beyond Harvard, embracing other universities and ultimately extending to the general public. As interest and user engagement soared, Zuckerberg made the decision to leave Harvard to focus entirely on Facebook’s growth and development.
Notably, Zuckerberg’s relationship with Harvard did not end with his withdrawal as a student. In 2011, he returned to campus, this time as a prominent CEO recruiting new talent, where he was received enthusiastically by students both at Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Later, in 2017, Zuckerberg delivered Harvard's commencement address, addressing his own incomplete degree with a lighthearted tone: "I'm honored to be with you today because, let's face it, you accomplished something I never could," he said, adding that successfully concluding his speech might represent the first time he finished anything at Harvard.
Zuckerberg’s experience is part of a wider trend among prominent technology leaders who left their university programs to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. Figures like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Ellison, and Michael Dell also departed from college settings before becoming influential business magnates.
Currently, Zuckerberg’s net worth is estimated at $233 billion, placing him fourth on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. However, despite securing a powerful position in the tech industry and leading Meta Platforms Inc., the company’s stock carries a medium to long-term bearish outlook according to Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings, although short-term price trends remain positive.