Priscilla Chan

Priscilla Chan, 2018 (cropped)

Priscilla Chan is an American philanthropist and pediatrician who is best known for her marriage to Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Facebook, now known as Meta Platforms. Born on February 24, 1985, in Braintree, Massachusetts, Chan is of Chinese-Vietnamese descent and grew up in a family that emphasized the importance of education and hard work.

Early Life and Education

Chan attended Quincy High School, where she was a state-level tennis player. After graduating as class valedictorian, she went on to attend Harvard University, where she met Zuckerberg in 2003. At Harvard, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in biology and also studied Spanish. Her interest in science and health led her to pursue a career in medicine. After completing her undergraduate degree, Chan worked as a science teacher for a year before enrolling at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she earned her medical degree.

Career

Following her graduation from UCSF, Chan completed her pediatric residency at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. As a pediatrician, Chan has focused on the health and well-being of children, particularly those from underserved communities. Her medical career has been characterized by a commitment to public health and education.

Philanthropy

Chan's philanthropic efforts, often in partnership with her husband, have been significant and wide-ranging. In 2015, the couple pledged to donate 99 percent of their Facebook shares, valued at the time at about $45 billion, to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). The CZI is a philanthropic organization that aims to leverage technology, community-driven solutions, and collaboration to address societal challenges in areas such as education, justice & opportunity, and science.

One of the key projects under CZI is the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, a collaborative research center that brings together engineers, computer scientists, biologists, chemists, and others to develop technologies aimed at understanding and treating diseases. Additionally, Chan has been involved in launching The Primary School in East Palo Alto, which integrates education, healthcare, and family support services to better serve children and their families.

Personal Life

Chan married Mark Zuckerberg on May 19, 2012, the day after Facebook's stock market launch. The couple has two daughters. Chan is known for her low-profile lifestyle and her focus on her family and philanthropic work. Despite her and her husband's significant wealth, Chan has emphasized the importance of humility, hard work, and the impact of giving back to the community.

Legacy and Impact

Priscilla Chan's work, both as a pediatrician and as a philanthropist, has had a significant impact on the fields of education, healthcare, and science. Through her philanthropic initiatives, she has aimed to create a more equitable society by addressing systemic barriers to health and education. Chan's personal story of success, grounded in hard work and a commitment to helping others, serves as an inspiration to many.