Peter Thiel

Early Life

Peter Andreas Thiel was born in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 11, 1967. When he was one year old, his family emigrated to the United States. Thiel's father's career as a chemical engineer led to frequent moves. He became an excellent chess player and achieved the rank of master. He attended Stanford University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy in 1989 and a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School in 1992.

Rise to Success

Thiel's entrepreneurial journey began with PayPal, which he co-founded in 1998. He served as the CEO until its sale to eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion. Thiel's 3.7% stake in PayPal at the time of the acquisition was worth $55 million. He then co-founded Palantir Technologies in 2003. Palantir went public on September 30, 2020. Thiel also became the first outside investor in Facebook. He sold most of his Facebook shares in 2012 for over $1 billion.

Key Business Strategies

Thiel is known for his contrarian investment approach and his focus on technological innovation. He co-founded Founders Fund, a venture capital firm that invests in various technology companies. Thiel has also been involved in several controversies related to his political views and investments.

Philanthropy

Thiel is involved in philanthropy through the Thiel Foundation, which supports innovative research and provides fellowships for young entrepreneurs. He has funded projects in areas like artificial intelligence and life extension.