Evan Spiegel is a name synonymous with the tech industry. As of March 2023, he boasts a personal net worth of $2.7 billion, according to Forbes. His journey from a young, aspiring entrepreneur to the co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc. is nothing short of inspirational.

Evan Spiegel: Early Life and Education

Evan Spiegel’s story begins in Los Angeles, California, where he was born to lawyers John W. Spiegel and Melissa Ann Thomas in 1990. Growing up in the serene environment of Pacific Palisades, California, he received his early education as an Episcopalian at the Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences in Santa Monica before embarking on his academic journey at Stanford University.

During his high school years, Spiegel displayed a knack for design and a drive for learning. He took design classes at the Otis College of Art and Design, and even before setting foot at Stanford, he honed his skills at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. An unpaid internship at Red Bull provided him with valuable insights into the corporate world.

While at Stanford, he didn’t limit his experiences to the classroom. He served as a paid intern for a biomedical company, explored career opportunities in Cape Town, South Africa, and contributed to the TxtWeb project at Intuit. It was during these formative years that Spiegel’s potential as a visionary entrepreneur began to shine. The fraternities of Stanford welcomed him, and he joined the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

The Birth of Snapchat

Evan Spiegel’s entrepreneurial spirit truly flourished in April 2011 when he proposed a revolutionary idea for an app with ephemeral messaging. This project initially started as a product design class assignment. Working closely with his Stanford peers, Bobby Murphy and Reggie Brown, they introduced the world to “Picaboo,” which was later rebranded as “Snapchat.”

Snapchat’s innovative concept struck a chord with users, and its popularity skyrocketed. In 2012, Spiegel made the bold decision to leave Stanford and focus on Snapchat full-time, just shy of completing his degree. By the end of that year, Snapchat had amassed a remarkable 1 million daily active users, solidifying Spiegel’s position as a tech visionary. He later returned to Stanford to complete his remaining credits, eventually graduating in 2018.

A Philanthropic Vision

Evan Spiegel is not just about building digital empires; he’s also committed to giving back. In 2017, he, along with Bobby Murphy, pledged to donate over 13,000,000 shares of Class A common stock to establish the Snap Foundation. This non-profit organization aims to support arts, education, and underrepresented youth in Los Angeles. Their commitment to philanthropy was further underscored by a $3 million donation to aid those affected by COVID-19.

Evan Spiegel’s journey has had its share of challenges, including controversies from his time at Stanford. In 2014, leaked emails revealed inappropriate comments and behavior. Spiegel took responsibility for his past actions, issuing a statement expressing remorse and stating that those emails in no way reflect his views or character today.

Personal Life and Achievements

Beyond his professional life, Evan Spiegel’s personal life has been equally eventful. In 2015, he started dating Australian model Miranda Kerr. Their relationship quickly blossomed, leading to an engagement in 2016 and a private wedding ceremony in Los Angeles in 2017. The couple welcomed their first child in 2018 and a second son in 2019. Spiegel is also the stepfather of Flynn Christopher Blanchard Bloom, Kerr’s child from her first marriage to Orlando Bloom.

As of 2021, Spiegel ranked 55th on the Forbes 400 list with a wealth of $13.8 billion. At just 26 years of age, he became one of the youngest public company CEOs when Snap Inc. began trading in 2017.

A Multifaceted Visionary

Evan Spiegel is not merely a tech entrepreneur. His diverse interests extend to French culture, and he, along with his son Hart, received French citizenship in 2018. He also joined the board of directors for Gagosian Gallery in November 2022.

A Legacy of Giving

In the spirit of giving back, Evan Spiegel donated $20 million to Stockton Scholars, a scholarship program in Stockton, California, in 2022. During the commencement ceremony at the Otis College of Art and Design, Spiegel and Miranda Kerr made a remarkable announcement to pay off the student debt of the entire 2022 graduating class.

Evan Spiegel’s journey is a testament to the power of innovation, entrepreneurship, and the desire to make a positive impact on the world. Zatrun.com has meticulously examined his remarkable life, from its early stages to its philanthropic contributions and digital achievements.