THESE lesser-known facts about Mark Zuckerberg will shock you

Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta (formerly Facebook), is one of the most recognisable names in the tech industry.

Known for transforming social networking into a global phenomenon, Zuckerberg has successfully built an empire that continues to shape how billions of people interact online.

Yet, beyond his high-profile career, there are many fascinating details about his life that remain lesser known.

Here are eight facts about Meta CEO that might surprise you.

Started coding at 12

Zuckerberg’s tech journey began early. At only 12, he developed ZuckNet, a messaging program that allowed his dentist father to communicate with the family from his office.

This early experiment foreshadowed his future as a world-changing innovator.

Youngest billionaire at 24

In 2008, Zuckerberg became the youngest self-made billionaire at only 24, thanks to Facebook’s meteoric rise.

While peers were finishing college or starting careers, he had already reached a milestone most never achieve.

Rejected a $1 billion offer

Yahoo! offered to buy Facebook for $1 billion in 2006, but Zuckerberg declined. 

His decision to hold firm reflected his belief in Facebook’s long-term potential, a bet that clearly paid off.

Speaks Mandarin

Surprisingly, Zuckerberg learned Mandarin and has spoken it at public events, including a Q&A session at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

His effort reflects both personal dedication and an interest in strengthening ties with China.

Colour blindness

Do you know, Facebook’s signature blue design wasn’t just an aesthetic choice.

For those unversed, Zuckerberg is red-green colorblind, making blue the colour he can see most clearly. 

That personal detail ended up defining one of the most iconic brands in tech.

Unusual eating philosophy

In 2011, Zuckerberg declared he would only eat meat from animals he personally killed, part of his “Year of the Goat” challenge.

The move reflected his philosophy of being mindful about food consumption.

The Social Network (2010)

In 2010, Zuckerberg took Facebook employees to see The Social Network, the film dramatising Facebook’s creation. 

He later criticised it for inaccurately portraying his motives.

Controversial wedding ring (2012)

When he married Priscilla Chan in 2012, Zuckerberg gifted her a ruby wedding ring worth about $25,000. 

Many criticised the modest value given his fortune, then estimated at $19 billion.