Priscilla Chan Biography 2026: Doctor, Billionaire, and Powerhouse Philanthropist
Priscilla Chan is an American pediatrician, philanthropist, and co-founder of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), based in Palo Alto, California. As of 2025, she remains deeply involved in global health, education reform, and scientific research, leveraging her medical background and her position alongside her husband, Meta CEO mark zuckerberg, to drive social-impact innovation.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Priscilla Chan |
| Profession | Physician (Pediatrician), Philanthropist, Educator |
| Birth Date | February 24, 1985 |
| Age (2025) | ~40 years |
| Birth Place | Braintree, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Known For | Chan Zuckerberg Initiative; philanthropy in health and education |
| Ethnicity | Chinese-Vietnamese descent |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces (Feb 24) |
| Height & Weight | ~1.65 m |
| Hair Color | Black / Dark Brown (public-facing) |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Qualification | B.A. in Biology (Harvard), M.D. (University of California, San Francisco) |
| Religion | Not publicly detailed |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Mark Zuckerberg (m. 2012) |
| Children | Three daughters: Maxima, August, Aurelia |
| Family Tree | Parents: Chinese-Vietnamese immigrants; two sisters |
| Hobbies | Education reform, science, philanthropy, mentoring |
| Current Work | Co-CEO, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative; education and health philanthropy |
| Years Active | ~2007 (after college) – Present |
| Net Worth (2025) | Est. US$ 30 billion |
Early Life & Education
Priscilla Chan was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, to Chinese-Vietnamese immigrant parents.
She grew up in Quincy, Massachusetts, speaking Cantonese, and often helped her grandparents by interpreting for them as a child.
At Quincy High School, she was academically outstanding—voted “Class Genius”—and participated in robotics through FIRST.
She went on to attend Harvard University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 2007.
After teaching science for a year in California, she enrolled in medical school at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where she completed her M.D. in 2012 and later finished her pediatric residency around 2015.
Career Journey
From Medicine to Philanthropy
After finishing her pediatric residency, Priscilla Chan worked at San Francisco General Hospital as a pediatrician.
But her ambitions extended beyond just clinical work: in 2015, she and Mark Zuckerberg co-founded the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), pledging 99% of their Facebook shares to support science, education, and justice-causes.
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI)
Under her leadership, CZI has funded a broad portfolio of projects: disease research, personalized learning, public health, and more. She has emphasized data-driven philanthropy and collaboration, aiming to combine science and social good.
Education Projects
Chan also co-founded The Primary School, a private school with strong community-focus, combining health and education for underserved children.
However, in 2025, the school announced it would be shutting down after the 2025–2026 school year.
Personal Life
Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg met in 2003 while both were undergraduates at Harvard.
They were married on May 19, 2012, just after she finished medical school.
They have three daughters:
- Maxima, born December 2015
- August, born August 2017
- Aurelia, born March 2023
The couple is deeply committed to philanthropy. Through CZI, they aim to “advance human potential and promote equality.”
Awards & Achievements
- Named among “50 Most Generous Philanthropists” by the Chronicle of Philanthropy
- Co-founded CZI, one of the most ambitious philanthropic organizations in tech
- Led initiatives that have granted billions toward education, scientific research, and health equity
Physical Statistics
| Height | ~1.65 m (5′5″) |
| Weight | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair | Dark Brown / Black |
| Eyes | Brown |
Quotes
- “If you’re the first generation to go to college…sometimes you don’t realize your potential until others point it out.”
- “We want to use science as a tool for justice, to make health and education opportunities available to everyone.” (on CZI vision)
Controversies
- In 2025, The Washington Post reported that The Primary School (founded by Chan and Zuckerberg) would shutter after 2025–2026 due to shifting priorities at CZI.
- In 2025, criticism surfaced over a sculpture of Priscilla Chan commissioned by Zuckerberg — a seven-foot statue — prompting debate about wealth and expression.
Favorites
- Field of Passion: Medicine and child health
- Philanthropic Focus: Education reform, scientific research, social equity
- Personal Philosophy: Believes in combining empirical science with social good
Salary & Net Worth
As of 2025, her net worth is estimated at US$ 30 billion, largely derived from the value of her share in CZI and her long-term philanthropic assets.
While she stepped back from full-time pediatric work, she continues to lead in philanthropy rather than traditional CEO salary structures.
Interesting Facts
- Chan was the first in her family to attend college.
- Her parents were refugees from Vietnam; she grew up interpreting for her grandparents.
- She has balanced her medical training, family life, and philanthropy—all while maintaining a relatively private profile.
- Chan and Zuckerberg pledged to transfer 99% of their Facebook shares to CZI, a bold philanthropic commitment.
Social Media Links
- LinkedIn: (not publicly active)
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI): czif.org
- Meta / Public Appearances: Frequently featured on CZI or Facebook news, rather than personal public social media.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Who is Priscilla Chan married to?
A1: She is married to Mark Zuckerberg, co-founder and CEO of Meta Platforms.
Q2: What is the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative?
A2: CZI is a philanthropic organization founded by Chan and Zuckerberg that focuses on science, education, health, and justice.
Q3: Does Priscilla Chan still practice medicine?
A3: As of recent years, she stepped back from full-time clinical work to focus on philanthropy, but she trained as a pediatrician and completed her residency.
Q4: How many children does she have?
A4: Chan has three daughters: Maxima, August, and Aurelia.
Q5: What is Priscilla Chan’s net worth?
A5: Her estimated net worth is about US$ 30 billion, largely through her stake in the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Q6: Why is The Primary School closing?
A6: According to media reports, the Primary School is shutting down after the 2025–2026 school year due to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative shifting its funding priorities.
Conclusion
Priscilla Chan is far more than “the wife of a tech billionaire.” Her journey from first-generation American child of immigrants to Harvard, to physician and major philanthropist, reflects a deep commitment to public good. Through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, she channels her medical expertise and passion for equity into projects that could shape the future of health and education globally. If you enjoyed this profile, feel free to share it to help others understand her impact.
Sources
- TheStreet: Who is Priscilla Chan (The Street)
- TheFamousPeople: Priscilla Chan profile (The Famous People)
- Washington Post: Report on school closure (The Washington Post)
- People / Guardian / Public news on the statue (people.com)
