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What is Brian Chesky’s Net Worth?
Brian Chesky, the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, has an estimated net worth of $13 billion. The majority of Chesky’s wealth stems from his significant stake in Airbnb, the company he co-founded in 2008. He owns approximately 78 million shares of Airbnb stock, split between Class A and Class B shares, which account for about $12.6 billion of his net worth.
In addition to his Airbnb holdings, Chesky receives an annual salary of $400,000 as the company’s CEO. While this is a relatively modest sum compared to his overall net worth, it reflects a common practice among tech CEOs who often opt for lower salaries in favor of equity-based compensation.
Chesky’s net worth has seen significant fluctuations since Airbnb’s initial public offering (IPO) in December 2020. The company’s successful debut on the stock market initially valued Chesky’s stake at around $11 billion. However, market conditions and the company’s performance have caused this figure to vary over time.
Chesky has shown a commitment to philanthropy. In 2016, he joined The Giving Pledge, promising to donate the majority of his wealth to charitable causes during his lifetime.
Here’s the breakdown of Brian Chesky’s net worth:
Name: | Brian Chesky |
Net Worth: | $13 Billion |
Date of Birth: | August 29, 1981 |
Profession: | Businessperson |
If you’re curious about how we estimate a celebrity’s net worth, you can check out our methodology here.
Early Life and Education
Brian Chesky was born on August 29, 1981, in Niskayuna, New York, to Deborah and Robert H. Chesky, both of whom were social workers. His father is of Polish descent, and his mother is of Italian origin. Chesky has a younger sister named Allison.
From a young age, Chesky exhibited a keen interest in art and design, often drawing replicas of paintings and redesigning toys and shoes. His fascination with design extended to landscape architecture, inspired by observing friends of his parents redesign their backyard.
Chesky pursued his passion for design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in industrial design. During his time at RISD, he was influenced by notable designers such as Charles and Ray Eames and Walt Disney.
Chesky was also the captain of the RISD hockey team and engaged in competitive bodybuilding in his early twenties. His education at RISD not only honed his design skills but also introduced him to Joe Gebbia, who would later become one of his co-founders at Airbnb.
Career
After graduating from RISD, Brian Chesky moved to Los Angeles to work as an industrial designer. He initially worked at 3DID, Inc., where he gained experience in industrial design and strategy.
However, in October 2007, Chesky relocated to San Francisco to live with his former college classmate Joe Gebbia. Struggling to pay rent, Chesky and Gebbia decided to rent out their apartment to attendees of a design conference, marking the inception of what would become Airbnb.
In 2008, Chesky, Gebbia, and Nathan Blecharczyk officially launched Airbnb, initially called “Airbed and Breakfast.” The concept was simple: provide short-term lodging and breakfast to travelers who couldn’t find hotel accommodations. The trio’s innovative idea quickly gained traction, and in early 2009, they received $20,000 in venture funding from the startup incubator Y Combinator. This initial investment helped them expand their platform and attract more users.
Airbnb’s growth was rapid and transformative. By 2011, the company had announced that guests had booked one million nights in their rentals. Despite facing significant challenges, including skepticism from investors and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chesky’s leadership and vision helped Airbnb navigate these obstacles. The company’s initial public offering (IPO) in December 2020 was a landmark event, with Airbnb’s market cap reaching $100 billion on its first day of trading.
Throughout his career, Chesky has been recognized for his contributions to the tech and hospitality industries. In 2015, he was named one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.”
Personal Life
Brian Chesky is known to enjoy sketching and bonsai as hobbies, reflecting his background in design and his appreciation for creativity.
In December 2022, Chesky made headlines when he listed his home in San Francisco’s Mission District on Airbnb, demonstrating his commitment to the platform he co-founded.
Chesky has mentioned in interviews that he still lives at Airbnb properties most nights to better understand the user’s point of view. This hands-on approach to product development and customer experience has been a hallmark of his leadership style.
Philanthropy
Brian Chesky has shown a strong commitment to philanthropy, particularly in recent years. In 2016, he joined The Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of his wealth during his lifetime.
One of Chesky’s most significant philanthropic contributions came in 2022 when he donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation to launch the Voyager Scholarship program. This initiative aims to support students pursuing careers in public service by providing financial aid, travel experiences, and mentorship opportunities.
During the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, Chesky donated $10 million to nonprofit organizations supporting frontline workers. His philanthropic efforts have earned him recognition, with The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranking him 20th on their list of the 50 most prolific philanthropists in the United States in 2022.
Ashley Roberts is the founder of Real-Time Billionaires List. She founded this platform because she likes to know how much celebrities are actually making. She is always curious why these people can make much more money than the ordinary person.
With a Bachelor’s degree in finance, she is skilled at financial analysis and understands numbers related to wealth. Most of the articles on this site are edited by herself before publishing.