Pierre Omidyar

$11.85 B

Ranked #249 in World

About Pierre Omidyar

Pierre Omidyar, a French-born Iranian-American billionaire and technology entrepreneur, is widely recognized as the founder of eBay and an influential figure in the world of online journalism. Born in Paris in 1967 to Iranian parents, Omidyar immigrated to the United States with his family and pursued a career in computer science. After co-founding Ink Development, he went on to create Auction Web, which eventually became eBay. Omidyar's net worth is estimated at $8.7 billion, and he remains active in various ventures, including his philanthropic investment firm, Omidyar Network, and his journalism venture, First Look Media.

Born

June 21, 1967 in Paris, France

Age

58 years

Source Of Wealth

EBay, PayPal

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Honolulu, Hawaii

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science, Tufts University

Spouse

Pamela Kerr

Pierre Omidyar, born Parviz Morad Omidyar on June 21, 1967, in Paris, France, is a French-born Iranian-American billionaire, technology entrepreneur, software engineer, and philanthropist. His parents, Iranian immigrants seeking higher education in France, later moved to the United States. Pierre's father, Cyrus Omidyar, is a surgeon. Pierre attended Punahou School in Honolulu, The Potomac School in McLean, Virginia, and graduated from St. Andrew's Episcopal School in Potomac, Maryland. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from the University of California, Berkeley.

Pierre Omidyar: Family

Pierre Omidyar is married to Pamela Omidyar. The couple owns properties in Henderson, Nevada, and Honolulu, Hawaii. They have been actively involved in philanthropy through their foundation, the Omidyar Network.

Pierre Omidyar: Career Highlights

After graduating from Berkeley, Pierre Omidyar worked at Claris, an Apple Computer subsidiary. He co-founded Ink Development, a pen-based computing startup later rebranded as eShop Inc. In 1996, Microsoft acquired eShop for less than $50 million, earning Omidyar $1 million.

Pierre Omidyar: Companies

Pierre Omidyar is best known as the founder of eBay, an online auction platform. He began writing the original computer code for eBay in 1995 and launched it on Labor Day, September 4, 1995, under the name Auction Web. The company's name was changed to eBay in 1997. Omidyar also co-founded Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm, with his wife Pamela in 2004.

Pierre Omidyar: Major Achievements

Pierre Omidyar's major achievements include founding eBay, one of the world's largest online marketplaces. He also played a significant role in the growth and success of PayPal, which was acquired by eBay in 2002 and later spun off in 2015. Omidyar is actively involved in philanthropy through the Omidyar Network, which focuses on areas such as property rights, governance, education, financial inclusion, and consumer internet mobile.

Pierre Omidyar: Awards & Achievements

Pierre Omidyar has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to technology and philanthropy.

In 1999, he was named the EY Entrepreneur of The Year National Winner. He also received an honorary doctorate from Tufts University in 2011.

Pierre Omidyar: Personal Life & Legacy

Pierre Omidyar is a major donor to Democratic Party candidates and organizations. He is a follower of the Dalai Lama and signed The Giving Pledge in 2010, committing to give away most of his wealth during his lifetime. Omidyar has donated approximately $500 million to charitable causes in 2019 alone.

Pierre Omidyar: Trivia

Pierre Omidyar's original choice for the name of eBay was Echo Bay, but it was already registered to a Canadian mining company. The name "eBay" was his second choice.

Wealth History

Timeline

June 21, 1967

Pierre Omidyar is born in Paris, France, to Iranian parents.

1995

Omidyar begins writing the original computer code for an online venue for direct person-to-person auctions.

September 4, 1995

Omidyar launches Auction Web, which eventually becomes eBay, on Labor Day.

1996

Jeffrey Skoll joins eBay.

1997

The company's name is changed from AuctionWeb to eBay.

1998

Meg Whitman becomes president and CEO of eBay. eBay launches a successful public offering, making Omidyar and Skoll billionaires.

2002

eBay acquires PayPal.

2004

Omidyar and his wife Pamela co-found Omidyar Network, a philanthropic investment firm.

2010

Omidyar launches Honolulu Civil Beat, an online investigative reporting news service. Omidyar signs The Giving Pledge, intending to give away most of his wealth during his lifetime.

2013

Omidyar announces the creation of First Look Media, a journalism venture. Partners with HuffPost to launch HuffPost Hawaii.

2014

The Intercept is launched.

2015

eBay spins off PayPal.

2018

Luminate Group is established.

2020

Omidyar steps down from eBay's board but remains active as director emeritus.

2021

Omidyar hosts a series on whistleblowing in February, providing financial support to Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.

Pierre Omidyar : FAQs

What is Pierre Omidyar's current net worth?

Pierre Omidyar's current net worth is $11.85 billion.

What is Pierre Omidyar's current global rank among billionaires?

Pierre Omidyar holds the 249th position globally among billionaires.

What is Pierre Omidyar's current ranking within the United States?

Pierre Omidyar holds the 99th position in United States.

What was the change in Pierre Omidyar's net worth compared to the previous year?

Pierre Omidyar's net worth decreased by 65.2 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 11.91 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Pierre Omidyar's net worth?

Pierre Omidyar's net worth increased by 56.89 million dollars recently, a 0.48% increase, with his net worth standing at 11.85 billion dollars.

What are Pierre Omidyar's main sources of wealth?

Pierre Omidyar's main source of income comes from EBay, PayPal.

In which industry does Pierre Omidyar primarily operate?

Pierre Omidyar is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is Pierre Omidyar educational background?

Pierre Omidyar holds a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Tufts University.

How old is Pierre Omidyar?

Pierre Omidyar is 58 years old.

How many children does Pierre Omidyar have?

Pierre Omidyar has 3 children.

Who is Pierre Omidyar and what is he known for?

Pierre Omidyar is a French-born Iranian-American billionaire, technology entrepreneur, software engineer, and philanthropist, best known as the founder of eBay where he served as chairman from 1998 to 2015. As of 2023, he's ranked as the 245th richest person in the world.

What was the first item sold on eBay and how did the company evolve?

The first item sold on eBay was a broken laser pointer, when the platform was still known as Auction Web. eBay was incorporated shortly after, with a small fee on each sale funding its expansion, and the name was officially changed to eBay in 1997.

How has Pierre Omidyar contributed to journalism and media?

Pierre Omidyar has been actively involved in journalism and media, launching Honolulu Civil Beat in 2010, partnering with HuffPost to launch HuffPost Hawaii in 2013, and announcing the creation of First Look Media which launched The Intercept in 2014.

What are the goals and achievements of the Omidyar Network?

Omidyar Network, established in 2004 by Pierre and Pamela Omidyar, aims to invest in innovative organizations to create opportunities for individuals to improve their lives. It has committed over $992 million to various entities, focusing on areas like property rights, governance, and financial inclusion.