Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg added a staggering $26.7 billion to his fortune on Thursday, marking one of the biggest single-day wealth increases in tech history. The surge came after Meta Platforms Inc. posted exceptional second-quarter earnings, sending its stock to an all-time high.
Zuckerberg, who owns around 13% of Meta’s shares, now has a net worth of $266.7 billion, according to Forbes’ real-time billionaire tracker. The leap — more than 11% in just 24 hours — places him as the third richest person in the world.
Meta’s Blockbuster Quarter
Meta reported $47.52 billion in revenue for Q2 2025, a 22% increase year-over-year, far exceeding Wall Street expectations. Earnings per share hit $7.14, while daily active users across Meta’s platforms — including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — rose to 3.48 billion.
Speaking to analysts, Zuckerberg credited artificial intelligence as the major driver behind the company’s performance:
“AI allowed us to drive more advertising revenue and deliver better experiences across our platforms,” he said.
Meta’s head of global business, Nicola Mendelsohn, echoed the sentiment in a LinkedIn post, calling AI “the catalyst for greater efficiency and gains across our ads system.”
Meta also raised its Q3 revenue outlook to between $49.5 billion and $50.5 billion, and increased its full-year capital expenditure forecast to $72 billion, signaling heavy investment in AI and metaverse projects.
Smart Glasses a Surprise Hit
In an unexpected turn, Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses — created in partnership with EssilorLuxottica — have sold over 2 million units since launching in October 2023. The AI-powered glasses allow users to take photos, make calls, and interact with Meta AI.
EssilorLuxottica reported a threefold increase in smart glasses sales during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. Building on that momentum, Meta launched a new line in collaboration with Oakley in July.
Zuckerberg’s Growing Tech Empire
Zuckerberg, who launched Facebook in 2004 from his Harvard dorm room, has transformed the platform into a global tech powerhouse that includes Instagram, WhatsApp, and its growing virtual and augmented reality ventures.
In 2021, the company rebranded as Meta to reflect its shift toward building the metaverse — a digital future blending physical and virtual experiences.
Despite his immense wealth, Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have pledged to donate 99% of their Meta shares over their lifetimes.
But for now, thanks to Meta’s historic quarter, Zuckerberg’s fortune continues to grow — underscoring his enduring influence in the global tech landscape.
