Key Takeaways
- Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta (Facebook’s parent company), owns roughly 13.5% of Meta stock, making him the largest shareholder.
- Zuckerberg has more than 50% of the company’s voting power due to Meta’s dual-class stock structure.
- Meta owns Facebook as well as other companies like Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp, and Meta Quest (Oculus).
Introduction
There’s no denying it – Facebook has taken the world by storm, stretching to every corner of the globe. Nearly everyone has heard of Facebook.
About 75% of active internet users worldwide log into Facebook every single month. That’s nearly 3 out of every 4 people online.
And literally half the world has a Facebook account. A single platform uniting billions of people across nations, cultures, and creeds. It’s a phenomenon of unprecedented magnitude.
But who owns this massive social media platform?
Facebook has a clear owner: Mark Zuckerberg.
As the co-founder, Zuckerberg owns a significant portion of Facebook shares – around 13.5%.
What Does This Actually Look Like?
| Shares Mark Zuckerberg Owns | % Of Stock Held | How Much Is It Worth |
|---|---|---|
| More than 347 million | 13.5% | $120.5 billion |
This stake makes him the controlling shareholder who guides major decisions.
Today, Zuckerberg continues to steer Facebook, now rebranded as Meta Platforms, Inc., holding a significant share of its ownership.
What Is Meta?
Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, Inc. (founded in 2004), is a technology conglomerate that was rebranded on October 28, 2021, with the goal of creating an immersive virtual world.
Meta aims to transcend traditional social media boundaries by developing a comprehensive virtual reality space termed as the “metaverse”.
Meta says:
“Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology.”
This rebranding signals a strategic shift toward immersive, interconnected digital environments where people can interact more dynamically than ever before.
Why Was Meta Created?
The creation of Meta stems from the ambition to embrace and spearhead advancements in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
This move is designed to lay the groundwork for the next evolution of social technology, moving beyond screens to more vivid, interactive digital experiences.
Zuckerberg envisions a future where digital communities and connections are as tangible as those in the physical world.
Who Owns Facebook Now?
Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder of Facebook, is the driving force behind Meta.
He maintains substantial ownership and control over the company both as CEO and as the largest stakeholder.
There is also a diverse array of shareholders backing the company.
What Are Meta’s Products?
Meta owns and develops several major platforms and tools:
- Facebook: The original social networking site connecting billions of users worldwide.
- Instagram: Acquired in 2012, a photo and video sharing app known for Stories and Reels.
- WhatsApp: A messaging app offering end-to-end encrypted global communication.
- Meta Quest (Oculus): VR headset and platform for gaming, education, and social interaction.
- Messenger: Instant messaging app integrated with Facebook for chats and group messaging.
Meta’s Vision of VR
Meta’s grand vision is the metaverse: a shared virtual space where users can interact, work, and socialize in a simulated environment.
To achieve this, Meta is leveraging:
- Virtual Reality (VR)
- Augmented Reality (AR)
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The goal is to make virtual spaces as functional and accessible as physical ones.
Who Owns Meta Platforms?
Meta’s ownership is divided among several groups:
| Ownership Type | Percentage Owned |
|---|---|
| Insiders (employees, execs) | 9.18% |
| Mutual Funds | 26.76% |
| Other Institutional Investors | 40.88% |
| Public Companies & Individual Investors | 23.19% |
Each group holds a slice of Meta’s “ownership pie”:
- Insiders: Employees and board members.
- Mutual Funds: Investment pools owned by regular investors.
- Institutional Investors: Big players like pension funds or insurance companies.
- Public/Individuals: Companies and private investors.
Who Are the Biggest Investors of Meta?
Aside from Zuckerberg, the largest shareholders include:
| # | Holder | Stocks Held | % Of Stock | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Zuckerberg | 347.1 million | 13.5% | $120.5 billion |
| 2 | Vanguard Group | 183.2 million | 7.1% | $63.6 billion |
| 3 | BlackRock | 156.0 million | 6.1% | $54.1 billion |
| 4 | FMR (Fidelity) | 125.1 million | 4.9% | $43.4 billion |
| 5 | Capital Research & Management | 97.6 million | 3.8% | $33.9 billion |
| 6 | State Street Global Advisors | 86.1 million | 3.3% | $29.9 billion |
| 7 | T. Rowe Price Group | 50.6 million | 2.0% | $17.6 billion |
| 8 | Geode Capital Management | 45.2 million | 1.8% | $15.7 billion |
| 9 | JP Morgan Asset Management | 36.4 million | 1.4% | $12.7 billion |
| 10 | Norges Bank Investment Mgmt | 34.7 million | 1.3% | $12.0 billion |
FAQs on Who Owns Facebook?
Who Runs Facebook?
Mark Zuckerberg is the original co-founder and the current Chairman and CEO of Meta.
He holds over 50% voting power, making him the principal decision-maker.
Who Bought Facebook?
Facebook was not bought by another company.
Instead, it rebranded in 2021 to Meta Platforms, reflecting broader ambitions.
Why Does It Matter Who Owns a Publicly Traded Company?
Knowing the major shareholders is important because:
- They influence key decisions.
- Their actions (buying/selling shares) can affect stock price.
- They shape the direction and governance of the company.
How Does Zuckerberg Have So Much Voting Power?
Zuckerberg owns a special class of shares that gives him 10x the voting power compared to regular shares.
Thanks to this dual-class structure, he controls more than 50% of the voting rights even though he owns only about 13% of the stock.
What Does Meta’s Dual-Class Stock Structure Mean?
Meta has two types of shares:
- Class A: 1 vote per share (owned by public investors).
- Class B: 10 votes per share (owned by Zuckerberg and insiders).
This structure helps founders retain control over the company while raising funds from public investors who have limited voting power.
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