Who is Peter Thiel?
Peter Thiel is a German-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, and billionaire best known as the co-founder of PayPal, first outside investor in Facebook, and co-founder of Palantir Technologies. Widely regarded as one of Silicon Valley’s most influential and controversial figures, Thiel has shaped the modern tech ecosystem through bold investments, unconventional ideas, and visionary thinking.
Quick Profile
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Full Name: Peter Andreas Thiel
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Born: October 11, 1967
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Birthplace: Frankfurt, Germany
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Nationality: American
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Height: 5’10’’ (178 cm)
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Profession: Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Investor
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Net Worth: Estimated $7–9 Billion
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Known For: PayPal, Palantir, Founders Fund, Facebook investment, “Zero to One”
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Education: Stanford University (BA, JD)
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Marital Status: Married to Matt Danzeisen
Early Life & Education
Peter Thiel was born in Germany and moved to the United States when he was a baby. His family settled in California, where his academic talent showed early.
Education Highlights
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Studied philosophy at Stanford University
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Earned a JD from Stanford Law School
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Founded The Stanford Review, a libertarian/conservative student newspaper
Thiel’s intellectual background greatly influenced his future business and political views.
Early Career
Before entering the tech world, Thiel worked in:
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Law (briefly)
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Securities and derivatives trading
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Venture capital analysis
He became known for his strategic mind and interest in technology-driven disruption.
PayPal: The Major Breakthrough
In 1998, Peter Thiel co-founded PayPal with Max Levchin and Elon Musk (via X.com merger).
Thiel served as CEO and helped shape PayPal into one of the first major online payment platforms.
PayPal Achievements
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Grew into a global financial tech pioneer
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Went public in 2002
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Sold to eBay for $1.5 billion
Thiel’s stake made him a multimillionaire and formed the foundation of the famous “PayPal Mafia.”
Members of the PayPal Mafia later created:
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Tesla
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SpaceX
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LinkedIn
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Yelp
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YouTube
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Palantir
Thiel became a central figure in Silicon Valley because of this group.
Facebook Investment
In 2004, Peter Thiel invested $500,000 in Facebook for a 10.2% stake, becoming the company’s first outside investor.
Result
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Became a billionaire after Facebook’s IPO
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Served on Facebook’s board for almost two decades
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Helped mentor Mark Zuckerberg in business strategy
This is considered one of the greatest tech investments of all time.
Palantir Technologies
Peter Thiel co-founded Palantir in 2003 with Alex Karp and others.
What Palantir Does
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Data analytics
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Government intelligence software
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Counter-terrorism tools
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Corporate data solutions
Palantir has worked with:
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U.S. government agencies
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Military branches
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Financial institutions
The company went public in 2020, further boosting Thiel’s wealth.
Founders Fund & Venture Capital Career
Thiel co-founded Founders Fund, one of Silicon Valley’s most influential VC firms.
Notable Investments
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SpaceX
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Airbnb
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Stripe
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Lyft
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Asana
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Affirm
His investment style focuses on long-term, contrarian ideas and breakthrough technologies.
Zero to One: Author & Thinker
Peter Thiel wrote the bestseller “Zero to One,” a book on startups, innovation, and building the future.
Key Themes
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Create something new, not incremental
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Avoid competition
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Build monopolies through innovation
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Think independently
The book remains a standard reading for entrepreneurs worldwide.
Political Influence
Peter Thiel is known for his unconventional and sometimes controversial political positions.
Political Highlights
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Strong libertarian roots
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Supported tech-forward ideas like seasteading
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Major supporter of innovation and deregulation
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Backed several U.S. political candidates
His political involvement often sparks debate in both tech and political communities.
Personal Life
Peter Thiel is private about his personal life.
Family
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Married to Matt Danzeisen
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Lives between Los Angeles and Miami
Interests
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Philosophy
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Futurism
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Longevity research
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Space and technological progress
Thiel is known for his forward-thinking approach to both technology and life.
Net Worth
Peter Thiel’s estimated net worth is $7–9 billion, largely from:
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PayPal sale
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Facebook investment
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Palantir stake
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Venture capital portfolio
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Real estate investments
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Hedge fund ventures
His wealth places him among the world’s most influential tech investors.
Achievements
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Co-founded PayPal
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First outside investor in Facebook
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Co-founded Palantir Technologies
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Created Founders Fund
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Bestselling author
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Billionaire entrepreneur
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One of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Peter Thiel?
Born October 11, 1967.
What is Peter Thiel famous for?
PayPal, Facebook investment, Palantir, venture capitalism.
Is Peter Thiel married?
Yes, to Matt Danzeisen.
What is his net worth?
Estimated $7–9 billion.
Where does he live?
Primarily Los Angeles and Miami.
Conclusion
Peter Thiel’s journey from Stanford philosopher to billionaire tech investor reflects bold thinking, contrarian ideas, and a deep belief in innovation. As co-founder of PayPal and Palantir, and one of the most influential venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, Thiel continues to shape the future of technology, politics, and entrepreneurship.
