Samuel Harris Altman, born on April 22, 1985, is a prominent American entrepreneur and investor renowned for his leadership roles in the technology sector, particularly as the chief executive officer of OpenAI since 2019. His career spans various ventures, including founding Loopt, a location-based social networking app, and serving as president of Y Combinator, a prestigious startup accelerator.
Main Milestones
Birth
April 22, 1985
Sam Altman was born in Chicago, Illinois, into a Jewish family. He would later grow up in St. Louis, Missouri.
Early Interest in Computers
1993
At the age of eight, Altman received his first computer, an Apple Macintosh, and began to learn how to code and take apart computer hardware.
Dropped Out of Stanford University
2005
After two years at Stanford University studying computer science, Altman dropped out without earning a bachelor's degree to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
Co-founded Loopt
2005
Altman co-founded Loopt, a location-based social networking mobile application, and as CEO, he raised more than $30 million in venture capital for the company.
Loopt Acquisition
2012
Loopt was acquired by the Green Dot Corporation for $43.4 million after failing to gain significant user traction.
Y Combinator
2011-2019
Altman joined Y Combinator, a startup accelerator, initially working part-time. He was named president in 2014 and expanded YC's reach and influence, contributing to the success of numerous startups including Reddit, Stripe, and Airbnb.
Co-founded OpenAI
2015
Altman co-founded OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research organisation, which he would later lead as CEO starting in 2019.
CEO of OpenAI
2019
Altman became the CEO of OpenAI, leading the company through significant advancements, including the development of GPT-3 and DALL-E, and transitioning it from a non-profit to a for-profit entity.
Dismissal from OpenAI
November 17, 2023
Altman was unexpectedly removed as CEO of OpenAI by the company's board, citing that he was not consistently candid in his communications.
Reinstatement as OpenAI CEO
November 20, 2023
Following an employee revolt and public pressure, OpenAI announced that Altman would return as CEO with a new initial board, including Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D'Angelo.
Personal Life
2024
Altman married Oliver Mulherin in 2024.
Net Worth
January 2025
Altman's net worth was estimated at $1.1 billion, reflecting his significant contributions to the technology and investment sectors.
