#24: Ebay’s Pierre Omidyar and Pam Omidyar

The love story of Pam and Pierre Omidyar began as college sweethearts; their hearts entwined long before Pierre would go on to amass his billions through the creation of the iconic online auction site eBay. While it’s true that a whimsical rumor once suggested Pierre set up eBay to aid Pam’s collection of Pez candy dispensers, that delightful tale has been debunked over time.

In 1998, when Pierre’s company went public, the couple decided to dedicate most of their wealth to noble causes within their lifetimes. Today, with Pierre’s net worth standing at a remarkable $25 billion, their philanthropic journey continues to shape the world. In 2004, Pam and Pierre joined forces to co-found The Omidyar Network, a foundation with a resolute mission to catalyze social and economic change.