Evan Spiegel has a net worth of around 2.8 billion USD. He is the CEO of Snap and became a billionaire at the age of 25.

Evan Spiegel, he’s young, he’s incredibly wealthy, and he’s the brain behind one of the most addictive social media apps of all time: Snapchat.

With an estimated net worth of around $2.8 billion in 2024, Spiegel’s journey from a Stanford dropout to a tech mogul is the kind of success story that dreams (and maybe movies) are made of.

But how exactly did he make his billions? And what makes him such an intriguing figure in the tech world? Let’s take a closer look at his life, his fortune, and even the passports he carries!

What is Evan Spiegel Citizenship?

So, where does Evan Spiegel call home? Well, that’s an interesting question. While Spiegel was born and raised in the U.S., in 2018, he surprised everyone by acquiring French citizenship. Yes, you read that right, Evan Spiegel is a citizen of France.

The reason? It wasn’t just for the croissants. Spiegel received French citizenship as a gesture of appreciation from the French government after he made significant investments in the country’s tech sector. Snapchat has a major office in Paris, and Spiegel himself has often expressed his love for French culture. 

 He invested in citizenship as a high-net-worth insurance. So, now he holds dual citizenship, American and French.

What Passports Does He Have? A Tale of Two Passports

Thanks to his dual citizenship, Evan Spiegel has two passports: an American one and a French one. The American passport is a given, as he was born in the United States and has lived there most of his life. But the French passport? That’s a bit more unique for a Silicon Valley billionaire.

The dual citizenship gives Spiegel some interesting perks. Not only does he have the right to live and work in both the U.S. and France, but he also enjoys greater mobility across Europe and beyond. 

Having a French passport probably makes traveling a lot more fun, who wouldn’t want to skip the long immigration lines when they arrive at Charles de Gaulle?

Invest in freedom

The Early Days: A Privileged Beginning

Evan Spiegel was born on June 4, 1990, in sunny Los Angeles, California. Raised in a wealthy family in the glamorous Pacific Palisades, Spiegel’s early life was far from ordinary. 

His parents, both high-powered lawyers, ensured that he had access to the best education money could buy. He attended Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences, a private school known for nurturing creativity and critical thinking, two skills that would prove invaluable to Spiegel later on.

But it wasn’t all about books and exams for young Evan. He developed a passion for technology early on, learning the ropes of design and innovation before most kids could even spell “entrepreneur.”

After high school, he headed to Stanford University, where he began to seriously explore his love for design. And that’s where things started to get interesting.

Snapchat is Born: From a Class Project to a Global Phenomenon

Spiegel’s story might have been pretty typical for a kid with his background until he met Bobby Murphy, a fellow Stanford student who shared his interest in tech. Together, they brainstormed various startup ideas, but it wasn’t until 2011 that they struck gold with the concept of Snapchat, then called "Picaboo."

The idea was simple but revolutionary: a messaging app where photos and videos could disappear after being viewed. It was the anti-Facebook, and young people loved it. Rebranding as Snapchat in 2012, Spiegel and Murphy took their app to the world.

The growth was explosive, within a year, Snapchat had reached 100,000 users. Fast forward a bit, and the app had over 100 million daily active users, fundamentally changing how people communicated online.

Why Evan Spiegel Turned Down Facebook

What would you do if Facebook came knocking with a $3 billion check? For most people, the answer would be, "Take the money and run!" But not Spiegel. In 2013, he famously turned down Mark Zuckerberg’s offer to buy Snapchat for $3 billion. Many thought it was a crazy move, but Spiegel believed in his vision. And he was right. Snapchat kept growing, adding features like Stories and Discover that became wildly popular, and that other platforms, like Instagram, eventually copied.

By the time Snap Inc. went public in 2017, the company was valued at $24 billion. Spiegel, who was just 26 years old, became one of the youngest self-made billionaires in history. His net worth skyrocketed, and he became a fixture on the list of the world’s richest people.

Innovating with Augmented Reality: Spiegel’s Next Big Bet

If there’s one thing Evan Spiegel loves, it’s a good challenge. After Snapchat’s initial success, Spiegel set his sights on the next frontier: augmented reality (AR). Under his leadership, Snap Inc. has invested heavily in AR technology, developing features like AR lenses and filters that have kept Snapchat fresh, fun, and engaging.

Snapchat's AR features have also opened up new revenue streams through innovative advertising formats. Brands can create custom AR lenses, allowing users to interact with their products in a whole new way. This focus on AR has helped keep Snapchat relevant in a competitive social media landscape, and it's a big part of why Spiegel's net worth continues to climb.

It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Spiegel. Over the years, he’s faced fierce competition from the likes of Facebook and Instagram, both of which have copied several of Snapchat’s most popular features.

The company has also weathered its share of controversies, from data privacy concerns to struggles with its hardware products, like the underwhelming launch of Spectacles, Snapchat’s camera-equipped sunglasses.

But through it all, Spiegel has shown resilience and a knack for steering his company through turbulent waters. His strategic thinking and willingness to take risks have paid off in the long run, keeping both his fortune and his company’s future looking bright.

Behind the Billionaire: Spiegel’s Personal Life

When he’s not running a tech empire, Spiegel leads a relatively low-key life with his wife, Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, and their two children. The couple got married in 2017 and has since built a family that balances the high-paced life of Silicon Valley with the calm of their private life.

In fact, Miranda Kerr is one of the 7 richest Victoria’s Secret Angels in 2024.

Interestingly, Spiegel and Kerr have pledged to donate much of their wealth to charitable causes. They’ve both signed the Giving Pledge, a commitment by some of the world’s wealthiest individuals to give away at least half of their fortune to philanthropy. 

Spiegel might be young, but he’s already thinking about how he can give back.

What’s Next for the Snapchat CEO?

So, what’s next for Evan Spiegel? With his passion for innovation, don’t expect him to rest on his laurels. Spiegel continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with technology, particularly in the realms of AR and social media.

As Snap Inc. continues to explore new ideas and products, it’s clear that Spiegel’s story is far from over.

His dual citizenship and global mindset suggest that we might see him make even more moves on the international stage. Whether it’s expanding Snapchat’s presence abroad or investing in new tech ventures, one thing is for sure: Evan Spiegel is a name we’ll be hearing for years to come.

The Billionaire Who Redefined Social Media

From a privileged childhood in Los Angeles to building a tech empire worth billions, Evan Spiegel’s journey is nothing short of remarkable. 

With his innovative spirit, savvy business moves, and a few surprises along the way (hello, French passport!), Spiegel has carved out a unique place for himself in the tech world. And with a net worth of $2.8 billion in 2024, it’s safe to say he’s just getting started.

Spiegel’s story is proof that in the fast-paced world of technology, fortune favors the bold, and Evan Spiegel is certainly bold. As he continues to innovate and explore new horizons, we can only wait and see where his next adventure will take him.