# Ashlee Vance

> Ashlee Vance is a South Africa-born, Texas-raised journalist, author, and documentary producer who spent 14 years at Bloomberg Businessweek before launching Core Memory in January 2025 - an independent sci-tech media company. He is the author of two New York Times bestselling books including the definitive pre-Isaacson biography of Elon Musk, producer of HBO's Wild Wild Space and Netflix's Don't Die, and creator of Bloomberg's most-watched video series Hello World. In 2025 he is writing a forthcoming book on OpenAI and Sam Altman with exclusive access, and already sold the film rights.

- **Role:** Founder & CEO at Core Memory
- **Organizations:** Core Memory, Bloomberg Businessweek, The New York Times, The Register
- **From:** South Africa
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Pomona College
- **Known for:** 2x New York Times Bestselling Author (Elon Musk, 2015; When the Heavens Went on Sale, 2023), Emmy nomination (2017) for Outstanding Science, Medical and Environmental Report, Creator and host of Hello World, Bloomberg's most-viewed video series

## Career timeline

- **2000** — Graduated from Pomona College with BA in Philosophy
- **2003-2008** — Staff writer at The Register (UK-based tech publication)
- **2007** — Published first book: Geek Silicon Valley
- **2008-2010** — Reporter at The New York Times
- **2011** — Joined Bloomberg Businessweek as feature writer
- **2015** — Published Elon Musk biography (NYT #1 bestseller); launched Hello World documentary series on Bloomberg
- **2017** — Emmy nomination for Hello World episode on Chilean observatory
- **2022** — Updated edition of Elon Musk biography released
- **2023** — Published When the Heavens Went on Sale (NYT bestseller)
- **2024** — Wild Wild Space premieres on HBO (July 17); Don't Die in production for Netflix
- **2025-01** — Left Bloomberg and launched Core Memory, independent sci-tech media company
- **2025-01** — Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever released on Netflix (January 1)
- **2025** — Core Memory reaches 31,000+ Substack subscribers; ranks #33 in Technology on Substack
- **2025** — Secured exclusive access to OpenAI and Sam Altman for forthcoming book; film rights already sold

## Achievements

- 2x New York Times Bestselling Author (Elon Musk, 2015; When the Heavens Went on Sale, 2023)
- Emmy nomination (2017) for Outstanding Science, Medical and Environmental Report
- Creator and host of Hello World, Bloomberg's most-viewed video series
- Producer of Wild Wild Space (HBO, 2024) and Don't Die (Netflix, 2025)
- Secured 50+ hours of exclusive interviews with Elon Musk for his biography
- Launched Core Memory to 31,000+ subscribers within months of founding
- Sold film rights to forthcoming OpenAI/Sam Altman book before completion
- Original Bloomberg article about Bryan Johnson that launched Johnson's global fame

## Latest updates

- **2025-04** — Core Memory viral moment: feature story and YouTube short went viral; podcast hit all-time highs
- **2025-03** — Core Memory surpassed 31,000 Substack subscribers, ranked #33 in Technology on Substack
- **2025-01** — Don't Die: The Man Who Wants to Live Forever (Netflix) released January 1; Vance credited as producer
- **2025-01** — Officially left Bloomberg and announced Core Memory as independent sci-tech media company
- **2025-01** — Secured exclusive OpenAI/Sam Altman book access; Headline Publishing Group (UK) acquired rights; film rights sold
- **2024-07** — Wild Wild Space premiered at DC/DOX Film Festival; released on HBO July 17

## Links

- Website: https://www.ashleevance.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleevance
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/ashleevance
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashlee.vance/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/ashlee-vance
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-29