# Sam Altman

> Sam Altman is the CEO of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, and one of the most consequential figures in the artificial intelligence era. A Stanford dropout who built his first startup at 19, Altman ran Y Combinator for five years before going all-in on OpenAI's mission to build safe superintelligence. He survived a dramatic 5-day ouster from his own company in 2023, returned to thunderous employee support, and has since steered OpenAI to a $300 billion valuation. He holds no equity in OpenAI, yet built a $3+ billion personal fortune through early bets on Reddit, Stripe, Airbnb, and a cluster of deep-tech moonshots.

- **Role:** CEO at OpenAI
- **Organizations:** OpenAI, Y Combinator, Helion Energy, Loopt
- **From:** Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** High School Diploma, John Burroughs School, Computer Science (dropped out), Stanford University
- **Known for:** CEO of OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT - most rapidly adopted software product in history, Led Y Combinator to fund ~1,900 companies including Airbnb, DoorDash, Stripe, Reddit, Twitch, Steered OpenAI to a $300 billion valuation

## Career timeline

- **2005** — Co-founded Loopt, a location-based social networking app, at age 19
- **2012** — Loopt acquired by Green Dot Corporation for $43.4 million
- **2011** — Joined Y Combinator as a part-time partner
- **2014** — Became President of Y Combinator, succeeding Paul Graham
- **2015** — Co-founded OpenAI alongside Elon Musk, Greg Brockman, and others
- **2016** — Expanded role to President of YC Group
- **2019** — Left Y Combinator to become full-time CEO of OpenAI
- **2022** — Launched ChatGPT in November, triggering a global AI revolution
- **2023** — Fired by OpenAI board, reinstated 5 days later after 500+ employee revolt
- **2024** — Married Oliver Mulherin in Hawaii; signed The Giving Pledge
- **2025** — OpenAI valued at $300 billion in SoftBank-led round; welcomed first child
- **2025** — Published 'The Intelligence Age' manifesto on superintelligence

## Achievements

- CEO of OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT - most rapidly adopted software product in history
- Led Y Combinator to fund ~1,900 companies including Airbnb, DoorDash, Stripe, Reddit, Twitch
- Steered OpenAI to a $300 billion valuation
- Built $3.3 billion personal fortune without holding OpenAI equity
- Named to Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in 2023 and 2024
- Early investor in Reddit (12+ million shares), Stripe, Airbnb, Worldcoin
- Backed Helion Energy (nuclear fusion) and Retro Biosciences (life extension)
- Visited 22 countries in a single world tour to discuss AI policy with world leaders

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Anti-AI activist charged with firebombing Altman's San Francisco home and OpenAI headquarters
- **2026-04** — Stepped down from Oklo board to avoid conflicts of interest ahead of potential OpenAI IPO
- **2026-01** — OpenAI reportedly eyeing 2027 IPO with potential filing in late 2026 at ~$830 billion valuation
- **2025-03** — OpenAI closes SoftBank-led funding round at $300 billion valuation
- **2025-02** — Welcomed first child, a son, with husband Oliver Mulherin
- **2024-09** — Published 'The Intelligence Age' manifesto outlining vision for superintelligence
- **2024-05** — Signed The Giving Pledge with husband Oliver, committing to donate majority of wealth

## Links

- Website: https://blog.samaltman.com/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/sama
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sama/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/sam-altman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-21