Who Is David Karp? Age, Biography, and Wiki
David Karp was born on July 6, 1986, which makes him 39 years old as of 2025. Karp is best known as an influential American web developer and entrepreneur. He is the founder of the microblogging platform Tumblr, which he started in 2007 and played a significant role in shaping the social media landscape. Karp’s early passion for programming led him to drop out of high school at the age of 15 to pursue his career in technology. His journey from a young web developer to a successful entrepreneur is widely followed and admired.
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 6, 1986 |
| Age | 39 Years |
| Birth Place | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
David Karp's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
David Karp stands at approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall and weighs around 160 pounds (72 kg). His athletic build complements his dynamic lifestyle, reflecting a balance between work and personal interests. As for his body measurements, detailed specifics are not publicly available, but his keen interest in maintaining fitness is evident.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
David Karp’s personal life has often been a topic of curiosity among fans and followers. As of 2025, he is reportedly in a relationship, though specific details regarding his girlfriend are kept private. Karp has chosen to keep most aspects of his personal life away from the limelight, focusing instead on his professional endeavors. He has occasionally mentioned the importance of privacy and personal space in interviews.
Born in New York City, Karp grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. His parents are Barbara Ackerman, a science teacher from San Anselmo, California, and Michael D. Karp, a film and television composer. He has a younger brother named Kevin. His parents separated when he was 17.
Karp attended the Calhoun School from pre-school through eighth grade, where his mother teaches science. In 1997, he began learning HTML and began designing websites for businesses. Karp went on to attend The Bronx High School of Science for one year before dropping out in 2001 and started homeschooling.
At the time, Karp had aspirations of attending college in New York, or going to MIT and saw homeschooling and doing other projects on the side as a way to impress the colleges. Karp never returned to high school or earned his high school diploma.
Net Worth and Salary
As one of the notable figures in the tech world, David Karp's net worth is estimated to be around $200 million in 2025. This income stems from his successful entrepreneurial ventures, particularly with Tumblr, which he sold to Yahoo! in 2013 for approximately $1.1 billion. In addition to his previous earnings, Karp's continued investments and ventures in technology have contributed to his wealth over the years.
Career, Business, and Investments
David Karp’s career has been marked by his innovative contributions to the tech industry. After founding Tumblr, he served as CEO until 2019, significantly influencing internet culture. Post-Tumblr, Karp has focused on building new startups and engaging in various tech-related investments. His work often emphasizes the intersection of technology and user-centric design. He has also been involved in initiatives supporting mental health awareness in the tech community, showcasing his commitment to social causes.
Karp began his career, without receiving a high school diploma, as an intern under Fred Seibert at the animation company Frederator Studios, where he built the studio's first blogging platform and conceived, wrote, and edited their first internet video network, Channel Frederator.
Karp went on to work for the online parenting forum UrbanBaby until it was sold to CNET in 2006. Karp then started his own software consulting company, Davidville, where he worked with software engineer Marco Arment on projects for clients.
During a gap between contracts in 2006, the two began work on a microblogging website, which was launched as Tumblr in February 2007. As of November 1, 2017, Tumblr hosts over 375.4 million blogs.
In August 2009, Karp was named Best Young Tech Entrepreneur 2009 by BusinessWeek and in 2010, he was named to the MIT Technology Review TR35 as one of the top 35 innovators in the world under the age of 35.
Social Network
David Karp is active on several social media platforms, though he maintains a relatively low profile compared to other tech entrepreneurs. He prefers to share insights related to technology and entrepreneurship rather than personal aspects of his life. His Twitter account, @davidkarp, is the main platform where he shares updates about his professional experiences and perspectives on the industry.
Education
Despite leaving high school at 15, David Karp is self-taught and has demonstrated an impressive understanding of computer programming and business management. His unique educational path illustrates that traditional schooling does not define one’s potential for success. Throughout his career, Karp has continuously sought knowledge and learning experiences that support his professional growth.