Who Is Jan Koum? Age, Biography and Wiki
Jan Koum was born on February 24, 1976, making him 49 years old in 2025. Born in Ukraine, he immigrated to the United States in his teenage years, where he later pursued a career in technology. As the co-founder of WhatsApp, he revolutionized the way people communicate, leading to its acquisition by Facebook in 2014 for $19 billion. Koum's story is one of determination, resilience, and immense success in the tech world.
| Occupation | Computer Programmer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 24, 1976 |
| Age | 49 Years |
| Birth Place | Kiev, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union (now Kyiv, Ukraine) |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
| Country | Ukraine |
Popularity
Jan Koum's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Jan Koum stands approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm). His weight is estimated to be around 165 lbs (75 kg). Known for his relatively athletic build, Koum maintains a healthy lifestyle which contributes to his overall well-being.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Jan Koum is in a relationship with his girlfriend, though he has kept details about his partner private. His personal life has largely remained under wraps, focusing instead on his professional achievements. He has previously shared the importance of family, highlighting his close ties with his mother, who played a pivotal role in his upbringing.
He grew up in Fastiv. In 1992, at the age of 16, he moved with his mother and grandmother to Mountain View, California. A social support program helped the family get a small two-bedroom apartment there. His father had intended to join the family later, but he never left Ukraine and died in 1997.
Koum and his mother remained in touch with his father until his death. At first, his mother worked as a babysitter while he worked as a cleaner at a grocery store. His mother died in 2000 after a long battle with cancer.
Net Worth and Salary
Jan Koum's net worth is estimated to be around $10 billion in 2025. Much of his wealth comes from the sale of WhatsApp to Facebook, along with several lucrative investments in various tech startups and ventures. His financial acumen has made him one of the wealthiest immigrants in the tech sector.
Jan Borysovych Koum (born February 24, 1976 ) is a Ukrainian-American billionaire businessman and computer programmer. He is the co-founder and former CEO of WhatsApp, a mobile messaging app which was acquired by Facebook in 2014 for US$19.3 billion.
According to Forbes, he has an estimated net worth of US$15.2 billion as of October 2023, making him one of the richest people in the world. Koum was ranked 44th on the Forbes' list of richest Americans in 2023 with a net worth of $15.1 billion.
Career, Business and Investments
Koum's career began with a passion for technology, leading him to work at Yahoo! for nearly a decade. His vision for WhatsApp stemmed from a desire to create a reliable communication platform, which quickly garnered millions of users worldwide. Following the success of WhatsApp, Koum has invested in various start-ups and has taken on advisory roles in several technology companies. He continues to explore new business opportunities and make impactful investments.
WhatsApp was initially unpopular, but its fortunes began to turn after Apple added push notification ability to apps in June 2009. Koum changed WhatsApp to "ping" users when they received a message, and soon afterward he and Fishman's Russian-speaking friends in the area began to use WhatsApp as a messaging tool, in place of SMS.
The app gained a large user base, and Koum convinced Acton, then unemployed, to join the company. Koum granted Acton co-founder status after Acton managed to bring in $250,000 in seed funding.
Social Network
Jan Koum is relatively active on social media, with a presence primarily on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. He utilizes these platforms to share insights about technology, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy. His followers appreciate his candidness and the valuable lessons he shares from his experiences in the tech industry.
In 1997, Koum met Brian Acton while working at Ernst & Young. Later that year, he was hired by Yahoo! as an infrastructure engineer. He quit school shortly thereafter. Over the next nine years, Koum and Acton worked at Yahoo! together. In September 2007, they left and took a year off, traveling around South America and playing ultimate frisbee. Both applied to work at Facebook but were rejected.
Education
Koum attended San Jose State University, where he studied computer science. His continued passion for learning and innovation has been a cornerstone of his career, enabling him to stay ahead of industry trends. Through self-education and a commitment to personal growth, Koum exemplifies the success that can come from hard work and dedication.
By the age of 18, Koum had become interested in computer programming. He enrolled at San Jose State University and simultaneously worked at Ernst & Young as a security tester. He also joined w00w00, a computer security think tank started in 1996, where he met future Napster creators Shawn Fanning and Jordan Ritter.
