Who Is Jimmy Wales? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on August 7, 1966, Jimmy Wales is widely recognized as the co-founder of Wikipedia, the world's largest online encyclopedia. With a passion for knowledge and information sharing, Wales revolutionized how people access educational content. As of 2025, he is 58 years old. Wales' career is notable not only for his influential role in academia but also for his various philanthropic endeavors and commitment to public service.
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 7, 1966 |
| Age | 58 Years |
| Birth Place | Huntsville, Alabama, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Leo |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Jimmy Wales's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Jimmy Wales stands at an impressive height of approximately 6 feet (183 cm) and weighs around 75 kg (165 lbs). His physical stature, coupled with his sharp intellect, has made him a prominent figure in both tech and academia. While specific body measurements are not widely available, Wales embodies a sense of professionalism that aligns with his impactful career.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Wales has had various high-profile relationships throughout his life. As of 2025, it is reported that he is in a relationship, although specific details about his girlfriend remain private. Wales was previously married to Pamia M. Wales and later to Christine R. Wales. Despite the challenges of public life, he values his personal relationships and often emphasizes the importance of family and companionship.
His father, Jimmy Sr., was a grocery store manager, while his mother, Doris Ann (Dudley), and his grandmother, Erma, ran the House of Learning, a small private school in the tradition of the one-room schoolhouse, where Wales and his three siblings received their early education.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Jimmy Wales boasts an estimated net worth of around $5 million. His income is primarily derived from his entrepreneurial ventures, investments in technology, and public speaking engagements. While he does not draw a salary from Wikipedia due to its non-profit status, Wales continues to earn through various speaking appearances and consultations on technology and media initiatives.
* In January 2015, Maastricht University awarded a Doctorate Honoris Causa to Wales. On April 25, 2015, Wales received the Common Wealth Award of Distinguished Service along with Jon Bon Jovi and Edward Norton.
On May 17, 2015, Wales received the Dan David Prize of $1million in the "Present" category (others won that amount for "Past" and "Future" contributions to society). He was awarded the prize for "launching the world's largest online encyclopedia".
Career, Business and Investments
Jimmy Wales co-founded Wikipedia in 2001, and since then, he has been a prominent figure in the realms of technology and information. Wales is also involved in several other projects, including Wikia (now Fandom), a platform that allows users to create and share content on various topics. He has invested in multiple startups and charitable organizations, focusing on education, transparency, and the promotion of free knowledge. His business acumen has solidified his reputation as a visionary leader in the tech industry.
Jimmy Donal Wales (born August 7, 1966), also known as Jimbo Wales, is an American Internet entrepreneur and former financial trader. He is a co-founder of the non-profit free encyclopedia, Wikipedia, and the for-profit wiki hosting service Fandom (formerly Wikia). He has worked on other online projects, including Bomis, Nupedia, WikiTribune, and WT Social.
Social Network
Wales is active on various social networking platforms, where he continues to engage with both his followers and fellow innovators. His presence on Twitter and LinkedIn allows him to share insights about knowledge, technology, and modern-day media challenges. Fans and admirers can follow him on these platforms for personal updates and professional commentary on relevant global issues.
In 1996, Wales and two partners founded Bomis, a web portal known for featuring erotic photographs. Bomis provided the initial funding for the free peer-reviewed encyclopedia Nupedia (2000–2003). On January 15, 2001, with Larry Sanger and others, Wales launched Wikipedia, a free open-content encyclopedia that enjoyed rapid growth and popularity.
As its public profile grew, Wales became its promoter and spokesman. Though he is historically credited as a co-founder, he has disputed this, declaring himself the sole founder.
Education
Jimmy Wales attended Auburn University, where he studied finance, and later pursued advanced studies in the field. He also attended the University of Alabama, where he developed his interest in technology and knowledge dissemination. His education laid the foundation for his pioneering work in creating and promoting free access to information through digital means.
During an interview in 2005 with Brian Lamb, Wales described his childhood private school as a "Montessori-influenced philosophy of education", where he "spent lots of hours poring over the Britannica and World Book Encyclopedias".
There were only four other children in Wales' grade, so the school combined the first- through fourth-grade students, and the fifth- through eighth-grade students.
As an adult, Wales was sharply critical of the government's treatment of the school, citing the "constant interference and bureaucracy and very sort of snobby inspectors from the state" as a formative influence on his political philosophy.
Conclusion
As Jimmy Wales continues to evolve both personally and professionally in 2025, his legacy as a co-founder of Wikipedia and advocate for free knowledge remains undiminished. His commitment to education, relationship status, and ongoing investments in technology highlight the multifaceted life of this innovative leader. Whether through his social media presence or philanthropic efforts, Wales continues to inspire many around the world.
