Who Is Severin Hacker? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Born on November 6, 1984, Severin Hacker is 40 years old as of 2025. Originally from Switzerland, he moved to the United States for his education and eventually co-founded Duolingo in 2011 alongside Luis von Ahn. Known for his groundbreaking work in language education technology, Hacker has significantly contributed to the way millions learn languages today. You can read more about his journey on his Wikipedia page.
| Occupation | Computer Scientist |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 6, 1984 |
| Age | 40 Years |
| Birth Place | Zug, Switzerland |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | Switzerland |
Popularity
Severin Hacker's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Hacker maintains a healthy lifestyle, which is reflected in his physique. While specific measurements may vary, reports suggest that he stands approximately 6 feet tall. His weight is estimated to be around 180 lbs. As a public figure, he emphasizes the importance of fitness and well-being.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Severin Hacker appears to maintain a relatively private personal life. Nonetheless, he is known to be romantically linked to a partner whose identity has not been publicly disclosed. While information about his family is limited, Hacker often expresses appreciation for his close-knit family, which has provided him with essential support throughout his career.
Net Worth and Salary
Severin Hacker's net worth is estimated to be around $150 million as of 2025. This wealth primarily stems from his role at Duolingo, which has experienced remarkable growth and success since its inception. The company's initial public offering in 2021 significantly boosted Hacker's financial profile, with ongoing revenue generated from its subscription-based model contributing to his impressive net worth.
Career, Business and Investments
Hacker has had a remarkable career trajectory since his days at Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned his Ph.D. in computer science. His passion for making education accessible led to the creation of Duolingo, which revolutionized the ed-tech landscape. Beyond Duolingo, Hacker is actively involved in several tech startups and philanthropic initiatives aimed at improving education in underprivileged communities.
In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, he is often invited to speak at conferences and events, sharing insights on technology, education, and innovation.
Severin Hacker (born July 6, 1984) is a Swiss-American computer scientist who is the co-founder and CTO of Duolingo, the world's most popular language-learning platform.
Social Network
Severin Hacker is known to engage with his followers on various social media platforms. His Twitter handle, @severinhacker, offers a glimpse into his professional life, sharing updates about Duolingo, industry trends, and his thoughts on education. He is also active on LinkedIn, where he connects with fellow professionals and entrepreneurs.
Education
Hacker's educational background is impressive. He earned his Bachelor's degree in computer science from ETH Zurich, one of Europe’s leading technical universities. Later, he went on to receive his Ph.D. in computer science from Carnegie Mellon University, where he co-developed Duolingo as part of his research.
In conclusion, Severin Hacker's journey from a budding computer scientist to a leading figure in tech education exemplifies the impact of innovation and determination. His story continues to evolve, with exciting developments on the horizon.
Hacker and his team of PhD students used machine learning to personalize Duolingo to each user. Specifically, they wanted to predict what language concepts the user was on the verge of forgetting.
In 2012, a study by American universities showed that spending 34 hours of learning on Duolingo was equivalent to a full-semester of a college language course. In 2015, Hacker and von Ahn started selling translations, such as to the Spanish tech news group of CNN.
