Early Life and Education

Sergey Mikhailovich Brin was born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, to Jewish parents Mikhail and Eugenia Brin. Facing anti-Semitism in the Soviet Union, the Brin family emigrated to the United States in 1979, settling in Maryland. Brin's father became a mathematics professor at the University of Maryland, and his mother worked as a researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Brin attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School and later enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science in 1993. He then pursued graduate studies at Stanford University, obtaining a Master's degree in computer science in 1995. (en.wikipedia.org)

Founding of Google

While at Stanford, Brin met Larry Page, a fellow graduate student. The two collaborated on a research project that analyzed the mathematical properties of the World Wide Web, leading to the development of the PageRank algorithm. This algorithm formed the foundation of a new search engine they named Google, a play on the word "googol," representing the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. In 1998, Brin and Page co-founded Google Inc., with Brin serving as the president of technology. The company rapidly grew, becoming the world's leading search engine and expanding into various internet-related services and products. (britannica.com)

Role in Alphabet Inc.

In 2015, Google underwent a corporate restructuring, resulting in the creation of Alphabet Inc., a holding company that encompasses Google and its various subsidiaries. Brin became the president of Alphabet, overseeing the company's diverse ventures, including research in artificial intelligence, life sciences, and other innovative technologies. He stepped down from this role in December 2019 but remained involved as a board member and controlling shareholder. (forbes.com)

Personal Life

Brin married biotech analyst and entrepreneur Anne Wojcicki in 2007, and the couple had two children before divorcing in 2015. In 2018, he married legal tech founder Nicole Shanahan, with whom he has a daughter. Brin and Shanahan separated in 2021, and their divorce was finalized in 2023. (en.wikipedia.org)

Philanthropy and Other Ventures

Brin has been actively involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly in the field of medical research. He has donated over $1.5 billion to Parkinson's disease research, a condition that affects his mother. Additionally, Brin has invested in various innovative projects, including LTA Research, a company focused on developing modern airships for humanitarian missions. (forbes.com)

Awards and Recognition

Throughout his career, Brin has received numerous accolades. In 2002, he was named one of the top 100 innovators under 35 by MIT Technology Review. In 2004, he and Page received the Marconi Prize for their contributions to information science and communications. As of June 2025, Brin is ranked among the top ten richest individuals globally, with an estimated net worth of $149 billion. (en.wikipedia.org)