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Peter Thiel's Facebook Shares Could Be Worth Billions

Peter Thiel sold 20 million Facebook shares in 2012, which would now be valued at nearly $15 billion.

July 1, 2025 at 04:00 AM

Peter Thiel sold 20 million shares of Facebook just months after its IPO—but they’d be worth nearly $15 billion more if he had held on

Peter Thiel sold shares of Facebook shortly after its IPO, missing out on nearly $15 billion in value.

Peter Thiel's Facebook Shares Worth Billions After 2012 Sale

In 2012, billionaire Peter Thiel sold around 20.1 million shares of Facebook shortly after its IPO, netting him about $400 million. Today, those shares would be valued at approximately $14.76 billion. Thiel invested in Facebook early, believing in its potential, especially among college students. Mark Zuckerberg acknowledged Thiel's significant contributions to Facebook as a member of the board until 2022.

Key Takeaways

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Peter Thiel sold his Facebook shares for $400 million shortly after IPO.

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Those shares would now be worth close to $15 billion.

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The case illustrates risks of early cashing out in tech investments.

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Timing plays a crucial role in investment decisions.

"I think investors always have a bias to invest in things they themselves use."

Thiel reflects on the challenges investors face in valuing emerging markets.

"Peter has been a valuable member of our board and I'm deeply grateful for everything he has done."

Mark Zuckerberg's praise for Thiel highlights his importance to Facebook.

Thiel's early investment and subsequent decision to sell highlight a common challenge in venture capital: timing. While he profited handsomely, the lost potential of holding those shares serves as a reminder of how swift market changes can be. Investors often face a tough choice between securing gains and waiting for potential exponential growth. The tech industry is notorious for such scenarios, and Thiel's experience reflects the volatility of investing, especially in rapidly growing companies like Facebook.

Highlights

Thiel's early cash-out cost him nearly $15 billion.
Timing is everything in tech investments.
Selling too soon can haunt even savvy investors.
Investors often face tough choices on when to sell.

Thiel's Sale Raises Investment Concerns

Thiel's decision to sell a large portion of his Facebook shares just after the IPO illustrates the risks associated with investment timing and the potential for missing out on future gains. Such decisions can have significant financial implications for investors and influence market perceptions.

Thiel's experience serves as a lesson about the unpredictable nature of investing in technology.

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peter thiel facebook investment venture capital tech industry business technology finance

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