When you’re married to Mark Zuckerberg, one of the world’s richest tech billionaires, turning 40 looks a little different. Priscilla Chan, who celebrated her milestone birthday on February 24th, enjoyed a celebration that offers a rare glimpse into the private lives—and spending habits—of tech’s most influential couple.
A Celebration Fit for Tech Royalty
The Meta founder spared no expense for his wife’s 40th birthday party. According to sources close to the couple, the celebration featured:
- A custom-designed champagne tower cake that reportedly cost upwards of $50,000
- A private concert with an orchestra and surprise musical guest
- Four designer outfit changes throughout the evening
- A venue transformed by renowned event planners who previously worked with royalty
While Mark Zuckerberg typically maintains a relatively modest public persona (famous for his signature gray t-shirts), the birthday celebration revealed a different side to the tech mogul and his willingness to spend on meaningful occasions.
The Birthday Post That Says It All
On Instagram, Zuckerberg shared a rare personal glimpse into their relationship, writing: “Celebrating the most important person in my life. You are a great partner, mother, and friend, and I’m grateful to share this life with you.”
The post, which garnered over 805,000 likes, showcased the couple in a lavishly decorated venue that industry experts estimate would cost at least $200,000 to design and execute for a single evening.
The Chan-Zuckerberg Lifestyle
To put this celebration in context, it’s worth noting that the couple has seen their fortune increase significantly since Meta’s pivot to AI and the metaverse. While they pledge to donate 99% of their Meta shares over their lifetime through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, their day-to-day lifestyle reflects their immense wealth:
- A primary residence valued at over $60 million
- A 1,400-acre compound in Hawaii worth $170 million
- A private jet estimated to cost $60 million
- A security detail with an annual budget exceeding $25 million
More Than Just a Party
For Chan, who co-leads one of the world’s most ambitious philanthropic organizations while raising three daughters (Maxima, August, and Aurelia), the celebration represents a rare moment in the spotlight. Usually preferring to remain behind the scenes, Chan has been instrumental in directing the couple’s philanthropy toward education, science, and healthcare initiatives.
Industry analysts note that celebrations like these serve dual purposes for the ultra-wealthy: personal enjoyment and relationship maintenance within elite social circles. The guest list reportedly included Silicon Valley executives, philanthropic partners, and long-time friends from the couple’s Harvard days.
The Business of Celebration
Celebrity event planner Troy Williams estimates that a birthday celebration of this caliber typically starts at $2 million for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. “What we’re seeing with the tech elite is a willingness to invest in meaningful personal celebrations that rival traditional luxury spending among old money circles,” Williams explains.
For the Zuckerbergs, whose wealth has weathered various controversies and market fluctuations, such celebrations represent a tiny fraction of their fortune—equivalent to what the average American might spend on a dinner out.
The Bottom Line
While the exact cost of Priscilla Chan’s 40th birthday celebration remains private, what’s clear is that it exemplifies how the tech elite’s immense wealth translates into personal indulgences. As Zuckerberg continues to build Meta’s AI and metaverse ambitions in 2025, this rare glimpse into their private celebration reminds us of the extraordinary lifestyle that comes with creating one of the world’s most valuable companies.