Peter Thiel: Venture Capitalist, Entrepreneur, and Political Activist

Early Life and Career

Peter Andreas Thiel was born on October 11, 1967, in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Stanford University and a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School. After graduating, Thiel worked as a securities lawyer before co-founding PayPal, an online payment service, in 1998.

Founders Fund and Valar Ventures

After PayPal was acquired by eBay in 2002, Thiel co-founded Founders Fund, a venture capital firm that has invested in companies such as SpaceX, Airbnb, and Facebook. In 2010, he also established Valar Ventures, a global venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology startups.

Political Involvement

Thiel has become increasingly involved in politics in recent years. He was an early supporter of President Donald Trump and has donated millions of dollars to Republican candidates and causes. Thiel has also expressed support for libertarian and anti-establishment views, including the abolition of the Federal Reserve and the breakup of large technology companies.

Legacy and Impact

Peter Thiel is a highly influential figure in the worlds of business and politics. His investments have helped launch some of the most successful startups of the 21st century, and his political activism has shaped the discourse on a wide range of issues. Thiel's legacy will continue to be debated for years to come, but there is no doubt that he is one of the most important and intriguing figures of our time.