Eduardo Saverin: Facebook Co-Founder, Net Worth, Settlement

Eduardo Saverin co-founded Facebook in a Harvard dorm room, only to watch his 34% stake get diluted away as control shifted to Mark Zuckerberg. His legal fight ended with a reported $1 billion settlement — and a fortune that now stands at $33.2 billion.

Net worth (Forbes, 2026): US$33.2 billion ·
Known for: Co-founding Facebook (Meta Platforms) with Mark Zuckerberg ·
Initial Facebook stake: 34% (diluted to approx. 5% after series of funding rounds) ·
Settlement with Zuckerberg: Reported ~$1 billion (precise terms undisclosed)

Six verified facts about Eduardo Saverin, drawn from verified sources:

Are Eduardo Saverin and Mark Zuckerberg still friends?

The short answer: there is no public evidence of an ongoing close friendship. After the 2004 falling-out and the 2009 legal settlement, the two men have not been seen together in any personal capacity, and neither has spoken warmly of the other in interviews.

How their friendship evolved after the founding

• Saverin and Zuckerberg met at Harvard in 2004 and launched Facebook together from a dorm room (Wikipedia).
• By summer 2004, Saverin was cut from the company after disagreements over business strategy and funding (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).
• Saverin’s stake was diluted as new investors came in — a move he later contested in court (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

Public statements about their relationship

Saverin has not commented extensively on his relationship with Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg has not publicly reconnected. The 2009 settlement gave Saverin the right to be officially referred to as a Facebook co-founder (Bloomberg Billionaires Index), but it did not restore the friendship.

The implication: Saverin’s public silence on Zuckerberg suggests the rift remains unresolved — or at least, not worth revisiting.

Why did Mark get rid of Eduardo?

The removal was not personal in the Hollywood sense — it was a business decision driven by control and strategy. Zuckerberg wanted to keep Facebook’s direction in his own hands, and Saverin’s approach to funding and advertising clashed with that vision.

The 2004 business disagreement

• Saverin, as CFO and business lead, pushed for a traditional ad-based revenue model (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).
• Zuckerberg wanted to prioritize user growth over immediate monetization.
• Saverin stayed in New York while the rest of the team moved to Silicon Valley, creating a physical and strategic divide (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

The role of funding and board control

When Saverin’s stake was diluted from 34% to roughly 10% during funding rounds, he lost effective control. The dilution was structured so that new investors — and Zuckerberg — held the majority. Saverin sued in 2008, and the case was settled in 2009 (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

What this means: Zuckerberg’s move was a textbook consolidation of power — and it worked. Saverin’s lawsuit forced a settlement, but it did not reverse the dilution.

Why is Eduardo Saverin so rich?

Three factors explain Saverin’s wealth: his early Facebook stake, the 2009 settlement, and his later venture capital investments. Each layer built on the one before.

Early Facebook stake (34%)

• Saverin co-founded Facebook with a 34% equity stake (Wikipedia).
• That stake was diluted, but he still owned about 2% of Meta according to the company’s 2022 proxy statement (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).
• He also sold some stock to Alisher Usmanov’s DST in 2010 (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

Settlement from the 2008 lawsuit

The 2009 settlement gave Saverin an undisclosed stake and the right to be called a co-founder (Bloomberg Billionaires Index). Commonly reported at roughly $1 billion in stock and cash, the exact terms remain private. Bloomberg notes that Saverin owns more than $500 million of proceeds from the sale of Facebook shares, based on filings and analysis as of March 2026 (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

Later venture capital investments

Saverin co-founded B Capital Group in 2015 with Raj Ganguly (Bloomberg Billionaires Index). By 2019, B Capital had close to $800 million in assets (Forbes). The firm invests in enterprise technology and healthcare, and Saverin serves as Co-Founder and Co-CEO (B Capital).

The pattern: Saverin’s wealth trajectory shows that early equity in a high-growth company, even after dilution, can generate generational wealth — especially when reinvested through a VC firm.

Did Zuckerberg pay Eduardo?

Yes — but the exact amount is not public. The 2009 settlement resolved Saverin’s lawsuit over his ownership claims, and the terms were kept confidential.

The 2008 legal settlement

• Saverin filed a lawsuit in 2008 alleging that Zuckerberg and Facebook had improperly diluted his stake (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).
• The case was settled in 2009, with Saverin receiving an undisclosed stake and the right to be officially referred to as a co-founder (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

Terms of the agreement

Commonly reported as roughly $1 billion in stock and cash, the precise terms have never been confirmed by either party. Bloomberg’s analysis suggests the settlement included a significant equity component that later appreciated as Facebook grew (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

“The settlement gave Saverin an undisclosed stake and the right to be officially referred to as a Facebook co-founder.”

— Bloomberg Billionaires Index (Bloomberg)

The trade-off: Saverin accepted a confidential settlement rather than a public court ruling. For investors, this means the true value of his claim — and the strength of his legal case — remains unknown.

Is Eduardo Saverin still rich?

Yes — and he is getting richer. As of 2026, Forbes estimates his net worth at US$33.2 billion, making him the wealthiest Brazilian and the wealthiest person in Singapore (Wikipedia). He is also the third richest person in Latin America (Wikipedia).

Current net worth (Forbes 2026)

• Forbes estimates $33.2 billion as of 2026 (Forbes).
• Bloomberg lists his net worth at $30.0B in 2026 (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).
• He owns about 2% of Meta according to the company’s 2022 proxy statement (Bloomberg Billionaires Index).

B Capital co-leadership

Saverin is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of B Capital, based in Singapore (B Capital). The firm focuses on enterprise technology and healthcare, and Saverin’s role there generates ongoing income and investment returns.

“Saverin is the wealthiest Brazilian and the wealthiest person in Singapore as of May 2026.”

— Wikipedia (Wikipedia)

For investors in the target market, the implication is clear: Saverin’s wealth is not static. It grows with Meta’s performance and his own VC returns, making him one of the most dynamic billionaires in Southeast Asia.

Timeline: Eduardo Saverin’s journey

• 2004 — Saverin co-founds Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• 2004 — Saverin’s stake is diluted from 34% to ~10% due to funding rounds (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• 2005 — Saverin is removed from active role at Facebook (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• 2008 — Saverin files lawsuit against Zuckerberg; settled with undisclosed payout (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• 2011 — Saverin renounces U.S. citizenship (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• 2015 — Co-founds B Capital Group with Raj Ganguly (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• 2026 — Net worth reaches $33.2 billion (Forbes)

Confirmed facts vs. what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

• Saverin co-founded Facebook with a 34% stake (Wikipedia)
• He was removed from the company in summer 2004 (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• He received a settlement from Zuckerberg in 2009 (Bloomberg Billionaires Index)
• His current net worth is $33.2B (Forbes)
• He is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of B Capital (B Capital)

What remains unclear

• Exact settlement amount from the 2009 lawsuit
• Whether Saverin and Zuckerberg maintain any personal relationship
• Detailed terms of the 2008 agreement

Quotes from key figures

“The settlement gave Saverin an undisclosed stake and the right to be officially referred to as a Facebook co-founder.”

— Bloomberg Billionaires Index (Bloomberg)

“Saverin is the wealthiest Brazilian and the wealthiest person in Singapore as of May 2026.”

— Wikipedia (Wikipedia)

“B Capital identifies Saverin as a Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the firm.”

— B Capital (B Capital)

“Forbes described Saverin in 2019 as being widely recognized as a Facebook cofounder with net worth approximated around $10 billion.”

— Forbes (Forbes)

Saverin’s story is a case study in how early equity, legal strategy, and reinvestment can turn a diluted stake into a $33.2 billion fortune. For entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia and Latin America watching his trajectory, the lesson is not about luck — it’s about holding on to what you can, settling smartly, and building the next thing.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Sean Parker — Napster co-founder and Facebook’s founding president, whose career intersected directly with Saverin’s in Facebook’s early days.
• MrBeast — A modern billionaire/influencer whose story of internet-era wealth and scale complements Saverin’s journey from Facebook co-founder to one of the world’s richest individuals.