Jimmy Wales Biography (Introduction): Jimmy Donal Wales, or as most people call him Jimbo Wales, is an American man who has made quite a splash online. He is an internet businessman, runs a website, and back in the day, he used to trade money. He also started Wikipedia, a free encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and Fandom, a wiki service that makes money. He was born in Huntsville, Alabama, and attended Auburn University and the University of Alabama to learn about finance.
Before all that, he taught at a few colleges, then finished a major finance degree and got a job running research at Chicago Options Associates. In 1996, he and two of his friends started a website called Bomis, which gained attention for its spicy photos. Then, in 2001, he teamed up with Larry Sanger and a few others to start Wikipedia – a free place where people share knowledge.
People say he co-founded Wikipedia, but Jimbo says, “No, it was just me.” He’s now on the Wikimedia Foundation board and gives an annual lecture called “State of the Wiki” at this organization called Wikimania.
Jimmy Wales Biography
Jimbo came into the world on August 7, 1966, in Huntsville, Alabama. He grew up in a small private school called the House of Learning. He was an avid bookworm and loved reading the World Book Encyclopedia, even though he thought it wasn’t perfect. After eighth grade, he enrolled in the Randolph School, a preparatory center in Huntsville.
The school wasn’t cheap, but he stuck it out and got a finance degree from Auburn in 1986. He then enrolled in a large finance program at the University of Alabama and got a master’s degree from Indiana University Bloomington.
While teaching at those schools, he became addicted to Internet games and began scouring the web. He didn’t like how the government messed with his school, and this shaped his views on politics.
| Name | Jimmy Donal Wales (known as Jimbo Wales or Jimmy Wales) |
| Occupation | American internet entrepreneur and webmaster |
| Height | 1.68 m |
| Date of birth | August 7, 1966 |
| Birthplace | Huntsville, Alabama, USA |
| Age | 58 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Nationality | American, British |
| Spouse | Kate Garvey (m. 2012), Pamela Green (m. 1986–1993), and Christine Rohan (m. 1997–2010) |
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Jimmy Wales Personal life
Jimbo has been married three times. He married Pamela Green when he was just 20. Then in 1997, he married Christine Rohan and they had a daughter together before divorcing in 2008. In 1998 he moved to San Diego and then to St Petersburg in 2002. In 2008 he had a short relationship with Rachel Marsden, a Canadian writer, but he says it didn’t affect his work.
In 2012 he married Kate Garvey, who used to organise things for Tony Blair. They met in Davos, Switzerland, and now have two young daughters. Jimbo doesn’t believe in religion – he says he relies on logic and doesn’t believe in God at all.
He’s been chilling in London since 2012 and also became a British citizen in 2019. Oh, and in 2021, he revealed that he moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina for a month after reading The 4-Hour Workweek by Ferriss.
Jimmy Wales Early career
In 1994, Jimbo started working at Chicago Options Associates, a place that traded future deals and options. He was always crazy about the internet – writing code and playing games like Multi-User Dungeon. When he saw Netscape become a huge success in 1995, and after making some money from interest rates and cash trades, he left that world to try out online stuff.
In 1996, he and two of his friends launched Bomis, a site with user-created links and sexy pictures. People called it a “male search engine,” a bit like Maxim online. But it didn’t work out.
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Jimmy Wales Wikipedia
Wikipedia was initially supposed to make money and help Bomis’ other thing, Nupedia. But it grew much faster than Nupedia and a small group of editors joined. Jimbo and a few others said, “Let’s make a free encyclopedia where anyone can add content.”
In the beginning, he and Sanger had no idea what was going to happen. However, many early backers were interested in the free culture and open-source vibes. Sanger took the lead and paid Bomis’ bills.
Bomis initially put money into Wikipedia and thought about ads, but when Sanger left, they cut costs and decided to become a nonprofit instead.
FAQs about Jimmy Wales
When was Jimmy Wales born?
He was born on August 7, 1966.
Where did Jimmy Wales grow up?
He grew up in Huntsville, Alabama, USA.
How tall is Jimmy Wales?
Jimmy Wales is 1.68 m tall.
How many times has Jimmy Wales married?
He has been married three times.
Does Jimmy Wales have children?
Yes, he has children.
What is Jimmy Wales’ full name?
His full name is Jimmy Donal Wales.
How old is Jimmy Wales?
Jimmy Wales is 58 years old as of 2025.
Where does Jimmy Wales live now?
He has lived in many places including London and the U.S.
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