Reid Hoffman Biography (Introduction): A renowned American author, investor, and businessman, Reid Hoffman has had a significant influence on both business and technology. Today most people know him as the co-founder of LinkedIn, a website that helps people around the world advance their careers and build relationships with other businesspeople.
However, Hoffman is not only a prosperous businessman; he has also influenced famous Silicon Valley brands like Facebook, Airbnb, and PayPal. His concept of “blitzscaling,” which focuses on rapidly expanding startups, has changed the way people look at new businesses. Let’s explore his life and accomplishments.
Reid Hoffman Biography
On August 5, 1967, Reid Garrett Hoffman was born in Palo Alto, California. The family settled in Berkeley, California, and his father, William Parker Hoffman Jr., and mother, Deanne Ruth Rutter, were both lawyers. Reid’s great-grandfather Theophilus Adam Wiley was also a church leader and president of Indiana University, so his family history is interesting.
Reid Hoffman loved clever and imaginative things as a child. After becoming interested in tabletop role-playing games, he got his first paid job as an editor for the gaming company Chaosium when he was just 12 years old. Reid’s mental development improved further in school. He completed high school at the Putney School in Vermont, where he learned both practical skills and abstract concepts.
He later received honors such as the Marshall Scholarship and the Dinkelspiel Prize while earning a bachelor’s degree in symbolic systems and cognitive science from Stanford University. He completed a Master of Philosophy from Oxford University in 1993. With all this knowledge, he was well prepared for his future as a business builder.
| Real Name | Reid Garrett Hoffman |
| Occupation | American internet entrepreneur and venture capitalist |
| Height | 1.68 m. |
| Date of birth | August 5, 1967 |
| Birthplace | Palo Alto, California, USA |
| Age | 57 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Nationality | American |
| Parents | William Parker Hoffman, Deanna Ruth Rutter |
| Spouse | Michelle Yee (m. 2004) |
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Reid Hoffman Personal Life
Reid Hoffman is very focused on his career, so he keeps his personal life to himself. He married Michelle Yee, a friend from his time at Stanford, in 2004. They both live in Palo Alto, California. Reid is a person who appreciates complex subjects like board games, philosophy, and science fiction.
He enjoys spending time with his loved ones, but he spends most of his time working on projects that have a significant impact on technology and society. Reid is described by people like his PayPal friend Peter Thiel as a compassionate and shrewd planner.
Reid Hoffman Career
Reid Hoffman’s work demonstrates how an individual can use intelligence and motivation to achieve significant success. He began working at Apple in 1994, where he contributed to the development of the early social media platform eWorld. He then managed products at Fujitsu before founding his first business, SocialNet, in 1997. He learned a lot from the defunct online dating and hobby-matching site.
Reid joined PayPal in 2000 as executive vice president and chief operating officer. He put a lot of effort into establishing relationships with businesses like eBay, MasterCard, and Visa. It was a significant event for him when eBay paid $1.5 billion to acquire PayPal in 2002.
Reid then started LinkedIn in December 2002 and launched it on May 5, 2003. With over 700 million users, it revolutionized job networking. Reid made LinkedIn profitable in his four years as CEO. Reid joined the board after Microsoft bought it for $26.2 billion in 2016.
He teamed up with Greylock Partners in 2009 and invested in new businesses like Airbnb and Aurora. His “blitzscaling” concept – growing businesses quickly – was very successful. Additionally, he launched innovative projects like Village Global and Inflection AI.
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Reid Hoffman Contributions and Legacy
Reid Hoffman is a thinker as well as a businessman. His well-known books, such as “The Start-up of You”, “The Alliance” and “Blitzscaling”, offer advice to ambitious entrepreneurs. His podcast, “Masters of Scale”, explores leadership and business issues. He was among the first to support OpenAI and has made significant contributions to the safety and equality of AI.
He also contributes greatly. Reid serves on the boards of organizations that give struggling or exceptionally talented people a chance at success, such as Kiva, Endeavor, and Opportunity@Work.
FAQs about Reid Hoffman
When was Reid Hoffman born?
He was born on August 5, 1967.
Where was Reid Hoffman born?
He was born in Palo Alto, California, USA.
Is Reid Hoffman married?
Yes, he is married to Michelle Yee.
Where did Reid Hoffman study?
He studied at Stanford University and later attended the University of Oxford.
Does Reid Hoffman have children?
No, there is no public information about him having children.
How old is Reid Hoffman?
Reid Hoffman is 57 years old as of 2025.
What is Reid Hoffman’s height?
Reid Hoffman is 1.68 m. tall.
