Wow! Read Mark Zuckerberg's $45-billion birth announcement

by

Carolyn Robertson

posted in Celebrities

Mark Zuckerberg hasn't been a dad for long, but it seems fatherhood has already had a very profound impact on him.

The Facebook CEO shared the happy news today that he and his wife Priscilla Chan have welcomed their baby girl. He made the big announcement by posting a sweet family photo along with a very powerful letter penned to their newborn daughter Max.

"Dear Max," the letter begins.

"Your mother and I don't yet have the words to describe the hope you give us for the future. Your new life is full of promise, and we hope you will be happy and healthy so you can explore it fully. You've already given us a reason to reflect on the world we hope you live in."

"Like all parents, we want you to grow up in a world better than ours today."

Mark, 36, goes on to explain how he and Priscilla plan to do their part to ensure a bright future for little Max and all children, writing, "Our hopes for your generation focus on two ideas: advancing human potential and promoting equality. Advancing human potential is about pushing the boundaries on how great a human life can be.... Promoting equality is about making sure everyone has access to these opportunities - regardless of the nation, families or circumstances they are born into."

The lengthy and heartfelt message goes on to talk about opportunities for curing disease, for personalized learning, for worldwide connectivity and for strengthened communities. The billionaire CEO, already a member of the esteemed $1 per year salary club, then makes an astounding pledge.

"[Your mother and I] will give 99% of our Facebook shares - currently about $45 billion - during our lives to advance this mission. We know this is a small contribution compared to all the resources and talents of those already working on these issues. But we want to do what we can, working alongside many others."

The letter, signed simply, "Love, Mom and Dad," ends with this sweet statement: "Max, we love you and feel a great responsibility to leave the world a better place for you and all children. We wish you a life filled with the same love, hope and joy you give us. We can't wait to see what you bring to this world."

Forty-five billion dollars. Wow.

Mark and Priscilla's incredible pledge - quite appropriately made on December 1, which is Giving Tuesday - got me thinking about a lot of things. Opportunities to do good, to give back, to identify the things that matter most.

It also, oddly enough, got me thinking about push presents.

A lot of us receive push presents after giving birth, whether a sparkly trinket or a new gadget. Celebrity parents are all over this particular trend, showing off their coveted post-baby designer handbags and dazzling multi-karat rocks.

Wouldn't it be nice, though, if Mark Zuckerberg's announcement sparked a brand new giving trend?

After all, what better way to celebrate the birth of a child than by injecting some good into the world they've just been born into? Not many of us have $45-billion under the mattress, but most of us have something. And the sentiment behind the pledge - to do what we can to make this place better for our children - is one I'm sure we can all support.

Congratulations to Mark and Priscilla on the arrival of their daughter Max. Visit the new dad's Facebook page to read his letter in full.

A girl named Max and other gender-neutral celebrity baby names...

Photo: REX USA