Sergey Mikhailovich Brin (born August 21, 1973) is a Russian-born American computer scientist and entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of Google alongside Larry Page. Brin played a pivotal role in developing Google's search engine and served as the president of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company, until stepping down in December 2019. As of April 2025, he remains a board member and controlling shareholder of Alphabet.

Early Life and Education

Brin was born in Moscow, Russia, to Jewish parents, Mikhail and Eugenia Brin. In 1979, at the age of six, his family immigrated to the United States to escape anti-Semitic discrimination in the Soviet Union. They settled in Maryland, where his father became a mathematics professor at the University of Maryland, and his mother worked as a researcher at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.

Brin attended Paint Branch Montessori School in Adelphi, Maryland, and later studied at Eleanor Roosevelt High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Maryland in 1993. Subsequently, he pursued a Ph.D. in computer science at Stanford University, where he met Larry Page.

Career

Founding of Google

At Stanford, Brin and Page collaborated on a research project that analyzed the structure of the World Wide Web. Their work led to the development of the PageRank algorithm, which became the foundation for Google's search engine. In 1998, they received a $100,000 investment from Andy Bechtolsheim, co-founder of Sun Microsystems, prompting the official incorporation of Google Inc.

Google quickly gained popularity for its efficient search capabilities and user-friendly interface. The company expanded its services to include Gmail, Google Maps, Google Docs, and the Android operating system. In 2004, Google went public, solidifying its position as a leading technology company.

Alphabet Inc.

In 2015, Google restructured to form Alphabet Inc., a conglomerate overseeing Google's core businesses and other ventures. Brin became the president of Alphabet, focusing on emerging technologies and innovative projects. He stepped down from this role in December 2019 but continues to be involved as a board member and controlling shareholder.

Personal Life

Brin married Anne Wojcicki, co-founder of 23andMe, in 2007. The couple had two children before divorcing in 2015. In 2018, he married Nicole Shanahan, a legal tech founder and philanthropist. They have one child together and divorced in 2023.

Brin is known for his philanthropic efforts, including significant donations to Parkinson's disease research, influenced by his family's medical history. He also supports various educational and technological initiatives.

References

1. Sergey Brin - Wikipedia
2. Sergey Brin | Biography, Google, & Facts | Britannica
3. Sergey Brin’s Childhood: The Google Co-Founder's Early Life - Pressfarm
4. Sergey Brin - Forbes
5. Sergey Brin Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life & Achievements