Let’s talk about Eduardo Saverin. You know him as the guy who got screwed in The Social Network. But what did he actually get from Facebook? Spoiler: it’s a lot more than a grudge.
The “Zuckerberg-Punched” Moment
Remember that movie scene where Eduardo’s stake gets diluted to 0.03%? Ouch. In real life, it wasn’t quite that dramatic, but it was messy. He sued Mark Zuckerberg, and they settled out of court.
That settlement is the key. It wasn’t just cash. It was a pile of Facebook shares that would later explode in value.
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The Real Number: It’s Billion with a B
Today, Eduardo Saverin is a billionaire. Forbes puts his net worth around $20 billion. That’s not a typo.
How? He kept his shares. He didn’t sell early. He held on like a dragon hoarding gold. That’s patience with a capital P.
Fun fact: He was born in Brazil, grew up in Miami, and studied at Harvard. He’s not even an American citizen anymore. He moved to Singapore for tax reasons—and became one of the richest people in the country.
But Wait—He Also Got a Title
He’s officially listed as a co-founder of Facebook. That’s not nothing. That’s a golden ticket for life.
That title lets him speak at tech conferences. It gets him into fancy dinners. It makes his business card absolutely ridiculous.
And he didn’t just get a title. He got a story. The story of “the guy who got squeezed out” is now a legend. Hollywood made a movie about it. That’s a weird kind of fame.
The Quirky Stuff: What He Didn’t Get
He didn’t get a board seat. No voting power. No say in the company’s direction. He’s like a rockstar who left the band before the big tour.
He also didn’t get a personal apology from Mark. In a 2019 interview, Eduardo said they don’t really talk. “We’re not enemies, but we’re not friends,” he said.
What Settlement Did Eduardo Saverin Receive From the Facebook Lawsuit?
Weird, right? You build a company together, then you’re just... neutral?
The Funniest Detail: The Basement
In the movie, Eduardo is portrayed as the “business guy” who funded the early days. In real life, he did—he wrote a $1,000 check to a server bill. That check hung in Facebook’s office for years.
He also got a plaque that says “Co-founder”. But the most hilarious detail? He once said in an interview that he “never really felt like a part of the Facebook culture.” He was too busy with his own hedge fund.
Imagine being a billionaire from a company whose culture you didn’t even like. That’s some cosmic-level irony.
The Real Prize: Freedom
Let’s not forget the money gives him freedom. He invests in startups. He runs a venture capital firm called B Capital Group. He’s friends with the guy who created Angry Birds.
He also buys private jets and luxury condos in Singapore. He once bought a $60 million penthouse. That’s 60 million for one apartment.
He took his Facebook stake and turned it into a life of zero bosses. That’s the ultimate currency.
The “What If” Game
What if he never sued? What if he kept his original 34% stake? He’d be worth roughly $200 billion today—richer than Elon Musk.
Comeback Kid: Facebook Co-founder Eduardo Saverin Drops Cash for Qwiki
But he didn’t. He got “only” 5% or so after the settlement. And he’s still a billionaire. That’s like complaining you won a bronze medal at the Olympics.
The moral? Getting some of Facebook is better than getting none of Facebook. Even if you got it from a lawsuit.
The Takeaway: He Got a Brand
Eduardo Saverin got more than money. He got a cultural identity. You can’t buy that. Every article about Facebook’s founding mentions his name.
He’s the guy who was wronged and then won. That’s a story people love. It’s David vs. Goliath, but David ended up with a penthouse and a private island.
So next time you see that movie, remember: Eduardo didn’t just get a check. He got a legacy. And a really nice apartment.
Bonus Weird Fact
His Facebook profile picture is still a photo from 2005. He’s not even active on the platform. The guy who co-founded Facebook barely uses it. That’s like the owner of a pizza place who only eats sushi.
It’s a strange, funny, and oddly satisfying ending. He got the money. He got the fame. And he got to walk away from the drama. Not bad for a guy who once wrote a check for a server.
That’s what Eduardo Saverin got from Facebook: a billion-dollar exit, a movie role, and the ultimate last laugh.