Brian Chesky is an American businessman and industrial designer, born on August 29, 1981, in Niskayuna, New York.
He is the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, a peer-to-peer room and home rental company.
Chesky attended the Rhode Island School of Design and has a background in art, design and architecture.
As of January 2024, he is the 232nd richest person in the world, with a net worth of $9.4 billion, mainly due to his ownership of 76 million shares of Airbnb.
Chesky is also known for his philanthropic work, having launched a $100 million scholarship program.
Age, height and weight
Chesky was born on August 29, 1981, making him 42 years old as of 2024.
He stands at a height of 5 feet 8 inches (1.75 meters) and weighs 74 kilograms.
He was active in bodybuilding competitions in his early twenties and still has 16-inch biceps.
Ethnicity and nationality
Chesky is an American national of Polish and Italian descent.
His father is of Polish and Ukrainian Jewish descent, while his mother is of Italian origin.
Parents and siblings
Chesky’s parents are Robert H. Chesky and Deborah Chesky.
His father is of Polish descent, while his mother is of Italian ancestry; both of his parents were social workers.
He has a younger sister named Allison Chesky.
Wife: Meet Elissa Patel
Chesky is in a relationship with Elissa Patel, an artist of Indian descent.
They met on Tinder in New York before moving to California, where Airbnb is headquartered.
Patel has a background in technology and has worked in various marketing and consulting roles.
She transitioned to a career in art and has a diverse educational background, including degrees in marketing, international business, and finance and economics.
Patel’s parents moved to the US in the 1950s, and she has extended family, including paternal grandparents, in Gujarat, India.
Elissa Patel’s profession
Patel is a professional artist, entrepreneur, and designer.
She describes her style as ‘letting her mind run free’ and is known for her artistic takes on pop culture.
Patel completed a degree in Marketing at Santa Clara University and has also studied International Business at Imperial College, London and the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.
Brian Chesky’s career
Chesky is best known as the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb.
He showed an early interest in art, drawing replicas of paintings and redesigning shoes and toys.
Chesky attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where he met his future business partner, Joe Gebbia.
He initially worked on a few startups and also pursued bodybuilding before co-founding Airbnb in 2008.
As the CEO of Airbnb, he has been a pioneering figure in the travel and hospitality industry, revolutionizing the way people travel and find accommodations.
Chesky has also been involved in philanthropy, launching a $100 million scholarship program.
He is recognized as a visionary leader and has been featured in various prestigious lists, such as Time’s 100 Most Influential People and Forbes’ 40 Under 40.
How did Brian Chesky start Airbnb?
Chesky started Airbnb in 2008 with his childhood friend Joe Gebbia.
The idea for Airbnb was born out of necessity when they couldn’t afford the rent for their San Francisco apartment.
They decided to rent out air mattresses in their living room to conference attendees, which led to the creation of a website called AirBed & Breakfast.
The concept evolved into a platform that allowed people to rent out their living spaces to travelers.
Despite facing numerous rejections from investors, Chesky and his team focused on creating a perfect experience for their customers, eventually achieving success through word-of-mouth marketing.
This approach involved converting 100 people at a time and iterating until they loved the experience.
Today, Airbnb is a global phenomenon, having served an estimated 1.4 billion guests since its launch and achieving a market cap of $76 billion as of March 2023.
Chesky’s journey from a design and art enthusiast to a visionary leader in the travel and hospitality industry is truly inspiring, reflecting his resilience and innovative spirit.
How much of Airbnb does Brian Chesky own?
Chesky holds a significant stake in the company.
As of November 2023, he owns about 63.5 million of the unlisted Class B shares in Airbnb and about 17.6 million Class A shares.
This substantial ownership reflects his pivotal role in the company’s success and his continued influence as a major shareholder and leader within the organization.
Net worth
As of February 2024, Chesky is the 232nd richest person in the world according to Forbes, with a net worth of $9.4 billion.
His net worth is mostly due to his ownership of 76 million shares of Airbnb.
Brian Chesky’s house
There is no clear information available on Chesky’s house.
However, in a tweet from January 2022, Chesky announced that his home is now on Airbnb, and he will be there when guests are staying.
FAQ
How did Brian Chesky come up with the idea for Airbnb?
Chesky and his friend Joe Gebbia came up with the idea for Airbnb when they couldn’t afford the rent for their San Francisco apartment.
They decided to rent out air mattresses in their living room to conference attendees, which led to the creation of a website called, AirBed & Breakfast.
What is Brian Chesky’s net worth?
His net worth is estimated to be $9.4 billion as of January 2024, according to some sources.
However, other sources indicate that his net worth may be higher, with the Bloomberg Billionaires Index reporting his net worth to be $11.8 billion.
What is Brian Chesky’s background?
Chesky has a background in art, design, and architecture.
He attended the Rhode Island School of Design and showed an early interest in art, drawing replicas of paintings and redesigning shoes and toys.
Who is Brian Chesky’s girlfriend?
Chesky is in a relationship with Elissa Patel, an artist of Indian descent.
They met on Tinder in New York before moving to California, where Airbnb is headquartered.
What is Brian Chesky’s ethnicity and nationality?
He is an American national of Polish and Italian descent.
His father is of Polish and Ukrainian Jewish descent, while his mother is of Italian origin.
What is Brian Chesky’s role at Airbnb?
Chesky is the co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, a peer-to-peer room and home rental company.
He has been a pioneering figure in the travel and hospitality industry, revolutionizing the way people travel and find accommodations.
What is Brian Chesky’s educational background?
He attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where he met his future business partner, Joe Gebbia.
He has a background in art, design, and architecture.
What is Brian Chesky’s leadership style?
Chesky is known for his visionary leadership style, which emphasizes innovation, creativity, and customer-centricity.
He has been recognized as a pioneering figure in the travel and hospitality industry, and his leadership has been instrumental in Airbnb’s success.