When centibillionaire Mark Zuckerberg abandoned his signature quiet luxury, the world took notice. The shockwave? Someone paid a staggering $40,500 for a necklace Zuckerberg may have only worn once. That’s nearly 100 times its original market value, a 6.5mm Cuban chain gold vermeil necklace, once worth a mere $425. It’s surprising, considering the youngest member of the $200 billion club opted for such affordable bling.
But Zuckerberg, with his longer curly locks, a superyacht or two in his port, and a private jet in the background, isn’t just about the lifestyle. In a bold move, he partnered with Tiltify, a fundraising platform, to auction off one of the “gold chains he wore during the early days of experimenting with his new style.” The auction saw 96 bids, with the final price reaching an eye-popping $40,500.
For the winning bidder, it wasn’t just about the necklace. The package included a personal touch from the billionaire himself: “Along with this iconic chain, you will also receive an authenticity certification in the form of a personal video from the gold chain owner, Mark Zuckerberg, to congratulate you on continuing the legacy of this piece of jewelry,” the auction page promised.
But as the world knows, the 40-year-old Zuckerberg is as much a philanthropist as he is a billionaire, and his actions are rarely purely financial. The auction benefited Inflection Grants, a charity that provides $2,000 micro-grants to support creative endeavors. According to Fortune, Zuckerberg was inspired to join the auction after hearing about the Long Journey charity poker tournament and the vital cause it championed.
