Michael Moritz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir
Michael Moritz
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Moritz in 2013
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| Born |
Michael Jonathan Moritz
12 September 1954 Cardiff, Wales
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| Citizenship | United Kingdom, United States |
| Education |
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| Occupation | Former Partner at Sequoia Capital |
| Known for | Venture capitalist |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Heyman |
| Children | 2 |
Sir Michael Jonathan Moritz (born September 12, 1954) is a very successful businessman. He was born in Wales and later became an American citizen. He is known as a venture capitalist, which means he invests money in new companies that he thinks will grow big. He is also a philanthropist, someone who gives a lot of money to help others.
Before becoming a famous investor, Michael Moritz was a journalist and author. He wrote the first history of Apple Inc. called The Little Kingdom. He also worked for Time magazine. He studied at the University of Oxford and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Later, he became a top venture capitalist, even being named the number one investor on Forbes magazine's Midas List in 2006 and 2007.
Contents
Early Life and School
Michael Jonathan Moritz was born in Cardiff, Wales, on September 12, 1954. His parents, Ludwig and Doris Moritz, were Jewish and had to leave Nazi Germany before he was born. His father was a professor at Cardiff University.
Michael went to Howardian High School in Cardiff. He then earned a bachelor's degree in history from Christ Church, Oxford, a college at the University of Oxford. In 1978, he got his MBA (Master of Business Administration) from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Career Journey
Working as a Journalist
Michael Moritz started his career as a journalist. In the early 1980s, he worked as a reporter for Time magazine. Steve Jobs, one of the founders of Apple, asked him to write a book about how the Mac computer was being developed. Steve Jobs wanted Michael to be their "historian" because he was close in age to the Apple team.
By late 1982, Michael was in charge of Time magazine's San Francisco office. He was working on a special issue that was supposed to be about Steve Jobs. However, the magazine decided to make the special issue about "The Computer" instead of just Steve Jobs. After the issue came out, Steve Jobs was upset and stopped talking to Michael.
Despite this, Michael finished his book, The Little Kingdom: The Private Story of Apple Computer. Many people still think it is one of the best books about Apple. Years later, in 2009, Michael wrote an updated version called Return to the Little Kingdom. He explained that he was also unhappy with how Time magazine changed his story.
In 2015, Michael Moritz also worked with famous football manager Alex Ferguson on his book, Leading. This book shares lessons about success in business and life.
Becoming a Venture Capitalist
In 1986, Michael Moritz joined Sequoia Capital, a company that invests in new businesses. He had previously co-written a book about the Chrysler car company. After leaving Time magazine, he also helped start a company called Technologic Partners, which created technology newsletters and conferences.
Michael Moritz became very successful by investing in internet companies. Some of the well-known companies he invested in include Google, Yahoo!, PayPal, YouTube, and LinkedIn. He also served on the boards of many companies, helping them grow.
His investment in Google was especially successful. It helped him become one of the richest people in Wales. In 2006 and 2007, Forbes magazine named him the top investor on their "Midas List". He was also named one of the "TIME 100" most influential people in 2007.
In July 2023, Michael Moritz decided to step back from his daily work at Sequoia Capital after nearly 40 years. He still helps some companies like Stripe and Klarna, but he now focuses more on a wealth-management fund he helped create called Sequoia Heritage.
The San Francisco Standard
Michael Moritz also helped fund a news website called San Francisco Standard. This website focuses on news about San Francisco and uses social media like Instagram and YouTube to share its stories.
Awards and Recognition
Michael Moritz has received several special awards and honors:
- In July 2010, he was given an honorary fellowship from Cardiff University in Wales. His father had also worked there.
- In July 2014, he was honored as a fellow of Aberystwyth University.
- In November 2014, he received an honorary doctorate from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
- In 2013, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) by the Queen of England. This honor was for his work in helping British businesses and for his charity work.
Personal Life
Michael Moritz lives in San Francisco with his wife, Harriet Heyman, who is a novelist. They have two children.
In May 2012, Michael shared that he had a health condition. Because of this, he decided to step back from his daily work at Sequoia Capital and became the chairman instead.
Helping Others and Community Work
Giving Back
Michael Moritz is a part of The Giving Pledge. This means he has promised to give away at least half of his wealth to help good causes. He and his wife have made many large donations:
- In June 2008, they gave $50 million to Christ Church, his old college at Oxford University. This was the biggest donation the college had ever received.
- In July 2012, they donated £75 million to Oxford University. This money helps students from families with lower incomes get scholarships. It was the largest donation ever to an undergraduate university in Europe.
- In February 2013, he gave $5 million to the Juilliard School for their music program.
- In September 2013, he and his wife gave $30 million to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). This money helps PhD students with their studies.
- In February 2016, they gave $50 million to the University of Chicago to help students from lower-income families.
- In May 2018, Michael Moritz donated $20 million to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). This was the largest donation the organization had ever received.
Michael Moritz has also supported various community causes in San Francisco. For example, he has donated to groups that work on issues like homelessness and local politics.
Crankstart Charity
In 2019, it was announced that Michael Moritz and his wife's charity, Crankstart, would be sponsoring the Booker Prize for novelists for five years. The Booker Prize is a very famous award for books.
