# Eric Schmidt

> software engineer, businessman, former Google CEO

**Wikidata**: [Q92747](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q92747)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Schmidt)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eric-schmidt

## Summary  
Eric Emerson Schmidt (born 27 April 1955) is an American software engineer, businessman, and former chief executive officer of Google. He guided Google’s transformation from a fast‑growing search startup into a global technology powerhouse and later served as chairman of its parent company, Alphabet Inc.

## Biography  
- **Born:** 1955‑04‑27, Washington, D.C., United States  
- **Nationality:** United States  
- **Education:**  
  * B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Princeton University (1976)  
  * M.S. in Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley (1979)  
  * Ph.D. in Computer Science, University of California, Berkeley (1982)  
- **Known for:** Leading Google as CEO (2001‑2011) and shaping Alphabet Inc.  
- **Employer(s):** Alphabet Inc. (current), Google (former CEO & Executive Chairman), Apple Inc. (affiliation), Stanford University (affiliation)  
- **Field(s):** Computer engineering, software engineering, business leadership  

## Contributions  
Eric Schmidt joined Google in 2001 as chief executive officer, succeeding co‑founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin in day‑to‑day operations. During his tenure (2001‑04‑00 to 2011‑04‑00) he oversaw the company’s rapid expansion, the launch of major products, and the scaling of its advertising infrastructure, turning Google into a multibillion‑dollar enterprise. In 2015 he helped restructure Google under the new holding company Alphabet Inc., serving as its chairman and board member until 2019‑06‑19. Schmidt also founded the Schmidt Ocean Institute in 2009, a U.S.‑based oceanographic research foundation that funds and operates advanced research vessels. His leadership roles have placed him on the United States President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, and the steering committee of the Bilderberg Meetings, influencing policy on technology and security.

## FAQs  
### Q: What was Eric Schmidt’s role at Google?  
A: He was chief executive officer from March 2001 to April 2011 and later served as executive chairman, guiding the company’s growth and its transition into Alphabet Inc.  

### Q: What is the Schmidt Ocean Institute?  
A: Founded by Schmidt in 2009, it is a U.S. oceanographic research foundation that funds scientific expeditions and operates a research vessel to advance marine science.  

### Q: How much is Eric Schmidt worth?  
A: As of 2019, his estimated net worth was US $12.9 billion (estimate).  

## Why They Matter  
Schmidt’s stewardship turned Google from a niche search engine into a dominant force in internet services, advertising, and cloud computing, setting standards for data‑driven business models. By establishing Alphabet, he introduced a corporate structure that enables independent innovation across diverse technology domains, from autonomous vehicles to life sciences. His advocacy in national security and AI policy, through bodies such as the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, shapes how governments address emerging technologies. The Schmidt Ocean Institute adds a philanthropic dimension, advancing marine research that would be under‑funded without private support. Collectively, his technical, managerial, and policy contributions have reshaped the modern digital economy and scientific enterprise.

## Notable For  
- CEO of Google (2001‑2011), overseeing exponential revenue and user growth.  
- Chairman of Alphabet Inc., guiding the creation of the holding company in 2015.  
- Founder of the Schmidt Ocean Institute (2009), supporting oceanographic research.  
- Recipient of the IEEE Founders Medal (2014) and Ellis Island Medal of Honor.  
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and the U.S. President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

## Body  

### Early Life and Education  
- Born in Washington, D.C., to a family of German‑American heritage.  
- Attended Yorktown High School (1968‑1972).  
- Earned a B.S. in electrical engineering from Princeton University in 1976.  
- Completed an M.S. (1979) and Ph.D. (1982) in computer science at the University of California, Berkeley.

### Career at Google  
- Joined Google in March 2001 as chief executive officer, reporting to founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.  
- Directed product expansion, advertising platform scaling, and global infrastructure growth.  
- Transitioned to executive chairman in 2011, remaining a key strategic advisor.  

### Role at Alphabet Inc.  
- Helped launch Alphabet Inc. in 2015 as Google’s parent holding company.  
- Served as chairman of Alphabet’s board until June 2019, overseeing subsidiaries in AI, health, and autonomous systems.  

### Other Ventures and Affiliations  
- Affiliated with Apple Inc. and Stanford University in advisory capacities.  
- Founded the Schmidt Ocean Institute (2009) to fund marine science.  
- Serves on the United States President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence.  

### Awards and Honors  
- IEEE Founders Medal (2014) for leadership in technology.  
- Ellis Island Medal of Honor (date unspecified).  
- Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering.  

### Personal Life  
- Married to Wendy Schmidt since 1980; they have a daughter, Sophie Schmidt.  
- Residences include Blacksburg, Virginia; Atherton, California; and Washington, D.C.  

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## References

1. [Source](http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390444375104577594010338735918)
2. [Source](http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/hillary-rodham-clinton.htm)
3. [Source](http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/14/us/eric-schmidt-fast-facts/)
4. Davos 2014 Participant List
5. Integrated Authority File
6. [Source](http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/24/opinion/24iht-edgardels.4324766.html)
7. [Source](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22815900)
8. datos.bne.es
9. [Source](https://abc.xyz/investor/news/2019/0430/)
10. Czech National Authority Database
11. [Source](http://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/lucy-watson-spencer-matthews-court-coursey-and-executive-news-photo/169602257)
12. [Source](http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lucy-watson-spencer-matthews-court-coursey-and-executive-news-photo/169602257)
13. [Source](http://www.hollywood.com/movies/4754257/frozen)
14. [Source](http://www.hollywood.com/movies/4232533/the-avengers)
15. [Source](http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2F978-3-642-40403-0_1.pdf)
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17. general catalog of BnF
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20. [Source](https://pagesix.com/2019/03/18/eric-schmidt-dumps-girlfriend-for-also-dating-hedge-fund-founder/)
21. [Source](https://www.bilderbergmeetings.org/steering-committee.html)
22. [Source](https://www.nscai.gov/press/press-releases/press-release-20190312)
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30. Davos 2004 List of Participants
31. Global Conference 2019 - Speakers
32. Global Conference 2022 - Speakers
33. IdRef
34. BBC Things
35. Library of Congress Control Number
36. [The World's Billionaires. 2019](https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/list/;5/#version:static)
37. Quora
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39. [Source](https://www.podchaser.com/creators/eric-schmidt-107ZzsCkr9/appearances)
40. The Movie Database