Lawrence Edward Page (born March 26, 1973) is an American computer scientist, entrepreneur, and technology executive best known as the co-founder of Google and former Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet Inc. Along with Sergey Brin, Page helped revolutionize access to information on the internet through innovations in web search, large-scale computing, and artificial intelligence. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential technologists of the modern era.
As of recent years, Page is a centi billionaire and consistently ranks among the wealthiest individuals globally.
Early Life and Background
Larry Page was born in Lansing, Michigan, into an academically oriented family. His father, Carl Victor Page Sr., was a pioneer in computer science and artificial intelligence and a professor at Michigan State University. His mother, Gloria Page, was an instructor in computer programming. Raised in a secular household with strong academic influences, Page was exposed to computers, science journals, and technical discussions from an early age.
At six years old, Page began working with early personal computers and quickly developed a fascination with how machines functioned. He became known for dismantling household objects to understand their mechanics, a curiosity that shaped his lifelong interest in invention and systems design.
Page also studied music during his childhood and attended Interlochen Arts Camp, an experience he later credited with shaping his focus on speed, timing, and efficiency principles that influenced Google’s engineering culture.
Education
- Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Computer Engineering) – University of Michigan, 1995
- Master of Science in Computer Science – Stanford University, 1998
While at the University of Michigan, Page demonstrated early innovation by building an inkjet printer using LEGO bricks and proposing advanced transportation concepts such as driverless transit systems. At Stanford, he began doctoral research focused on the structure of the World Wide Web.
Research and the Creation of PageRank
During his PhD studies at Stanford University, Page explored the idea that web links could be treated as academic citations, with their quantity and quality reflecting a page’s importance. This research led to the development of PageRank, a link-analysis algorithm that became the foundation of Google’s search engine.
Page collaborated with fellow PhD student Sergey Brin on a research project initially known as BackRub, which analyzed web backlinks at scale. Their work resulted in the influential paper “The Anatomy of a Large-Scale Hypertextual Web Search Engine”, one of the most widely cited documents in internet history.
Founding of Google
In 1998, Page and Brin officially incorporated Google, Inc., naming it after a variation of “googol,” a mathematical term representing the number 1 followed by 100 zeros. Operating initially out of a garage in Menlo Park, California, they built a search engine designed to deliver faster, more relevant results than existing platforms.
Google rapidly expanded:
- By 2000, it indexed over 1 billion web pages
- Introduced scalable server architecture
- Prioritized speed, simplicity, and engineering efficiency
Page served as Google’s first CEO from 1997 to 2001.
Leadership and Expansion
2001–2011
Under investor guidance, Page stepped aside as CEO in 2001, with Eric Schmidt taking the role. Page remained deeply involved in product decisions and long-term strategy. During this period:
- Google went public in 2004
- Acquired Android in 2005
- Expanded into mobile, advertising, and global services
Android later became the world’s most widely used mobile operating system.
2011–2015
Page returned as CEO of Google in 2011. His leadership focused on:
- Long-term “moonshot” innovation
- Organizational efficiency
- Design consistency across products
- Investment in emerging technologies
Alphabet Inc.
In 2015, Page announced a major corporate restructuring, forming Alphabet Inc. as Google’s parent company. Page became Alphabet’s CEO, allowing Google to focus on core products while other ventures such as life sciences, artificial intelligence, and advanced research operated independently.
Page stepped down as Alphabet CEO in December 2019, transitioning leadership to Sundar Pichai, while retaining his role as a board member and controlling shareholder.
Innovation Philosophy and Other Ventures
Larry Page is known for advocating “10X thinking” the idea that transformative progress comes from solutions that are ten times better, not incremental improvements.
His interests include:
- Artificial intelligence and automation
- Renewable energy
- Advanced manufacturing
- Biotechnology and longevity research
He has supported or founded initiatives such as:
- Calico (biotechnology and aging research)
- Google X / X Development
- Dynatomics (AI-driven manufacturing)
- Aerial mobility startups and clean energy projects
Personal Life
Page married Lucinda Southworth, a research scientist, in 2007. The couple has two children. Known for maintaining a private lifestyle, Page rarely appears in public or media events.
He owns notable properties and has invested in environmentally sustainable architecture and renewable technologies. Page has also contributed significantly to philanthropic causes, including global health and disaster response initiatives.
Legacy
Larry Page is widely recognized for reshaping how information is organized and accessed worldwide. Through Google and Alphabet, his work has influenced search, mobile computing, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure, leaving a lasting impact on technology and global knowledge systems.