Exploring the Life of Anne Wojcicki: A Biographical Account

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Biography of Anne Wojcicki

Anne Wojcicki is known for setting the grounds for 23andMe, one of the world’s biggest databases for genetic information.

She is also known to be part of a family with a stubborn streak. Considering her interest in genetics and biotechnology, it is no wonder.

Wojcicki helped various people track their lineage through DNA. She had a vision that turned her into a millionaire that changed lives.

In this article, we will learn more about Anne Wojcicki and how her consumer genetics company helped families find each other.

“The reality is that the only way change comes is when you lead by example.” ~ Anne Wojcicki

Early Life and Education

Anne Wojcicki was born on the 28th of July 1973 in San Mateo, California. Her parents are Esther and Stanley.

Her father is Polish by origin, whereas her mother is Jewish.

Wojcicki has two sisters, Janet and Susan, who grew up to become accomplished women.

Janet became a renowned epidemiologist and anthropologist at the University of California, whereas Susan became YouTube’s CEO.

Both of Wojcicki’s parents were in the field of education. As a result, Anne spent most of her childhood on the campus of Stanford University, where her father taught physics.

Her mother was a journalist, educator, and board member of “Creative Commons.”

In addition, Wojcicki would spend much of her time on campus, learning ice hockey and figure skating.

Wojcicki attended high school in California, at the Palo Alto Gunn High School, together with her sisters.

The teachers caught on to her talent for writing and made her the editor of “The Oracle,” the school magazine. In addition, she enjoyed writing about sports, which eventually won her a scholarship.

After graduating from high school, Wojcicki went to Yale University, where she studied biology.

However, she still maintained an interest in sports throughout her years at university.

So, when she wasn’t studying for her major, she would play on the women’s hockey team or engage in competitive ice skating.

In 1996, Wojcicki earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology.

She continued her studies at the University of California, San Diego, and the National Institute of Health, where she studied molecular biology.

From a young age, Wojcicki firmly believed in gender equality. Whether at work or during her free time, she would work to make this dream come true for women.

She had her mother as a role model, and this helped Wojcicki believe more in herself and her abilities.

“It’s up to all of us, the consumers, to take charge of our health. It’s almost like voting. It’s your responsibility.” ~ Anne Wojcicki

Career

Wojcicki’s career started with Passport Capital, where she worked as an investment analyst for healthcare.

She would be there for about four years, focusing on biotechnology companies and overseeing healthcare investments.

However, she did not enjoy the work culture and found the Wall Street healthcare concern lacking. As a result, in 2000, she decided to quit her job.

At first, Wojcicki wanted to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and enroll in medical school.

However, her passion for biotechnology prevailed, and she continued researching this field.

In 2006, she partnered with biologist Linda Avey and set up the personal genomics company “23andMe.” She named the company after the 23 pairs of chromosomes in a normal human cell, a piece of information that stood as the basis of her research.

They set up the company in Mountain View, California, where they would do the genetic testing.

Wojcicki was the company’s CEO, and they created the personal genome test kit, which relied on saliva samples to get the personal genome.

The idea was so revolutionary that Time Magazine featured it under “Invention of the Year” in 2008. The Fast Company magazine also named Wojcicki “The Most Daring CEO” in 2013.

The kit succeeded for various purposes, and the FDA approved it for health-related testing in 2015.

For example, doctors could use it to test for the risk of conditions such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, coeliac disease, and certain cancers.

By the time 2016 turned a corner, 23andMe had done more than one million tests worldwide. In the same year, Wojcicki announced that they would launch ResearchKit, the first genetics research-based module of the company.

The software was created for iPhones, and it would work to collect genetic data from previous 23andMe customers.

The software was a success, as Wojcicki significantly grew her database. Until then, scientists had little to go on, as their information was limited.

However, with more and more people adding to the database, the company was able to provide even more accurate genetic information.

Later, in 2018, the company formed a 4-year partnership with GlaxoSmithKline to create new medicine.

In addition, the standalone $99 Ancestry Service was also launched later, where anyone could trace their genetic lineage with just one saliva sample.

“April 25th is DNA Day. I know, you probably had no idea.” ~ Anne Wojcicki

Philanthropy and Advocacy

Wojcicki was a researcher but also donated to various causes. During her years of marriage, she ran the Brin Wojcicki Foundation with her husband, stepping down from the role in 2017.

Before that, they would donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation extensively. In 2009, they donated $1 million to help the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society.

In 2022, Wojcicki joined The Giving Pledge, where she would commit to donating a good part of her wealth.

During her genetic research, she also began various programs to create a larger database, including all ethnic groups. She believed everyone has a right to know their genetic line, regardless of color.

“I’m not going to change; I’m very stubborn in this way. I am what I am.” ~ Anne Wojcicki

Personal Life

In May 2007, Wojcicki married Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google.

The couple had two children, a son and a daughter, but they separated in 2013, followed by a divorce in 2015.

The two ran a family office named Bayshore Global Management, managing over $100 billion in assets.

After the divorce, Wojcicki began dating Alex Rodriguez, the hitter for the New York Yankees.

The baseball star was linked with various stars, such as Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, and Madonna, which added to his fame.

The relationship became popular on social media, as she was nothing like Rodriguez’s previous girlfriends. However, the couple broke up after one year of dating.

Her grandfather was Franciszek Wójcicki, a Polish politician who was a member of the Polish People’s Party and the People’s Party.

In 1946, Franciszek was elected during the Polish legislative election. Her grandmother was Janina Wójcicka Hoskins, a Library of Congress librarian who ran the most extensive Polish material collection in the U.S.

“The FDA serves a real purpose: To protect public health.” ~ Anne Wojcicki

Conclusion

Anne Wojcicki helped numerous people find their lineage and genetic information with her company, 23andMe.

She made a name for herself in biotechnology, and her genome test brought her even more recognition worldwide.

Today, 23andMe has one of the most exhaustive personal genetic databases in the world, with Wojcicki planning to increase it even further.

She believes that everyone, regardless of ethnicity or race, should be able to find their lineage.

Key Points

Anne Wojcicki is the co-founder and CEO of 23andMe, a prominent consumer genetics company.
She was born to Esther and Stanley Wojcicki on July 28, 1973, in San Mateo, California.
Wojcicki comes from a family of accomplished individuals, including her sisters Janet and Susan.
She attended Yale University, where she studied biology and was involved in sports like ice hockey and competitive ice skating.
In 2006, she co-founded 23andMe with biologist Linda Avey, offering personal genome testing using saliva samples.
The company gained recognition and was featured in Time Magazine’s “Invention of the Year” in 2008.
23andMe’s genetic testing kit was approved by the FDA for health-related testing in 2015.
Wojcicki expanded the company’s database through ResearchKit and collaborations with GlaxoSmithKline.
She has been actively involved in philanthropy, donating to causes like the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
Wojcicki joined the Giving Pledge in 2022, committing to donating a significant portion of her wealth.
She believes in providing access to genetic information for all individuals, regardless of ethnicity or race.
Wojcicki was previously married to Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, and later dated Alex Rodriguez.
Her vision and contributions have made 23andMe a leading platform for genetic information and lineage tracking.

Timeline of Anne Wojcicki

1973:

Anne Wojcicki is born on July 28 in San Mateo, California.

Pre-1991:

Anne Wojcicki attends Palo Alto Gunn High School in California.

1996:

Anne Wojcicki earns her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from Yale University.

She also studies molecular biology at the University of California, San Diego, and the National Institute of Health.

Late 1990s – Early 2000s:

Wojcicki works as an investment analyst for Passport Capital for about four years.

2000:

Anne Wojcicki leaves her job at Passport Capital.

2006:

Anne Wojcicki co-founds the personal genomics company 23andMe with biologist Linda Avey.

2007:

Anne Wojcicki marries Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, in May.

2008:

23andMe’s personal genome test kit is featured under “Invention of the Year” by Time Magazine.

2009:

Anne Wojcicki and Sergey Brin donate $1 million to the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society through the Brin Wojcicki Foundation.

2013:

Anne Wojcicki separates from Sergey Brin. The same year, Fast Company magazine names Wojcicki “The Most Daring CEO.”

2015:

The FDA approves 23andMe’s kit for health-related testing. Anne Wojcicki divorces Sergey Brin.

2016:

23andMe launches ResearchKit, the first genetics research-based module of the company. The company had conducted over one million tests worldwide by this year.

2017:

Anne Wojcicki steps down from her role at the Brin Wojcicki Foundation.

2018:

23andMe forms a 4-year partnership with GlaxoSmithKline and also launches the standalone $99 Ancestry Service.

2022:

Anne Wojcicki joins the Giving Pledge, committing to donate a significant part of her wealth.

Lessons From The Life of Anne Wojcicki

Donating to causes Anne believes in is an important part of her life. The lesson for this post Is about giving and donating.

You feel good when you donate to causes you believe in. It may give you joy, a feeling of success, being part of a community, etc., or it just feels like the right thing to do.

Some people have never experienced donating, which could be because they are not financially comfortable. And that’s understandable. But here is something to think about.

The majority of the population will never be wealthy.

Now you don’t have to be wealthy to give to charity or donate to a cause dear to your heart.

Instead, you can donate amounts that may not seem significant but can still help over time.

Charities depend on donations, and sometimes we hear about large ones. But if you think about it, people like you and me keep charities open and work towards the causes that improve the world.

So you don’t have to donate large amounts. What helps charities is setting up a monthly donation. For example, even $10 – $25 per month can help. When you donate on a monthly plan, you don’t feel the pinch, and you can still support a good cause.

One part about donating is to research the cause, ensure they are doing what they promise, and then let go and let them do their work.

Unfortunately, I have seen people make donations and still want to control how the money is used, which, from my point of view, is silly.

If you want to control how your donation is used, it’s better not to donate.

Naturally, if you donate a significant amount, like 25,000 dollars or more, and want that to go to a specific cause, then that’s different than trying to control your $100 donation.

If you plan to donate when you’re well off and financially stable, it won’t be easy because you’re not used to it.

Instead, you can donate a percentage of your income now and keep that same percentage no matter how much money you make.

For example, would .5% or 1% of your income hurt your financial stability? Probably not. You could use this or a similar percentage and start anytime.

Even if things improve, you could stick to the same percentage, which won’t affect you.

One more thing before we wrap things up: if you feel you can’t contribute financially, you can volunteer your time to a cause you believe in.

Volunteering is an excellent way to give back and is always in demand.

These were just a few ideas and insights about donations, charities, and giving back! The choice is yours whether to donate or not.

Anne Wojcicki is the founder of 23andMe, a major database for genetic information.
She was born to parents Esther and Stanley on July 28, 1973, in San Mateo, California.
Her father, Stanley, is Polish, and her mother, Esther, is Jewish.
Wojcicki has two sisters, Janet, an epidemiologist and anthropologist, and Susan, the CEO of YouTube.
Anne Wojcicki grew up on the Stanford University campus, where her father taught physics.
She attended Palo Alto Gunn High School and Yale University, where she studied biology and earned her Bachelor of Science in 1996.
Wojcicki later studied molecular biology at the University of California, San Diego, and the National Institute of Health.
She started her career at Passport Capital as an investment analyst for healthcare.
In 2006 she co-founded the personal genomics company “23andMe” with biologist Linda Avey.
The personal genome test kit they created was named “Invention of the Year” by Time Magazine in 2008.
The test kit was approved by the FDA for health-related testing in 2015.
By 2016, 23andMe had conducted over one million tests worldwide.
2018, the company partnered with GlaxoSmithKline and launched a standalone $99 Ancestry Service.
Wojcicki was part of the Brin Wojcicki Foundation, which substantially donated to various causes.
In 2022, she joined the Giving Pledge, committing to donate a large portion of her wealth.
She married Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, from 2007 to 2015, with whom she has two children.
After her divorce, she dated Alex Rodriguez, a New York Yankees player.
Her grandfather, Franciszek Wójcicki, was a Polish politician, and her grandmother, Janina Wójcicka Hoskins, ran the largest Polish material collection in the U.S. at the Library of Congress.
As of 2023, 23andMe has one of the world’s most extensive personal genetic databases.

Frequently Asked Questions About Anne Wojcicki

The information in this post answers many of the questions about Anne Wojcicki. In addition, this section provides a summary and any further information.

1. When and where was Anne Wojcicki born?

Anne Wojcicki was born in San Mateo, California, on July 28, 1973.

2. Who are Anne Wojcicki’s parents?

Her parents are Esther and Stanley Wojcicki.

3. What are the names of Anne Wojcicki’s sisters, and what are their accomplishments?

Anne Wojcicki has two sisters named Janet and Susan. Janet is a renowned epidemiologist and anthropologist at the University of California, and Susan was the CEO of YouTube.

4. Where did Anne Wojcicki spend most of her childhood?

She spent most of her childhood on the campus of Stanford University, where her father taught physics.

5. What did Anne Wojcicki study at Yale University?

She studied biology at Yale University.

6. What did Anne Wojcicki and Linda Avey co-found in 2006?

They co-founded the personal genomics company “23andMe.”

7. Why did Anne Wojcicki name the company “23andMe”?

The company was named after the 23 pairs of chromosomes in a normal human cell, which was the basis of their research.

8. When was 23andMe’s personal genome test kit featured in Time Magazine?

It was featured as the “Invention of the Year” in 2008.

9. What types of health-related conditions can doctors test for using 23andMe’s kit?

Doctors can test for the risk of conditions such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, coeliac disease, and certain cancers.

10. What partnership did 23andMe form in 2018, and with whom?

In 2018, 23andMe formed a 4-year partnership with GlaxoSmithKline to create new medicine.

11. With whom was Anne Wojcicki previously married, and when did they divorce?

Anne Wojcicki was previously married to Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google. They divorced in 2015.

12. Who did Anne Wojcicki date after her divorce from Sergey Brin?

Anne Wojcicki dated Alex Rodriguez, the hitter for the New York Yankees.

13. What philanthropic foundation did Anne Wojcicki run with her husband?

Anne Wojcicki ran the Brin Wojcicki Foundation with her husband before stepping down from the role in 2017.

14. When did Anne Wojcicki join the Giving Pledge?

Anne Wojcicki joined the Giving Pledge in 2022.

15. Who was Anne Wojcicki’s grandfather, and what was his occupation?

Anne Wojcicki’s grandfather was Franciszek Wójcicki, a Polish politician who was a member of the Polish People’s Party and the People’s Party.

16. What is Anne Wojcicki’s vision regarding genetic lineage and ethnicity?

Anne Wojcicki believes that everyone, regardless of ethnicity or race, should be able to find their lineage.

17. Is Anne Wojcicki a billionaire?

In early 2021, after 23andMe went public, Anne Wojcicki became a near-billionaire on paper.

She was ranked #25 on Forbes’ “Self-Made Women List” in the same year.

18. Who is the father of Anne Wojcicki’s baby?

Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google, fathered Anne Wojcicki’s children. They have a son born in 2008 and a daughter born in late 2011.

19. How did Anne Wojcicki meet Sergey Brin?

Anne Wojcicki met Sergey Brin through her sister, Susan.

In 1998, Susan Wojcicki rented her garage in Menlo Park, California, to Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the co-founders of Google, for them to work on their young company.

20. Is 23andMe still banned?

No, 23andMe is not currently banned. In 2015, the company faced a temporary ban from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on selling its DNA analysis service.

However, according to The New York Times, the company was set to announce in late 2015 that it would once again provide health data to its customers, indicating that the ban had been lifted.