Sheryl Sandberg (pictured) is one of the most prominent women in Silicon Valley
Facebook veteran Sheryl Sandberg has sparked speculation she may move into politics after quitting the board of parent company Meta.
One of the most prominent women in Silicon Valley, the Democrat, 54, has long been rumoured to be interested in a tilt at the White House. Sandberg, who stepped down as Meta’s chief operating officer in 2022, will leave the board after 12 years in May but continue as an adviser. She joined in 2008 and rose to become Mark Zuckerberg’s second-in-command.
Speculation that she may move into politics began when she stepped down as chief operating officer, and has been reignited by her latest move.
She is said to have been considered a candidate for Treasury Secretary if Hillary Clinton had won the presidency in 2016 – and was reportedly in the running to be Michael Bloomberg’s vice-presidential candidate had he won the Democrat nomination. She was previously chief of staff at the US Treasury when Bill Clinton was president.
Hargreaves Lansdown head of markets Susannah Streeter said: ‘She has acquired a tough veneer to cope with the Washington machines and the scrutiny it would entail. Her net worth, estimated to be around £1.5billion, would provide a considerable financial launchpad.’
She positioned herself as a role model for women in business with her corporate feminist book ‘Lean In’ and was a staunch defender of the social media platform amid its controversies.
She said: ‘Meta is strong and well-positioned for the future, so this feels like the right time to step away.’
