• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Social Media

‘Is Sergey Brin Batman?’ And other burning questions of our time

By
Anne VanderMey
Anne VanderMey
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Anne VanderMey
Anne VanderMey
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 13, 2013, 5:07 PM ET

At Fortune, we strive to bring you the business news you need to know. But are we bringing you the business news that you want to know? Judging from the most frequently searched queries about today's business leaders, maybe not. According to the results presented by the autofill mechanism on Google search, some of the most pressing questions lie beyond our magazine's typical purview. For example, "Is Richard Branson a virgin?" (no!) and "Will Bill Gates give me $5,000" (unlikely!), and, mysteriously, "Sergey Brin is Batman" (well, maybe...). To see the answers to the Internet's most persistent questions about top business executives, read on.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg

Q: "Can Mark Zuckerberg see everyone's Facebook?" A: Probably. Information shared with Facebook is likely viewable by Facebook's highest ranking executive. (Does he have the time or interest? Probably not.) Q: "Mark Zuckerberg is a CIA agent." A: No! (At least, we're pretty sure.) Despite what The Onion says, the popular social network is not a government surveillance apparatus, and its founder is not a "decorated agent codenamed The Overlord." Though we think that would look pretty snazzy on business cards. Q: "Why is Mark Zuckerberg a robber baron?" A: Despite a conspicuous lack of legendary facial hair, as is typically seen on the 19th century industrialists for whom this term is usually reserved, Zuckerberg's net worth is estimated to be an eye-popping $19 billion. (Whether you deem that to be from "plundering" and "swindling" is up to you.)

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson

Q: "Can Richard Branson read and write?" A: He surely can, though he suffers from dyslexia. Q: "Did Richard Branson really buy Pluto?" A: No, that was a 2011 April Fool's joke. Q: "Is Richard Branson a virgin?" A: We're typically not privvy to such things, but Branson has three biological children, so that's a resounding no.

Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein

Q: "What watch does Lloyd Blankfein wear?" A: He wears several types, though he seems to prefer synthetic sports bands. Q: "Lloyd Blankfein is doing God work" A: According to one of his (likely in jest) remarks from 2009, yes. Q: "Why is Lloyd Blankfein not in jail?" A: Because no charges were brought against the executive in the wake of the global financial crisis that began in 2008. Plus, he's got a pretty good attorney.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon

Q: "Jamie Dimon is Greek." A: Yes! His grandfather was an immigrant originally named Papademetriou. Q: "How tall is Jamie Dimon?" A: This was a startlingly common question for everyone on this list. U.S. president Barack Obama is just over six feet tall, so we'll put Dimon at about 5'11''. Q: "Why does Jamie Dimon still have a job?" A: We kindly suggest you ask his board of directors.

Tesla Motors CEO (and 2013 Fortune Businessperson of the Year) Elon Musk

Q: "Why did Elon Musk divorce Talulah Riley?" A: At the time, Musk said of his then-26-year-old wife, "We took some time apart for several months to see if absence makes the heart grow fonder, and unfortunately it did not." Q: "Is Elon Musk Tony Stark?" A: To answer this question, put that thing down, flip it and reverse it: the billionaire character at the center of the Iron Man movie series is actually inspired by Mr. Musk, not the other way around. Q: "Does Elon Musk sleep?" A: He does indeed, between six and six and a half hours a night. (That surprised us, too.)

Google co-founder Sergey Brin

Q: "Is Sergey Brin married?" A: Separated. In September, he split from his wife of six years. He is reportedly involved with another Google exec. Q: "What does Sergey Brin drive?" A: Taking a cue from Mr. Musk, Brin drives a Tesla Model S. Q: "Sergey Brin is Batman." A: He's a handsome, unattached billionaire who wears a lot of black and works in a secret lab designing gadgets to enhance human abilities. We'll let you be the judge.

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates

Q: "Does Bill Gates smoke weed?" A: It was once his drug of choice, according to a 1994 biography. Q: "Why does Bill Gates have a mugshot?" A: He was arrested in Albuquerque for driving Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen's car without a license. Q: "Bill Gates is the devil." A: Oh, now, come on.

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg

Q: "Is Sheryl Sandberg black?" A: We're going to go with "no" on that one. Q: "Does Sheryl Sandberg have children?" A: She has two children. (Hence her suggestion to professional women to Lean In.) Q: Is Sheryl Sandberg a Republican?" A: Highly unlikely. She has contributed to the campaigns of a number of Democrats, including some guy named Barack Obama.

Donald Trump, chairman and president, The Trump Organization

Q: "Is Donald Trump a millionaire or billionaire?" A: Billionaire, with a big ol' "B." Q: "What does Donald Trump eat?" A: Other business executives' lunch, he might say. In all seriousness, though: "All types [of food] -- pastas, steaks," he says. But no alcohol. Q: "Does Donald Trump wear a wig?" A: Negative -- that's his real hair.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer

Q: "Why does Steve Ballmer sweat so much?" A: As best as we can tell, he's just enthusiastic about his company. Q: "How does Steve Ballmer still have a job?" A: Because his board didn't fire him. However, he formally resigned earlier this year. Q: "Does Steve Ballmer do drugs?" A: No. Despite his occasionally erratic behavior, the outgoing Microsoft CEO has not been linked to any kind of drug use.

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos

Q: "Does Jeff Bezos have a glass eye?" A: Despite his well-known unflinching gaze, he does not. Q: "How does Jeff Bezos pronounce his name?" A: Say it with us now: "BAY-zohs." Q: "What is Jeff Bezos thinking?" A: If we knew that, we'd be rich.

About the Author
By Anne VanderMey
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

U.S. President Donald Trump waves to the media after walking off of Air Force One at Miami International Airport on April 11, 2026 in Miami, Florida.
PoliticsIran
Trump says the Iran war is ‘very close to over’—despite no deal, a live blockade, and threats mounting
By Eva RoytburgApril 15, 2026
2 hours ago
Dow COO Karen Carter wearing a white lab coat and sitting while smiling
NewslettersMPW Daily
What to know about Dow’s next CEO, the Fortune 500’s third Black female chief today who started at the $40 billion chemical maker as an intern
By Emma HinchliffeApril 15, 2026
3 hours ago
Boss has lunch with her workers outside
Successcompany culture
A $24 billion Dutch lender is cutting its workforce—and to get the remaining staff on board, the CEO is having sandwiches with them
By Emma BurleighApril 15, 2026
3 hours ago
Sal Khan
SuccessEducation
This CEO has teamed up with Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey to build an AI degree that could rival Harvard—and it will only cost $10,000 to attend
By Preston ForeApril 15, 2026
3 hours ago
Why insurance giant Travelers’ CTO is placing fewer, bigger bets on AI
NewslettersCIO Intelligence
Why insurance giant Travelers’ CTO is placing fewer, bigger bets on AI
By John KellApril 15, 2026
3 hours ago
horowitz
AIdisruption
a16z’s Ben Horowitz sees ‘AI anxiety’ consuming Silicon Valley founders. Workers’ fear of something else is killing adoption
By Nick LichtenbergApril 15, 2026
3 hours ago

Most Popular

Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated again—a week after gifting millions to a college, she's just given $70 million to Meals on Wheels America
Success
Billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated again—a week after gifting millions to a college, she's just given $70 million to Meals on Wheels America
By Fortune EditorsApril 13, 2026
2 days ago
Retirees are facing a $345,000 bill they never saw coming — and most aren't prepared
Commentary
Retirees are facing a $345,000 bill they never saw coming — and most aren't prepared
By Fortune EditorsApril 14, 2026
1 day ago
Palantir CEO says working at his $316 billion software company is better than a degree from Harvard or Yale: ‘No one cares about the other stuff’
Success
Palantir CEO says working at his $316 billion software company is better than a degree from Harvard or Yale: ‘No one cares about the other stuff’
By Fortune EditorsApril 14, 2026
1 day ago
Warren Buffett’s first tax return showed $7 owed to the IRS. The then paperboy and former Berkshire Hathaway CEO is now worth $143 billion
Success
Warren Buffett’s first tax return showed $7 owed to the IRS. The then paperboy and former Berkshire Hathaway CEO is now worth $143 billion
By Fortune EditorsApril 14, 2026
1 day ago
Anthropic is facing a wave of user backlash over reports of performance issues with its Claude AI chatbot
AI
Anthropic is facing a wave of user backlash over reports of performance issues with its Claude AI chatbot
By Fortune EditorsApril 14, 2026
1 day ago
He was coding at 12 like Elon Musk and became one of Google’s youngest-ever CMOs—but now says Gen Z is better off ice skating than learning to code
Success
He was coding at 12 like Elon Musk and became one of Google’s youngest-ever CMOs—but now says Gen Z is better off ice skating than learning to code
By Fortune EditorsApril 14, 2026
1 day ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.