OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reveals birth of his first child via surrogacy

"Welcome to the world, little guy!" Altman wrote on X on Feb. 22, sharing a close-up photo of the newborn’s hand grasping an adult’s finger.

He added that the baby was born prematurely and required special care: "He came early and is going to be in the NICU for a while."

"He is doing well, and it's really nice to be in a little bubble taking care of him. I have never felt such love."

The baby was born through surrogacy, Mundo Deportivo reported.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman (L) and Oliver Mulherin in their wedding in 2024. Photo from X

Altman has not indicated whether he plans to take paternity leave. His son's birth comes as OpenAI shifts from a nonprofit to a for-profit model, a transition that has drawn legal challenges from competitor Elon Musk, as reported by Business Insider.

The birth announcement quickly made waves in the tech world. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella congratulated Altman in a response on X, writing: "My heartfelt congratulations, @sama! Parenthood is one of life's most profound and rewarding experiences. Wishing you and your family the very best."

Altman and Mulherin married in January 2024 in an intimate ceremony. The couple, who reside in San Francisco, have largely kept their relationship private, making one of their first public appearances together in 2023 at a White House dinner.

A prominent figure in the tech industry, Altman co-founded OpenAI with Musk and others. He gained widespread recognition after the 2022 launch of ChatGPT. Backed by Microsoft, OpenAI was valued at $157 billion in October 2024 after raising $6.6 billion from investors, according to Reuters.

Forbes estimates Altman’s net worth at approximately $1.1 billion.