Sergey Brin is one of the most influential figures in modern technology, best known as the co-founder of Google. With a career that helped transform the internet, search engines, and artificial intelligence, Brin has left an indelible mark on the global digital landscape. As public curiosity about prominent tech leaders continues to grow, many people ask: Is Sergey Brin still alive and active in 2025?
The answer is yes. As of May 2025, Sergey Brin is alive, healthy, and actively engaged in both professional and philanthropic endeavors. While he stepped away from his executive roles at Google and Alphabet Inc. in 2019, Brin continues to play a meaningful part in shaping the future of technology, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence. He is also a leading figure in health-related philanthropy and neurological research.
Early Life and Background
Sergey Brin was born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, during the Soviet era. His family emigrated to the United States when he was six years old to escape anti-Semitic policies in the Soviet Union. He was raised in Maryland, where his father was a mathematics professor and his mother worked as a NASA scientist.
Brin excelled academically, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and computer science from the University of Maryland. He then enrolled in Stanford University for graduate studies in computer science, where he met Larry Page. Their collaboration on a research project about web link analysis led to the creation of a new kind of search engine—and eventually, the founding of Google.
The Birth of Google and Brin’s Role
In 1998, Brin and Page co-founded Google Inc., launching their search engine from a friend’s garage. Their technology offered significantly better search results than existing platforms, leading to rapid user growth. Under their leadership, Google expanded its services beyond search to include products like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, and Android.
Sergey Brin served as the company’s President of Technology and later as President of Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company created in 2015 to manage its diverse portfolio. In these roles, Brin guided some of the company’s most ambitious projects, including artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, and quantum computing. He was known for encouraging curiosity, innovation, and a willingness to tackle long-term, high-risk problems.
Stepping Away From Day-to-Day Operations
In December 2019, Sergey Brin and Larry Page announced they were stepping down from their executive roles at Alphabet. Sundar Pichai was named CEO of both Google and Alphabet. Brin retained his position on the board of directors and continued as a controlling shareholder, maintaining influence without a daily operational role.
At the time, Brin expressed a desire to shift his focus toward scientific research, philanthropy, and emerging technologies. This transition was not a retirement but rather a shift to more exploratory and behind-the-scenes involvement in projects he felt passionate about.
Return to AI Leadership and Google’s Gemini Project
Although he stepped back from formal leadership, Brin has recently returned to an active advisory role in Google’s AI development efforts. In 2025, he has been notably involved in the company’s Gemini AI initiative, a suite of advanced language and multimodal models aimed at competing with leading AI platforms.
Brin has reportedly advocated for increased collaboration, longer work weeks, and in-person attendance among AI teams. He believes that accelerating AI development is critical for Google’s competitive edge in the evolving artificial intelligence landscape. His push for a more aggressive approach reflects his longstanding commitment to ambitious innovation.
Health and Personal Well-Being
As of 2025, Sergey Brin remains in good health and continues to maintain a low public profile in his personal life. Unlike some public figures in the tech industry, Brin has always preferred to stay away from the spotlight when not working.
He is known for his athletic lifestyle and commitment to health. In past years, he publicly disclosed that he carries a genetic mutation that increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease, which runs in his family. This revelation has informed his philanthropic priorities and sparked greater awareness of genetic risk factors and neurodegenerative diseases.
Philanthropic Work and Medical Research
Brin is actively involved in philanthropy, particularly in the fields of neurology, genetics, and mental health research. He has contributed more than $1.5 billion to causes related to Parkinson’s disease, including funding for early detection and intervention efforts.
In 2025, Brin expanded his focus to include support for autism research and bipolar disorder, establishing and funding ARIA (Aligning Research to Impact Autism). His approach to philanthropy combines data-driven science with large-scale financial investment, aiming to advance both basic research and real-world solutions.
Through these efforts, Brin has become one of the most influential private funders in medical research, often partnering with universities, hospitals, and biotech companies.
Public Appearances and Cultural Engagement
Though he rarely grants interviews, Brin continues to make occasional public appearances. In March 2025, he was seen at the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party, mingling with high-profile figures from the entertainment and tech sectors.
His appearance drew attention not only for his status as a tech billionaire but also for his continued relevance in shaping the future of AI and his quiet leadership in humanitarian causes.
Brin remains a respected and admired figure in Silicon Valley and beyond, known for his analytical mind, sense of humor, and commitment to solving complex global challenges.
Personal Life and Family
Sergey Brin was previously married to entrepreneur and attorney Nicole Shanahan, with whom he shares a daughter. The couple divorced in 2022. Shanahan has since gained public attention for her own political and social initiatives, including a 2024 vice-presidential run alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Brin has largely stayed out of the political spotlight, focusing on science and technology rather than public policy. He lives in California and continues to invest in long-term scientific and technological solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sergey Brin alive in 2025?
Yes. As of May 2025, Sergey Brin is alive, healthy, and active in both technology and philanthropy.
What is Sergey Brin doing now?
He is advising Google on its AI projects, particularly the Gemini initiative, and funding neurological and mental health research through his philanthropic ventures.
Did Sergey Brin return to Google full-time?
No. He does not hold an executive role but remains on the board of Alphabet and plays an influential advisory role in AI development.
Is Sergey Brin involved in philanthropy?
Yes. He has donated over $1.5 billion to Parkinson’s, autism, and mental health research through his personal foundation and dedicated initiatives.
Has Sergey Brin made any recent public appearances?
Yes. In 2025, he attended the Vanity Fair Oscars after-party and has been seen at AI-related events and charity functions.
Conclusion
Sergey Brin is alive and well in 2025, continuing to impact the world through both his technological contributions and philanthropic initiatives. While he no longer holds an executive role at Google, he remains deeply involved in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
His journey from immigrant child to tech billionaire and scientific benefactor is a remarkable story of vision, persistence, and generosity. With active roles in advancing AI and funding critical health research, Brin’s influence shows no signs of waning. He remains a powerful force behind innovation, quietly steering major developments that will affect the lives of millions in the years ahead.