2025-04-30T09:09:01Z

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When it comes to extravagant gifts for a spouse, one might conjure images of lavish jewelry or luxurious vacations. However, Mark Zuckerberg, the co-founder and CEO of Meta, took a rather unconventional approach by unveiling a towering silver and turquoise statue of his wife, Priscilla Chan. This grand gesture certainly caught the attention of the internet when it was revealed in August, but it seems that the reaction from Chan herself was not entirely enthusiastic.

During a candid conversation with comedian Theo Von on an episode of the podcast "This Past Weekend," Zuckerberg shared that his wife did not respond to the impressive sculpture with the joy he had anticipated. The 40-year-old billionaire remarked, "I don't think she was that happy with it." The implication that a 7-foot sculpture of oneself might not be the ideal gift reflects a broader theme in their relationshipZuckerberg and Chan are known for keeping things simple and down-to-earth, often shying away from ostentatious displays.

Despite his well-meaning intentions, Zuckerberg acknowledged that while Chan appreciated the creativity behind the statue, it ultimately missed the mark. He humorously noted, "She doesn't want a sculpture of her in the front lawn that's weird." This candid moment highlights the challenge that even billionaires face when trying to get it right with romantic gestures.

It is also worth noting that the statue was not commissioned for a specific occasion, such as Chan's birthday or their wedding anniversary. In an ironic twist, Zuckerberg joked about resurrecting the Roman tradition of creating sculptures of ones spouse, which he intended as a tribute to Chan. However, he quickly followed this up with a rhetorical question, asking, "Who wants a sculpture of themselves in the front yard?" This reflects a sense of humor about his own extravagant gift.

Interestingly, Zuckerberg's motivations for the sculpture extended beyond just tribute; he is an admirer of contemporary artist Daniel Arsham, with whom he collaborated on the project. Chan, who met Zuckerberg during their college years, served as the muse for this artistic endeavor. He explained, "She's kind of the target of my creative energy," indicating that his inspiration for art often draws from his personal life, especially his relationship with Chan.

In another display of his affection, Zuckerberg shared in October that he had gifted Chan a customized Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT, an effort he referred to as a 'side quest.' This came about after Chan expressed a desire for a minivan, a request that Zuckerberg humorously acknowledged while relaying that he prefers to work on cars over designing a 'supercar' for himself. His actions seem to underscore a willingness to put his family's needs ahead of his own personal preferences.

The initial post showcasing the sculpture ignited a flurry of online discussions and memes. Many netizens speculated about the potential reasons behind this extravagant tribute, with some humorously suggesting that it might serve as a public apology for a yet-to-be-revealed transgression. However, Zuckerberg set the record straight, asserting that the sculpture itself was the misstep. "You're going to have to wait and see what I have to do to make up for having made a sculpture and putting it in our front lawn," he quipped, leaving listeners curious about the future of his relationship gestures.