Newlyweds. Sheryl Sandberg and Tom BernthalPhoto: Instagram
Sheryl Sandberg (52), who until very recently was Mark’s right hand Zuckerberg on “Facebook” (sorry, “meta”), married her partner of the past three years, the CEO and former founder of the consulting firm Kelton Global, Tom Bernthal (50). The two tied the knot and got married last weekend in front of family and close friends in Wyoming.
“Married,” Sandberg wrote next to a photo of the two dressed as bride and groom, and added heart emojis, while Bernthal decided to expand a little further with the words: “After the loss we both experienced, Sheryl and I weren’t sure we’d ever find love again. Over the past three years We merged our lives and our families. Our wedding today is a dream come true.”
Before we continue, let’s stop for a moment for a refresher: Sandberg married her first husband Dave Goodlbergthe CEO of SurveyMonkey, in 2004 and the two gave birth to two children together. On May 1, 2015, during a family vacation in Mexico, Goldberg died suddenly when he was only 47 years old. It was first reported that Goldberg died from a head injury after falling from a treadmill, but later Sandberg said that her husband Died of a heart rhythm disorder.Berenthal has three children from his first marriage.
The families of Sandberg and Bernthal, and their children in particular, were an important and integral part of the marriage ceremony. “We keep saying this is the wedding of the seven of us,” said Bernthal, referring to him, his new wife, her two children and his three children. “We’re all getting married,” Sandberg reinforced his words, joking that they bought 7 wedding rings.
Cheryl and Tom began their romantic journey in 2019 and those who knew them were Rob Goldberg, the brother of Sandberg’s late husband. “I knew that Tom was looking for someone to build a life with after he got divorced,” Rob said in a past interview with People magazine. “They both came out of difficult times in their lives and were still motivated to improve their lives and the lives of their children.”
Win each otherPhoto: Gettyimage
Sandberg, who served as the VP of operations for Facebook (meta), wrote Bernthal a love letter published by Good Housekeeping in 2021, in which she wrote: “I could hardly imagine myself going out on dates again, so certainly not getting married. But Rob, the late Dave’s brother, had a different idea. He just knew I had to meet you. When I shook your hand for the first time I had no idea that you would be the one to change my life. Together we found a new way forward, one that is filled with so much gratitude and optimism.”
Instead of wedding gifts, the newlyweds asked the guests to donate to the VOW and CARE associations that work against child marriage and also to reduce poverty. “We choose to get married, while thousands around the world are still forced to marry as children. We contribute ourselves but also invite you, our guests, to celebrate with us and try to put an end to child marriage.” As of this writing, Cheryl and Tom have raised $1 million for VOW and $10 million for CARE.
And they lived happily and richlyPhoto: Gettyimage
Let’s recall that last June and after 14 years together, Sandberg, who was Mark Zuckerberg’s deputy, announced that she was leaving Facebook. “When I took the job in 2008, I hoped it would be a five-year position. 14 years later, it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter in my life. I’m still not sure what the future holds for me…but I know it includes focusing more on the foundation and my philanthropic work, which is more important to me than ever, especially given the importance of the current era for women,” Sandberg wrote. According to gossip sites abroad, Zuckerberg was not present at the wedding.
No more POKE while working. Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl SandbergPhoto: GettyImages