| Sebastian Siemiatkowski — Biography & Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sebastian Marcin Siemiatkowski |
| Date of Birth | 3 October 1981 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 44 years |
| Place of Birth | Sweden |
| Nationality | Swedish |
| Ethnicity / Descent | Polish descent (second-generation immigrant) |
| Education | High School: Katedralskolan, Uppsala; Master’s in Economics & Business, Stockholm School of Economics |
| Occupation | Co-founder & CEO of Klarna |
| Known For | Buy-Now-Pay-Later fintech model; outspoken on AI & workforce disruption |
| Spouse | Nina Siemiatkowski (married 2014) |
| Children | 3 |
| Net Worth (recent estimate) | Approx. $462 million (after valuation changes) |
| Recent Change in Workforce | Klarna reduced employees from 7,400 to 3,000 amid AI automation and cost cuts |
| Recent Growth | 38% YoY revenue growth in the U.S.; company market cap just over $15 billion after going public |
| Controversies / Critique | Customer complaints over reduced human support; concerns about over-reliance on AI, quality of support, and workforce displacement warnings |
| Residence | Stockholm, Sweden |
Sebastian Marcin Siemiatkowski (born October 3, 1981) is a Swedish entrepreneur best known as co-founder and CEO of Klarna, the fintech firm leading the “buy now, pay later” (BNPL) space.
Early Life, Education & Family
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski was born in Sweden in 1981 to Polish immigrant parents who moved to Uppsala in the early 1980s.
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski education includes attending Katedralskolan, Uppsala for high school and later Stockholm School of Economics, where he earned a Master of Science degree.
- Personal background: Sebastian Siemiatkowski father studied toward a doctorate but later worked various jobs (including as a cab driver) during periods of unemployment; his mother was also academically trained but retired early due to health issues.
Career & Klarna
- In 2005, at age 23-24, Sebastian Siemiatkowski founded Klarna with Niklas Adalberth and Victor Jacobsson. Klarna offers buy now, pay later services, letting users defer payments or split them into instalments.
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski became CEO of Klarna Bank AB (and its parent companies) around 2010.
- Under his leadership, Klarna has pushed aggressively into AI and automation. According to recent reports, Klarna reduced its workforce from 7,400 to 3,000 as part of cost-cutting and AI deployment. They also rolled out AI-powered services (e.g. AI chatbot replacing many customer service roles) and even “AI CEO Hotline.”
Personal Life & Net Worth
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski is married to Nina Siemiatkowski. The couple met at Stockholm School of Economics. They have three children and live in Stockholm, Sweden.
- Ethnicity: Swedish of Polish descent; Sebastian Siemiatkowski is considered a second-generation immigrant.
- Net worth has fluctuated with Klarna’s valuation. Earlier estimates put him among billionaires when Klarna’s valuation was high; more recent estimates suggest that his net worth dropped (several sources report $462 million in some recent analyses) as Klarna’s valuation and market conditions shifted.
Recent News, Controversy & Comments
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski has openly warned that many CEOs are downplaying how disruptive AI might be, especially in knowledge work. He argues that jobs considered secure (e.g. translators) are already being affected.
- Klarna has seen both strong growth in some markets - revenue growth, rising profits and backlash from customers when human customer service was cut back due to AI automation. Some customers complained about lower support quality.
- The company’s market capitalization is reported at just over $15 billion after going public in September.
FAQs
What is Sebastian Siemiatkowski known for?
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski is known for revolutionizing the fintech industry with Klarna’s “buy now, pay later” model, which changed how consumers shop and pay online.
When was Sebastian Siemiatkowski born?
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski was born on October 21, 1981, in Uppsala, Sweden.
What is Sebastian Siemiatkowski’s nationality?
Sebastian Siemiatkowski is Swedish.
What company did Sebastian Siemiatkowski found?
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski co-founded Klarna in 2005 along with Niklas Adalberth and Victor Jacobsson while studying at the Stockholm School of Economics.
What is Klarna?
- Klarna is a Swedish fintech company that offers payment solutions for online shoppers, including installment payments, direct payments, and post-purchase financing.
What is Sebastian Siemiatkowski’s net worth?
- As of 2025, Sebastian Siemiatkowski estimated net worth is around $1.2 billion, primarily from his stake in Klarna.
Where does Sebastian Siemiatkowski live?
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski currently resides in Stockholm, Sweden, with his family.
What is Sebastian Siemiatkowski’s educational background?
- Sebastian Siemiatkowski studied Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics before founding Klarna.
Is Sebastian Siemiatkowski active on social media?
- Yes, Sebastian Siemiatkowski is active on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter, where he shares insights on fintech, leadership, and innovation.
About the Author
Praise Graciebby is a content creator on The StarProfile, where she writes celebrity biographies, sports updates, gossip, and trending news. With a passion for entertainment and lifestyle journalism, Praise provides readers with simple, accurate, and up-to-date profiles of public figures worldwide.
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