In a dazzling display of wealth, creativity, and cosmic ambition, Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, transformed their Palo Alto estate into a galactic wonderland for their daughter Maxima’s tenth birthday, pulling out all the stops to create an unforgettable space-themed extravaganza. The highlight of the evening? A surprise appearance by former NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, whose tales of orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station left the young guests starstruck. With a $250 billion fortune at their disposal, the Zuckerberg family spared no expense, blending high-tech wizardry, Hollywood-worthy theatrics, and heartfelt family moments to craft a celebration that had social media buzzing and Silicon Valley whispering. The event, captured in vibrant Instagram posts and X threads, wasn’t just a party—it was a bold statement about the power of imagination, privilege, and the Zuckerberg family’s knack for turning dreams into reality.

The party took place on a balmy September evening in 2025, under a sprawling canopy in the backyard of their $7 million Palo Alto mansion—a property known for its understated charm but now reimagined as a futuristic space station. The couple, parents to Maxima, August, and Aurelia, chose the theme to honor Max’s obsession with astronomy, sparked by a family trip to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center earlier this year. The backyard was transformed into a cosmic playground, complete with a life-sized replica of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, glowing planetarium domes, and a “mission control” station where kids could “launch” their own cardboard shuttles. A massive LED screen projected a live feed of the Milky Way, while glow-in-the-dark stars and nebulae-themed balloons floated overhead, creating an otherworldly ambiance that felt straight out of a sci-fi blockbuster.

The guest list was as exclusive as it was eclectic, with 50 of Max’s closest friends joined by tech luminaries, their children, and a smattering of Bay Area elite. Guests arrived dressed in custom NASA-inspired jumpsuits, designed by a San Francisco couturier, with each child receiving a personalized astronaut helmet emblazoned with their initials. The Zuckerberg girls—Max, August, and little Aurelia—stole the show in matching silver spacesuits, with Max proudly sporting a badge that read “Mission Commander.” Zuckerberg, ever the doting dad, wore a T-shirt with a cartoon rocket and the words “Max’s Dad,” while Chan, radiant in a starry gown, orchestrated the event with the precision of a SpaceX launch director. “Max loves the stars, so we wanted to bring the universe to her,” Chan wrote on Instagram, where a video of the family dancing under a laser-lit “meteor shower” racked up millions of views.

The party’s pièce de résistance was the appearance of Megan McArthur, a veteran astronaut who flew on NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis and spent six months aboard the International Space Station in 2021. McArthur, now a private consultant, captivated the children with stories of floating in zero gravity, eating freeze-dried ice cream, and watching Earth’s curvature from 250 miles above. She led an interactive “astronaut training” session, teaching the kids how to simulate a spacewalk using VR headsets programmed by Meta’s Reality Labs. “It’s rare to see kids this excited about science,” McArthur later posted on X. “The Zuckerbergs made it feel like we were all on a mission to Mars!” Her presence added an authentic touch, grounding the lavish spectacle in real-world wonder and inspiring a new generation of space enthusiasts.

No detail was overlooked in the party’s execution. The catering, handled by a Michelin-starred San Francisco chef, featured a “galactic” menu: “meteor” meatballs, “Milky Way” macarons, and a showstopping cake shaped like a rotating Saturn, complete with edible rings made of spun sugar. Freeze-dried astronaut ice cream, a nod to McArthur’s stories, was a hit with the kids, who squealed as they tasted the same treats eaten in orbit. A “moon rock” treasure hunt sent guests scurrying across the lawn to find candy-filled spheres wrapped in silver foil, while a DJ spun space-themed remixes of pop hits, from David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” to Billie Eilish’s latest single. For party favors, each child received a custom telescope engraved with “Max’s 10th: Reach for the Stars,” a gift that reportedly cost $500 per unit.

The event’s high-tech flourishes reflected Zuckerberg’s Meta empire. A fleet of drones, programmed to mimic shooting stars, lit up the night sky, while augmented-reality filters let guests snap selfies with virtual aliens and planets. Meta’s Horizon Workrooms platform powered a virtual “space camp” where kids could explore a digital replica of the ISS alongside McArthur’s avatar. Zuckerberg, who has poured billions into the metaverse, couldn’t resist showcasing his tech. “This is what the future looks like,” he told guests during a brief toast, gesturing to the AR-enhanced party. “Max is growing up in a world where imagination and technology can make anything possible.” The seamless blend of physical and digital elements left attendees in awe, with one parent posting on X, “This wasn’t a birthday party—it was a NASA mission with better snacks.”

Yet, the extravagance didn’t escape criticism. Social media, particularly X and Reddit, lit up with debates about the party’s cost, estimated at over $1 million. “While kids go hungry, Zuck’s throwing a space bash for his daughter,” one X user wrote, echoing sentiments from progressive voices who’ve long criticized the billionaire’s wealth. Others pointed to Meta’s recent layoffs and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s controversial decision to shutter a local school, accusing the couple of flaunting privilege. “A NASA astronaut is cool, but this feels like cosplaying as Elon Musk,” a Reddit thread quipped, referencing Musk’s own space ventures. Defenders, however, argued the party was a heartfelt gift for Max. “He’s a dad celebrating his kid—let him live,” one supporter posted. “Not every billionaire’s party has an astronaut teaching science.”

Despite the backlash, the human moments shone through. Instagram clips showed Zuckerberg helping Aurelia decorate a cupcake, his face lit with a rare, unguarded smile, while Chan guided Max through a “rocket launch” simulation, cheering as her daughter pressed the button. The couple’s commitment to their daughters—Max, August, and Aurelia—has been a constant in their public narrative. Since Max’s birth in 2015, Zuckerberg and Chan have shared glimpses of their family life, from baking challah to reading bedtime stories in Mandarin, emphasizing values over wealth. The party, while extravagant, reflected their desire to nurture Max’s curiosity. “She wants to be an astronaut or a scientist,” Chan told a guest, according to a leaked conversation on X. “We’re just fueling her dreams.”

McArthur’s involvement added a layer of authenticity that elevated the event beyond mere spectacle. A mother herself, she connected with the Zuckerbergs over their shared passion for inspiring kids. During her talk, she gifted Max a signed photo of Earth taken from the ISS, a gesture that left the birthday girl teary-eyed. “This is the best day of my life,” Max reportedly said, clutching the photo. McArthur also led a Q&A, fielding questions from “How do you sleep in space?” to “Have you seen aliens?” Her down-to-earth demeanor—she wore a simple NASA polo instead of a spacesuit—won over parents and kids alike, reinforcing the party’s educational bent.

As the night wound down, a fireworks display shaped like constellations lit up the sky, set to Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar soundtrack. Guests left with memories of a lifetime, while social media buzzed with hashtags like #MaxsSpaceParty and #ZuckerbergGalaxy. The event underscored the couple’s ability to blend their immense wealth with personal touches, creating a celebration that was both a flex of power and a love letter to their daughter. Critics may scoff at the excess, but for one night, the Zuckerbergs turned their backyard into a universe where Max was the brightest star. As one X user put it, “Say what you want about Zuck, but he knows how to throw a party that’s out of this world.”