> Full Name: Melanie Perkins
> Date of Birth: May 13, 1987
> Age: 38 years old (as of 2026)
> Birthplace: Perth, Western Australia, Australia
> Nationality: Australian
> Ethnicity: Mixed (Australian, Malaysian, Filipino, Sri Lankan)
> Occupation: Tech Entrepreneur, CEO & Co-Founder of Canva
> Height: 5 feet 6 inches (167 cm)
> Husband: Cliff Obrecht (married 2021)
> Net Worth: Approximately $6 billion USD (2026 estimate)
Who Is Melanie Perkins?
If you’ve ever used Canva to design a birthday card, a business presentation, or a social media post — you’ve already been touched by Melanie Perkins’ vision. She’s the co-founder and CEO of one of the world’s most beloved design platforms, a billionaire before 35, and arguably one of the most quietly inspiring entrepreneurs of the 21st century.
But here’s the thing about Melanie: she didn’t come from Silicon Valley. She didn’t have a rich uncle funding her dreams. She grew up in Perth, Australia — a city far from the world’s tech hubs — and built her empire largely on stubbornness, belief, and an embarrassing number of rejections.
This is her full story.
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Early Life and Family Background
Melanie Perkins was born on May 13, 1987, in Perth, Western Australia. She grew up in a household that was as diverse as her ambitions. Her mother is an Australian-born teacher, and her father is a Malaysian engineer with Filipino and Sri Lankan heritage. That blend of cultures gave Melanie a unique, global perspective that would eventually shape Canva’s mission to make design accessible to everyone — everywhere.
She has a younger brother named Greg, who would later play a small but symbolic role in her entrepreneurial journey (she once slept on his living room floor in San Francisco while pitching to investors).
Growing up, Perkins was a driven kid in the best possible sense. She attended Sacred Heart College in Sorrento, a northern suburb of Perth, where she was known for her focus and determination. As a teenager, she trained seriously in figure skating and dreamed of becoming a professional skater. She also had an early entrepreneurial spark — at just 14 years old, she started selling handmade scarves at shops and markets around Perth. It wasn’t about the money; it was the feeling of freedom that came with building something of her own.
That feeling never left her.
Education: How University Sparked Her Billion-Dollar Idea
After high school, Melanie enrolled at the University of Western Australia, where she majored in communications, psychology, and commerce. To make extra money, she tutored fellow students in graphic design software — and that’s where the lightbulb moment happened.
She noticed something painfully obvious that most people had accepted as normal: tools like Adobe Photoshop and InDesign were incredibly difficult to learn. It took students more than a full semester just to understand the basics. Why, she thought, couldn’t design be simple?
That question became an obsession. And it led her to drop out of university at the age of 19 — not because she was failing, but because she had a bigger classroom waiting.
From Fusion Books to Canva: The Long Road to Success
Before Canva, there was Fusion Books.
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In 2007, Melanie and her then-boyfriend (now husband) Cliff Obrecht co-founded Fusion Books — an online platform that allowed schools to design and publish their own yearbooks using a simple drag-and-drop interface. They ran the entire operation out of Perkins’ mother’s living room, with a large printer humming in the corner.
It sounds humble. But it worked. Fusion Books grew to become the largest yearbook company in Australia, eventually expanding into New Zealand and France. More importantly, it taught Melanie everything she needed to know about building a tech product, managing a team, and selling a vision.
The success of Fusion Books confirmed something Melanie had suspected: people desperately wanted a simpler way to create beautiful things. She just needed to think bigger.
The Idea for Canva
By the early 2010s, Perkins and Obrecht began pitching a broader design platform — one that could serve not just schools, but anyone who needed to create something visually compelling. The idea was radical in its simplicity: what if design was as easy as filling in a template?
Getting investors to believe in that vision, however, was anything but easy.
The Rejection Years: 100+ “No’s” Before a Single “Yes”
Melanie Perkins’ story is not just one of success — it’s one of spectacular persistence in the face of rejection.
She pitched to over 100 investors in Perth and was turned down every single time. Investors were skeptical: the founders had no coding background, they were a couple (which some saw as a risk), and they were based in Australia, far from the traditional startup ecosystem.
Undeterred, Perkins began flying to San Francisco, where she slept on her brother Greg’s living room floor to save money. She attended every startup event, every networking session, every meeting she could get. She was rejected again and again — by investors, by tech talent, and even once by Lars Rasmussen, the co-founder of Google Maps, the first time she approached him.
But then came Bill Tai, a prominent venture capitalist and kite-surfing enthusiast, whom she met in Perth. Tai loved kite surfing so much that he hosted annual kite-surfing retreats in Maui, Hawaii, where Silicon Valley’s best and brightest mingled. Melanie, who had never kite-surfed in her life, took up the sport specifically to network with Tai and his contacts.
Through Tai’s network, Perkins eventually got an introduction to Lars Rasmussen, who — on the second try — became a technical adviser for the project. Rasmussen then introduced the team to Cameron Adams, a designer and engineer who had worked at Google. Adams became Canva’s third co-founder and Chief Product Officer.
With the team now complete, funding slowly started to come in.
Canva: Building the World’s Design Platform
Canva officially launched on January 1, 2013. In its first year alone, the platform attracted more than 750,000 users — a stunning start that proved the demand was real.
The concept was simple and powerful: a browser-based design tool with hundreds of templates for social media posts, presentations, business cards, posters, invitations, and more. No technical skills required. No expensive software needed. Just open your browser and create.
Over the years, Canva evolved rapidly, adding photo editing, video tools, AI-powered design features, and even a document creation suite. The platform became a staple for small business owners, marketers, teachers, students, non-profits, and Fortune 500 companies alike.
Key Milestones
– 2007 — Fusion Books founded with Cliff Obrecht
– 2012 — Cameron Adams joins; Canva officially enters development
– 2013 — Canva launches publicly; 750,000+ users in year one
– 2018 — Canva reaches a $1 billion valuation (unicorn status); Melanie becomes one of the youngest female CEOs of a billion-dollar startup
– 2019 — Cliff proposes to Melanie in Turkey with a $30 ring
– 2021 — Canva raises funds at a $40 billion valuation, making it one of the most valuable startups in the world
– 2021 — Melanie and Cliff marry on Rottnest Island, Australia
– 2021 — The couple joins the Giving Pledge, committing to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropy
– 2022 — The couple welcomes their son, Forest
– 2023 — Melanie is named to Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women list; Canva surpasses 150 million monthly active users
– 2026 — Canva continues to expand globally with AI-driven design tools and enterprise solutions
Melanie Perkins’ Net Worth in 2026
Melanie Perkins is, without question, one of the wealthiest women in Australia and among the richest self-made female entrepreneurs in the world.
Her net worth as of 2026 is estimated at approximately $6 billion USD, though figures vary depending on Canva’s current private valuation. At its peak in 2021, Canva was valued at $40 billion, giving Perkins — who owns roughly 18% of the company — a paper fortune that exceeded $7 billion. The valuation dipped somewhat in 2022–2023 due to broader market corrections in the tech sector, but Canva has remained profitable and continues to grow.
Her husband Cliff Obrecht holds a comparable stake in Canva, giving the couple a combined net worth estimated between $10–16 billion AUD, depending on the valuation at the time of calculation.
What makes Melanie’s story even more striking is how little her personal spending reflects her wealth. Cliff proposed to her with a $30 ring he bought in Turkey, and the couple is known for their remarkably grounded lifestyle.
Husband: Cliff Obrecht — Her Business Partner and Life Partner
Melanie Perkins’ love story with Cliff Obrecht is one for the books — literally and figuratively.
The two met as students at the University of Western Australia, where their shared passion for design and technology sparked both a business partnership and a romance. Together, they founded Fusion Books while still in their early twenties, working side by side through the years of uncertainty, rejection, and eventual triumph.
In 2019, while on holiday in Turkey, Cliff dropped to one knee and proposed with a modest $30 ring he had picked out from a local market. Melanie said yes. The story became widely shared as a symbol of the couple’s genuine values — that love, not luxury, was what mattered most.
On January 2021, they tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony on Rottnest Island, a picturesque island off the coast of Perth, Western Australia. It was intimate, meaningful, and very much them.
At Canva, the couple’s roles are distinct but complementary. Melanie serves as CEO, driving the company’s vision, product direction, and culture. Cliff serves as Chief Operating Officer (COO), managing internal operations and ensuring the company runs efficiently. Their ability to separate work and personal life — while also being deeply intertwined in both — has been cited as one of the company’s quiet strengths.
Kids: Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht’s Family Life
Melanie and Cliff welcomed their son, Forest, in 2022. The couple largely keeps their family life private, which is remarkable given their public profiles. Forest’s birth was confirmed in subsequent interviews and social media, but the couple has chosen to shield him from the media spotlight as much as possible.
While they are deeply committed to building Canva into a generational company, they are equally committed to building a family with strong values — values that are reflected in their extraordinary philanthropic commitments.
Philanthropy: Giving It All Away
Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Melanie Perkins — even more remarkable than building a multi-billion-dollar company — is what she plans to do with the money.
In 2021, Melanie and Cliff joined The Giving Pledge, the initiative founded by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett in which the world’s wealthiest individuals commit to donating the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes. Perkins and Obrecht committed to donating at least 80% of their Canva shares to the Canva Foundation, the company’s charitable arm.
The Canva Foundation focuses on creating real-world impact through education, economic empowerment, and social equity. For Melanie, this isn’t performative philanthropy — it’s built into the DNA of the company itself.
“Creating a company that’s truly valuable means creating value for everyone,” she has said in various interviews. It’s a philosophy she lives and breathes.
Awards and Recognition
Melanie Perkins has collected more than a few accolades along the way:
– Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women (2023)
– Fortune’s Most Powerful Women — #92 (2023)
– Australian Financial Review Rich List — consistently ranked among Australia’s wealthiest
– One of the youngest female CEOs of a unicorn startup valued above $1 billion
– Time Magazine Most Influential People (multiple nominations)
– Widely cited as one of the most admired entrepreneurs in the Asia-Pacific region
Personal Interests: Life Beyond Canva
For all her business achievements, Melanie Perkins is refreshingly human. Here’s a peek at the person behind the CEO:
Kite Surfing — She took up kite surfing specifically to network with investor Bill Tai, who was passionate about the sport. What started as a strategic decision became a genuine passion.
Travel — Perkins has spoken about how a trip to India was life-changing, opening her eyes to the diversity of human experience and reinforcing her belief in making design accessible globally.
Figure Skating — Her first love as a teenager, skating gave her discipline, persistence, and a comfort with falling down and getting back up — skills she would need more than she ever imagined.
Reading and Learning — Perkins is known within Canva’s culture as a relentless learner who holds herself to extraordinarily high standards. She has openly said she is “very hard on herself” and maintains higher expectations for her performance than anyone else could.
How to Connect With Melanie Perkins
Melanie Perkins is not the kind of tech billionaire who floods social media with personal updates, but she does maintain a presence and is reachable through professional channels:
– Twitter / X: [@MelanieCanva] — She occasionally shares updates about Canva, design, and entrepreneurship
– LinkedIn: [Melanie Perkins on LinkedIn] — Professional updates and speaking engagements
– Instagram: [@melaniecanva] — Occasional glimpses into Canva culture and personal moments
– Canva Blog: Melanie regularly contributes to the [Canva Newsroom] where she shares company updates
– Speaking Engagements: Melanie speaks at major tech and entrepreneurship events. You can reach out to Canva’s PR and communications team via [canva.com/contact] to inquire about speaking invitations
– Canva for Good / Foundation Inquiries: For philanthropic or nonprofit partnership inquiries related to the Canva Foundation, use the official Canva website contact form
> Note: Melanie Perkins does not have a publicly listed personal email address. The best way to reach her for professional purposes is through LinkedIn or via Canva’s official communications channels.
Quick Facts Summary
| Detail | Info |
|—|—|
| Full Name | Melanie Perkins |
| Date of Birth | May 13, 1987 |
| Age (2026) | 38 years old |
| Birthplace | Perth, Western Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Ethnicity | Mixed (Australian, Malaysian, Filipino, Sri Lankan) |
| Height | 5’6″ (167 cm) |
| Education | University of Western Australia (dropped out at 19) |
| Husband | Cliff Obrecht (married January 2021) |
| Children | Son — Forest (born 2022) |
| Net Worth | ~$6 billion USD |
| Company | Canva (Co-Founder & CEO) |
| Previous Venture | Fusion Books (2007) |
| Philanthropy | The Giving Pledge — 80% of wealth to charity |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How old is Melanie Perkins?
A: Melanie Perkins was born on May 13, 1987. As of 2026, she is 38 years old.
Q: Who is Melanie Perkins married to?
A: She is married to Cliff Obrecht, her long-time partner, business co-founder, and Canva’s Chief Operating Officer. They got engaged in Turkey in 2019 and married in January 2021 on Rottnest Island, Australia.
Q: How much is Melanie Perkins worth?
A: Melanie Perkins has an estimated net worth of around $6 billion USD as of 2026. Her wealth is primarily tied to her approximate 18% stake in Canva. At Canva’s peak valuation of $40 billion in 2021, her personal fortune exceeded $7 billion.
Q: Does Melanie Perkins have children?
A: Yes. Melanie and Cliff Obrecht welcomed their son, Forest, in 2022.
Q: How did Melanie Perkins start Canva?
A: Melanie noticed while tutoring university students that design software was unnecessarily complex. This sparked the idea for a simpler, browser-based design platform. She dropped out of university at 19, first built Fusion Books (a school yearbook design tool) in 2007, and then co-founded Canva with Cliff Obrecht and Cameron Adams, which launched publicly in 2013.
Q: How many times was Canva rejected by investors?
A: Perkins and her team were rejected by over 100 investors before securing meaningful funding. The breakthrough came through connections made in Silicon Valley, particularly via investor Bill Tai and tech figure Lars Rasmussen.
Q: Is Melanie Perkins a billionaire?
A: Yes. Melanie Perkins is one of the wealthiest women in Australia and one of the richest self-made female entrepreneurs in the world, with a net worth estimated at around $6 billion USD.
Q: What is Canva’s current valuation?
A: Canva peaked at a $40 billion valuation in 2021. The valuation has fluctuated in the years since due to tech market corrections, but Canva remains one of the most valuable private tech companies in the Asia-Pacific region, with a current valuation of approximately $26 billion as of recent reports.
Q: What is The Giving Pledge and why did Melanie Perkins sign it?
A: The Giving Pledge is a commitment initiated by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett for the world’s wealthiest to donate the majority of their fortune to philanthropic causes. Melanie and Cliff signed it in 2021, pledging to donate at least 80% of their Canva shares to the Canva Foundation, which supports education and social equity globally.
Q: Where did Melanie Perkins grow up?
A: She grew up in Perth, Western Australia, and attended Sacred Heart College in the suburb of Sorrento.
Q: What is Melanie Perkins’ engagement ring story?
A: In 2019, Cliff Obrecht proposed to Melanie in Turkey with a $30 ring he bought from a local market. Despite the couple’s billionaire status, Melanie has never replaced the ring, saying the gesture and the meaning behind it are what matter.
Q: How can I contact Melanie Perkins?
A: The best channels are through her LinkedIn profile, her Twitter/X (@MelanieCanva), or via Canva’s official contact and PR team at canva.com. She does not have a publicly listed personal email address.
Final Thoughts: What Melanie Perkins Teaches Us
Melanie Perkins didn’t win the startup lottery. She didn’t stumble into success. She built it — brick by painstaking brick — through years of rejection, sacrifice, and an unshakeable belief that the world needed something she could provide.
She’s a billionaire who wears humility like a second skin, a CEO who still holds herself to standards no investor could demand of her, and a visionary who believes her company’s ultimate purpose is not to make money, but to make design accessible to every human being on the planet.
At a time when the tech industry is often associated with ego, excess, and disconnection, Melanie Perkins stands out not because she’s the richest, but because she’s still asking the same question she asked as a 19-year-old tutor in Perth:
How do we make this simpler for everyone?
That question built a $40 billion company. And it’s still not done building.
