Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and wife Priscilla announce birth of daughter

Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla Chan have announced the arrival of a baby daughter and pledged to donate 99% of their Facebook shares - around $45bn - to an foundation they've set up to support children all over the world.

The Facebook CEO took to the social networking site to say the couple wrote a letter to their daughter, Max, about the world they hope she grows up in.

In the 2,234 word note, they say their hopes for the next generation is based on two ideas: advancing human potential and promoting equality.

Like all parents, we want you to grow up in a world better than ours today. While headlines often focus on what's wrong, in many ways the world is getting better.

Health is improving. Poverty is shrinking. Knowledge is growing. People are connecting. Technological progress in every field means your life should be dramatically better than ours today.

We will do our part to make this happen, not only because we love you, but also because we have a moral responsibility to all children in the next generation."

– MARK ZUCKERBERG AND PRISCILLA CHAN

The couple have recently set up the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative - and say they'll donate $45bn to the organisation aimed at 'curing disease, connecting people and building strong communities.'

The letter was signed off by the couple saying they 'can't wait to see' what their daughter brings to the world.

Max, we love you and feel a great responsibility to leave the world a better place for you and all children. We wish you a life filled with the same love, hope and joy you give us. We can't wait to see what you bring to this world.

Love,

Mom and Dad

– MARK ZUCKERBERG & PRISCILLA CHAN