When we think of billionaires, the first picture that comes to our minds is that of people in fancy suits and MBAs from ivy-league universities.
Breaking such stereotypes, these magnates have gone on to show that your fortune is the result of perseverance and nothing else.
David Geffen – $9 Billion
A smart billionaire needs no degree to succeed in life
Early on in his life, Geffen had to quit his pursuit of a degree due to dyslexia. The condition affected his grades, and he had to jump from one college to another, and finally moved to Los Angeles to find his footing in the entertainment business.
Later, he went on to establish Geffen Records, which forged deals with musicians like Nirvana, Aerosmith, and Elton John.
Micky Arison – $7.2 Billion
The proud owner of Miami Heat
Arison came out of University of Miami empty-handed, but is now worth billions! Thanks to the opportunities that came his way, he rose to become the CEO of Carnival Corporation, a popular cruise operator.
He did go back to the university, but only for draft selections since he is the proud owner of Miami Heat!
Craig McCaw – $1.3 Billion
As the man who revolutionized cell phones and wireless communications, McCaw made a truckload of money in his career!
He took over his family business and did wonders with it, but this cost him his degree from Stanford University. There are no regrets since he owns the choicest houses and cars and sits on a huge fortune.
Ted Turner – $2.2 Billion
Pioneer in the 24-hour news industry
It might seem silly in today’s age, but Turner was removed from his college for letting a girl into his dorm! After that, he went on to establish Turner Broadcasting and CNN, becoming a pioneer in the 24-hour news industry.
Three decades after leaving college, he was invited to his ‘almost-alma mater’ to give a keynote speech and received an honorary bachelor’s degree!
Carl Lindner Jr. – $2.3 Billion
While many in this list have at least seen what a college looks like, Carl Junior is a school drop-out as a result of the Great Depression. At the age of 14, he started helping his family build their dairy business and subsequently established an empire worth billions.
Ty Warner – $2.8 Billion
Remember Beanie Babies? Ty Turner was the man behind the popular stuffed toy collection. He dropped out of Kalamazoo College in Michigan within one year and moved to LA to become an actor, but fate had something else written for him.
Amancio Ortega Gaona – $78.6 Billion
At the age of 14, Ortega left school to become a shirtmaker in La Coruna. The business magnate owes his cloth-making skills to whatever he learned there – quite the statement coming from the founder of the biggest fashion agglomeration in the world.
Richard Branson – $5 Billion
On the last day of school, Branson’s headmaster predicted that he’d end up in prison or become a millionaire! The business magnate started by selling tissue boxes, and by the time he turned 60, there was no business he didn’t venture into.
Ingvar Kamprad – $43.2 Billion
Despite being a billionaire in his own right, Kamprad lived a modest life and traveled only in economy class. The flat-pack furniture king founded IKEA right after he graduated from high-school using the reward-money for his academic performance. Little did people know that the investment was going to give birth to a huge legacy.
Time and again, many successful individuals have proved that degrees do not matter if you have the grit and determination to succeed. Now, start working towards achieving your dreams!
