Many people think that going to university is the only way to succeed and be financially stable. But in reality, some of the richest people in the world didn't finish college.
About one out of every four billionaires has dropped out of school. This article looks at the stories of these successful individuals who made it big without a degree and often impacted the world.
Here are the 10 College Dropouts Who Became Billionaires:
Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg known for founding Facebook (now Meta), is perhaps one of the most famous college dropouts. He left Harvard during his sophomore year to focus on his budding social network, which he started in his dorm room. Today, Zuckerberg's net worth is an astonishing $179.7 billion, and he controls about 13% of Meta's stock. In a generous move, he and his wife, Priscilla Chan, have pledged to donate 99% of their Meta shares over their lifetimes.
Larry Ellison: $176.6 billion
Larry Ellison, another prominent dropout, left college twice and was once told by his adoptive father that he would amount to nothing. He proved this prediction wrong by founding Oracle in 1977, a company that would grow to become the world's second-largest software maker. Today, Ellison is worth $176.6 billion and still plays a significant role in Oracle as its chairman and chief technology officer.
Bill Gates: $135 billion
Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and once the world's richest person for 13 consecutive years, left Harvard to build his software empire. With a current net worth of $135 billion, Gates is a renowned philanthropist who, along with his ex-wife Melinda, uses his fortune to combat global poverty and disease.
Gautam Adani: $83.4 billion
From India, Gautam Adani left Gujarat University to work in Mumbai's diamond industry before founding the Adani Group. He now oversees a vast business empire that includes coal trading, mining, and power generation, with a net worth of $83.4 billion.
Dustin Moskovitz: $17.9 billion
Dustin Moskovitz, a former Harvard roommate of Mark Zuckerberg, helped launch Facebook and later co-founded Asana, a workflow software company. Most of his wealth, which totals $17.9 billion, comes from his early stake in Facebook.
Giorgio Armani: $12 billion
Giorgio Armani, who dropped out of medical school, founded his fashion brand and became a billionaire. His brand, known for its elegant designs, now includes a range of products from accessories to haute couture.
Ralph Lauren: $9.2 billion
Ralph Lauren left college to work in the fashion industry and eventually established a brand that became synonymous with American style. Starting with ties, he expanded into a full-range fashion house. Lauren's journey from a Bronx teenager to a billionaire is a testament to his vision and entrepreneurial spirit.
Travis Kalanick: $3.6 billion
Travis Kalanick dropped out of college to focus on his tech startups, including Scour and RedSwoosh, but he is best known for co-founding Uber. Despite stepping down as CEO, he remains active in business, now leading CloudKitchens, a global virtual restaurant company.
Oprah Winfrey: $3 billion
Oprah Winfrey, who grew up in poverty, left Tennessee State University to pursue media but returned to complete her degree after establishing her career. With a net worth of $3 billion, Winfrey's path highlights her unique blend of entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to education.
Richard Branson: $2.6 billion
Richard Branson, founder of the Virgin Group, quit school at 16 to start a magazine, paving the way for a vast business empire that includes airlines and space tourism. Branson's adventurous spirit and innovative approach to business have earned him a substantial fortune and a knighthood.
Comments