My first reaction when I hear for the first time about some person, in his early thirties, billionaire,being in the Forbes list of 400 richest people in the world is always "Oh Well, I guess his family must have a centuries old rich business/kingdom/treasure".
Only when I learn more, learn that some people are truly "self-made", that I begin to question my assumptions of life. So far life has always been something that "happened to me". But now, I look around, and see men and women, who make it happen.
Self made Billionaire at 32 .
That's right. Read more about the Ding Lei story here: http://www.chinatoday.com.cn/English/2004/44.htm
Another interesting read is the life story of Kia Joorabchian. Born in Iran, fled as a boy with family to Britain to escape persecution from Ayatollah Khomeini. University Drop-out. Car dealer. Hedge Fund Manager, then owner, then seller (for $50m odd!). Has British and Canadian passports, with different birthdates. Currently operating as Shady Football Agent and Sports Agency Owner. Stake in Corinthians Football Club in Brasil and controversial ownership of 2 of Argentina's star players. Has Arrest Warrant in his name issued by Interpol for charges of money laundering. Suspected links with Boris Berezovsky....
Pretty colorful a life for a thirty-something, no?
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20060902/ai_n16711409
Boris Berezovsky's story is also, not surprisingly, a jolly interesting read - Ph.D, publisher of books, papers in journals - a bonafide academic. Then comes the rise in business to one of the richest men in the world....Continued involvement in politics...Ukraine, Chechnya and Russia, Public enmity with Putin...etc etc.
A life less ordinary.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Berezovsky
You may not always agree with these people and the things they stand for (some of the things done might be pretty villainous!), but you can certainly not ignore them.
An Apple commercial says it perfectly:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oAB83Z1ydE
And I wonder : Will we make something happen?
2 comments:
On a slightly different note, here is a discussion of how society plays a role - and there are no truly 100% "self made" successes.
"I didnt do it alone"
www.responsiblewealth.org/press/2004/notalonereportfinal.pdf
Wow !
Maybe, decade(s) down the line people will be remembering one of us,if not as a Forbes 400 billionaire, then maybe as someone who managed to leave an impact.
(... Or maybe '32'group is already doing it :P)
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