Most of us grew up believing that education and earning power were irrevocably shackled to each other, and where one went, the other inevitably followed. These days, we’re not so sure. Especially with the number of billionaire dropouts.
Below, a partial list of billionaires who dropped out of school and went on to become outrageous successes in the technology, entertainment and fashion fields.
1. Sir Richard Branson dropped out of high school at the age of 16 and soon founded both Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airways–as well as 300 other companies. He also bought a 79-acre Caribbean Island at the age of 24
2. Kirk Kerkorian is a Las Vegas Legend with big stakes in Bellagio, Excaliber, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, New York-New York, Circus Circus, The Mirage, and more. He dropped out of school in the 8th Grade.
3. Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft, needs little introduction. He and wife Melinda are world-class philanthropists in addition to being the wealthiest couple in the world. Most of us know he was a Harvard dropout who couldn’t resist teaming up with:
4. Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft who dropped out of Washington State University to join buddy Bill in their MS venture. He ended up with over 100 million shares of Microsoft and today owns 12 pro sports teams, lots of real estate, and big stakes in other tech and media companies including Dreamworks Studios.
5. Steve Jobs dropped out of Reed College after just one semester and went on to found Apple Computer and become the largest shareholder in Disney Studios. A dropout earning $1 per year might have bolstered my parents admonishments, were it not that Mr. Jobs also owns 30 million shares of Apple plus perks.
6. Larry Ellison, flashy founder of Oracle, dropped out of Illinois’ University of Urbana-Champaign (as well as the University of Chicago) and in 1977 invested $2000 to start Oracle Corporation, which is today the second largest software company in the world. He also pilots his own jets.
7. Michael Dell dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin after starting a little computer company he called PC’s Unlimited. Wildly successful, this dropout went on to develop Dell Computers into a name with worldwide recognition.
8. David Geffen, a beacon in the entertainment industty, was another University of Texas at Austin dropout. He was also a cofounder of DreamWorks–and likely shares genius and coffee with Paul Allen (above).
9. The Ralph Lauren name has become an icon in the fashion world. The City College of New York dropped out and founded the Polo Ralph Lauren brand. He reportedly got an early start, though, by selling neckties in high school where he declared his intentions to become a millionaire.
10. Sheldon Adelson is a casino legend/kingpin and Wall Street wizard, who is also a City College of New York dropout. He is CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corp which also holds the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino and the Sands Expo and Convention Center. Adelson also help found the COMDEX computer trade show.
Any other notable billionaire dropouts we failed to mention? Also, where are the women?
These billionaires weren’t really dropouts they just had the courage to follow their own instincts. Education is fine in its way but it can stifle individual creativity.
Wow, it seems like all the big names are there, I believe their secret was to have a great idea and develop it no matter what