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Many entrepreneurs have achieved success without completing college, proving that innovation and determination are essential in building great fortunes.
Academic training is generally seen as an essential step to achieving professional success. In Brazil, a study of FGV (Getulio Vargas Foundation) of 2024 reveals that individuals with University education earn, on average, 126% more than those without a degree. However, this is not the reality for everyone billionaires that appear in the prestigious forbes list.
A significant number of exceptional entrepreneurs, such as Bill Gates e Steve Jobs, managed to amass impressive fortunes without completing college. Whether by personal choice, lack of opportunities or various challenges, formal education was not a determining factor for these individuals. Let's explore the lives of 15 billionaires who achieved success without a college degree.
Inspiring Stories of Billionaires Without a Degree
A striking example is the co-founder of Apple , Steve Jobs. He began his studies at Reed College, but dropped out of college after just one semester. He continued to audit some classes, including a calligraphy class that later influenced the typography of the first Macintosh. By founding Apple in 1976, Jobs built an empire that, by the time of his death in 2011, was worth an estimated $XNUMX. US $ 7 billion (about $ 39,5 billion).
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Another remarkable story is that of Sarah Breedlove, known as Madam CJ Walker. Born in 1867, she was the first in her family to be born free and had only three months of formal education. In 1906, she launched a cosmetics line aimed at Afro hair, becoming the first American millionaire woman to amass her own fortune. In just two years, her business was making over U.S. $ one thousand 150 per year (about R $ 847 thousand).
Meet the billionaires who prospered without higher education
Mark Zuckerberg
- Fortuna: US $ 207,2 billion (R$ 1,1 trillion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 2th
- Fountain of fortune:Meta
- Training: He dropped out of psychology and computer science courses at Harvard University to create the Facebook.
Larry Ellison
- Fortuna: US $ 185,9 billion (R$ 1 trillion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 4th
- Fountain of fortune: Oracle
- Training: Abandoned the University of Illinois after the death of his adoptive mother.
Amancio Ortega
- Fortuna: US $ 124,2 billion (R$701,9 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 10th
- Fountain of fortune: Zara
- Training: He left school at 14 to work as an office boy.
Bill Gates
- Fortuna: US $ 112,8 billion (R$637,4 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 13th
- Fountain of fortune: Microsoft
- Training: He dropped out of mathematics and law courses at Harvard University.
Michael Dell
- Fortuna: US $ 99,9 billion (R$564,5 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 17th
- Fountain of fortune: Dell
- Training: He enrolled in a medical course, but dropped out to pursue his business vocation.
Francoise Bettencourt
- Fortuna: US $ 91,8 billion (R$518,7 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 19th
- Fountain of fortune: L'Oréal
- Training: He dropped out of the mathematics course.
François Pinault
- Fortuna: US $ 18 billion (R$101,7 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 116th
- Fountain of fortune: Luxury goods
- Training: He did not attend university, dropping out of high school.
Ralph Lauren
- Fortuna: US $ 10,8 billion (R$61 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 236th
- Fountain of fortune: Ralph Lauren
- Training: He studied business, but dropped out to serve in the army.
Joesley and Wesley Baptist
- Fortuna: US $ 4,9 billion (R$ 27,6 billion) each
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 755th
- Fountain of fortune: JBS
- Training: They dropped out of school as teenagers to help with the family business.
Richard Branson
- Fortuna: US $ 2,8 billion (R$15,8 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 1337th
- Fountain of fortune: Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Galactic
- Training: He dropped out of school at the age of 16 due to dyslexia.
Jay Z
- Fortuna: US $ 2,5 billion (R$14,1 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 1472th
- Fountain of fortune: Diversified
- Training: He did not complete high school, despite having attended three schools.
Julio Bozano
- Fortuna: US $ 2,1 billion (R$11,8 billion)
- Position in the billionaire ranking: 1713th
- Fountain of fortune: Banking sector
- Training: He enrolled in the architecture course, but did not complete it.
Pedro Franceschi and Henrique Dubugras
- Fortuna: $600M monthly (R$ 3,34 billion) each
- Fountain of fortune: Brex
- Training: They attended the Stanford for less than a year before founding Brex.
Those billionaires prove that success can be achieved in many ways, regardless of academic background. Their stories are a testament to the fact that innovation, vision and determination play crucial roles in building great fortunes.
The role of education in the trajectory of billionaires
While many of these billionaires achieved success without a degree, it’s important to consider the context of their journeys. Some of them had access to experiences and environments that fostered creativity and innovation from a young age. For example, Mark Zuckerberg grew up in a home that valued education and technology, which may have influenced his ability to develop the Facebook. In the same way, Steve Jobs was exposed to the world of technology from an early age, which sparked his interest in technological ventures.
In addition, many of these entrepreneurs have invested in self-learning and ongoing training. For example, Richard Branson, known for his innovative approach to business, always sought to learn from his mistakes and experiences, which led him to create the empire of Virgin. The willingness to learn outside the classroom is a common characteristic among these billionaires.
Challenges faced and overcome
Another aspect worth highlighting is that these billionaires faced significant challenges on their journeys. For example, Larry Ellison He lost his adoptive mother as a teenager, which had a profound impact on his life and choices. Instead of letting it get him down, he used this experience as motivation to persevere in his goals. This resilience is a quality that many of the most successful business leaders share.
The importance of networking and connections
Despite not having completed formal education, many of these billionaires have managed to develop valuable networks of contacts. Networking plays a crucial role in the business world, and many of them have surrounded themselves with mentors and peers who have contributed to their success. Bill Gates, for example, formed ties with other entrepreneurs and technology leaders, which helped Microsoft become one of the most influential companies in the world.
The Social and Economic Impact of Billionaires Without a Degree
The stories of these billionaires They go beyond financial success; they also have a significant impact on society and the economy. Many of them have become active philanthropists, using their fortunes to support social causes and projects that aim to improve the lives of millions of people. Bill Gates and his wife, Melinda, are known for their contributions to areas such as public health and education.
Furthermore, these entrepreneurs have revolutionized entire industries and changed the way we live and work. Steve Jobs, for example, not only transformed technology with the Apple , but it has also influenced contemporary culture and the way we interact with digital devices.
Reflections on the future
The stories of these billionaires without degrees shed light on the idea that success can be achieved in many ways. While formal education can open doors, determination, innovation, and the ability to adapt are just as valuable. As the world evolves, new opportunities arise, and the stories of these entrepreneurs remind us that passion and creativity can lead to extraordinary achievements, regardless of the educational path chosen.
Mentioned assets have been removed from the real-time list of Forbes on May 5th, except those of Henry Dubugras e Peter Franceschi, whose values were removed from the List Forbes Brazilian Billionaires 2024.
SOURCE: FORBES
