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According to the U.S. News website, the 2024 Forbes Global Billionaire List includes only 2,781 billionaires worldwide, with 813 of them residing in the United States.
This article features an impressive roster, including founders and CEOs of iconic companies like DoorDash, Airbnb, Panda Express, Dell, Snapchat, Nike, and WhatsApp, as well as prominent figures in American politics and entertainment.
1. Andy Fang – Co-founder of DoorDash
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $1.2 billion
- University: Stanford University
- Major: Computer Science
Andy Fang, co-founder of the popular food delivery service DoorDash, was born in San Jose, California. He graduated from Stanford University in 2014 with a degree in computer science.
While he was a college student, he and three classmates identified delivery as a problem after speaking with local restaurant owners, leading them to establish what became a major tech company.
DoorDash now operates in 25 countries, generating $2.63 billion in revenue.
2. Brian Chesky – Founder of Airbnb
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $10 billion
- University: Rhode Island School of Design
- Major: Industrial Design
Brian Chesky, founder of Airbnb, graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a degree in industrial design.
After graduating, Chesky co-founded Airbnb (initially Airbedandbreakfast.com) in 2008 with roommate Joe Gebbia and friend Nathan Blecharczyk. The company is now valued at over $75 billion.
3. Peggy Cherng – Co-founder of Panda Express
2024 Net Worth Estimate: Over $3 billion
- Universities: Baker University, Oregon State University, University of Missouri
- Majors: Mathematics, Electrical Engineering
Peggy Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda Restaurant Group, grew up in Hong Kong and moved to the U.S. in the 1960s. She earned degrees in mathematics and electrical engineering, including a PhD from the University of Missouri.
In 1983, she and her husband opened the first Panda Express in a California mall, using technology to track customer preferences and manage inventory, helping the business expand globally.
4. Michael Dell – Founder and CEO of Dell Technologies
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $104 billion
- University: University of Texas at Austin
Michael Dell founded Dell Technologies in 1984 as a freshman at the University of Texas at Austin. He dropped out after earning $80,000 from selling computers from his dorm room.
He became the youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company and now serves as the UN Foundation’s first Global Advocate for Entrepreneurship.
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5. Thai Lee – CEO of SHI International
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $6.8 billion
- Universities: Amherst College, Harvard Business School
- Majors: Biology and Economics, MBA
Thai Lee, CEO of IT distribution giant SHI International, holds degrees in biology and economics from Amherst College and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Her company has annual sales of $14 billion and serves 15,000 clients, including Boeing and AT&T, with offices in 35 locations worldwide.
6. Evan Spiegel – Co-founder and CEO of Snapchat
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $2.6 billion
- University: Stanford University
Evan Spiegel, co-founder and CEO of Snap Inc. (Snapchat’s parent company), studied at Stanford University but dropped out just weeks before graduation.
At Stanford, he met Snapchat CTO Bobby Murphy and fellow Kappa Sigma fraternity member Reggie Brown, who envisioned a platform for disappearing photos.
In 2011, the trio launched Snapchat, and Spiegel became a billionaire at 25.
7. Phil Knight – Co-founder and Chairman of Nike
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $40 billion
- Universities: University of Oregon, Stanford University
- Majors: Business
Phil Knight earned his business degree from the University of Oregon in 1959 and later completed graduate studies at Stanford.
While at Stanford, Knight developed his passion for business, proposing in a class that Japanese footwear could surpass German-made shoes.
After graduation, he partnered with a Japanese company to distribute shoes in the U.S., founding Blue Ribbon Sports, which later became Nike.
Nike’s global revenue surpassed $51 billion last year.
8. Jan Koum – Co-founder of WhatsApp
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $16 billion
- University: San Jose State University
Jan Koum, who co-founded WhatsApp, immigrated to California from Ukraine during his teenage years.
He dropped out of San Jose State University and met his future business partner Brian Acton while working at Yahoo. Together, they developed WhatsApp in 2009, now valued at $105.6 billion.
9. Mark Zuckerberg – Founder and CEO of Meta
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $180 billion
- University: Harvard University
Mark Zuckerberg launched the first version of Facebook in 2004 while attending Harvard University. He dropped out to focus on the platform, securing funding from investor Peter Thiel.
By 23, Zuckerberg became the youngest billionaire in history.
10. Oprah Winfrey – TV and Film Star
2024 Net Worth Estimate: $3 billion
- University: Tennessee State University
- Major: Speech Communications and Performing Arts
Oprah Winfrey majored in speech communications and performing arts at Tennessee State University.
She left college to work as a reporter and later returned to complete her degree. Oprah became an Emmy-winning host and founded Oxygen Media and the Oprah Winfrey Network.
These 10 individuals demonstrate that higher education often serves as a launchpad for success. Their university experiences provided not only foundational knowledge but also networks that shaped their entrepreneurial journeys.
