The concept of “coming from nothing” or from “from zero to millionaire” is often used to describe individuals who were born into poverty, faced significant challenges, and yet managed to achieve great success. These people serve as an inspiration to many, as they prove that with hard work, dedication, and determination, anything is possible.
In this post, I will discuss some of the successful people who came from nothing, examining their stories of triumph and perseverance.
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is one of the most successful people who came from nothing. Born in 1954 in rural Mississippi to an unmarried teenage mother, Oprah grew up in poverty and was raised by her grandmother.
Despite the challenges she faced, Oprah was an excellent student and received a scholarship to Tennessee State University. After college, Oprah began her career as a local news anchor and eventually worked her way up to host her talk show, “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” Today, Oprah is a media mogul, philanthropist, and one of the richest women in the world.
J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling is another successful person who came from nothing. Born in England in 1965, Rowling’s childhood was marked by poverty and struggle. Her mother suffered from multiple sclerosis, and her father left the family when she was young.
Despite these challenges, Rowling excelled in school and eventually attended the University of Exeter. After graduation, Rowling worked a series of jobs before she began writing the Harry Potter series. Today, she is one of the most successful authors in history, with over 500 million books sold worldwide.
Jay-Z
Jay-Z is a rapper, entrepreneur, and one of the most successful people who came from nothing. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1969, Jay-Z grew up in poverty and turned to drug dealing to make ends meet. However, he soon realized that this was not the life he wanted and began pursuing a career in music.
Despite facing rejection early in his career, Jay-Z persisted and eventually founded his record label, Roc-A-Fella Records.
He is currently one of the most successful rappers of all time and has also found success in business, with investments in fashion, sports, and technology.
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln is one of the most iconic figures in American history and is also one of the successful people who came from nothing. Born in a log cabin in Kentucky in 1809, Lincoln grew up in poverty and received only a few years of formal education.
Even through the challenges, Lincoln had a strong desire to learn and read every book he could get his hands on.
He eventually became a lawyer and was elected president of the United States in 1860, leading the country through one of its most challenging periods, the Civil War.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs is another successful person who came from nothing. Born in San Francisco in 1955, Jobs was adopted by a working-class family and grew up in a modest home.
Despite dropping out of college, Jobs co-founded Apple Computer with Steve Wozniak in 1976 and went on to become one of the most influential figures in the technology industry.
Today, Apple is one of the most valuable companies in the world, and Jobs’ legacy continues to inspire entrepreneurs and innovators worldwide.
J. Paul Getty
J. Paul Getty is a billionaire oil tycoon and one of the most successful people who came from nothing. Born in Minnesota in 1892, Getty grew up in a family that struggled financially.
Despite this, he went on to attend the University of Oxford and eventually founded Getty Oil Company. Today, Getty’s legacy lives on through the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, which houses an extensive collection of art and artifacts.
Howard Schultz
Howard Schultz Howard Schultz is the former CEO of Starbucks and one of the successful people who came from nothing. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1953, Schultz grew up in a housing project and was the first person in his family to attend college.
After college, Schultz worked for a Swedish company that sold coffee makers and eventually joined Starbucks in 1982. Under his leadership, Starbucks grew from a small chain of coffee shops to a global brand with over 30,000 locations worldwide.
Richard Branson
Richard Branson is a British entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, and one of the most successful people who came from nothing. Born in London in 1950, Branson struggled in school and dropped out at age 16 to start his first business, a magazine called Student.
He went on to found Virgin Records, a record label that signed some of the most iconic bands of the 1970s and 1980s.
Today, Branson is the founder of the Virgin Group, a conglomerate that includes over 400 companies in various industries, including travel, entertainment, and finance.
Ursula Burns
Ursula Burns is a businesswoman and the former CEO of Xerox, and one of the successful people who came from nothing. Born in New York City in 1958, Burns grew up in a housing project and attended a Catholic school.
She went on to attend the Polytechnic Institute of New York University and later joined Xerox as an intern. Burns worked her way up the ranks and eventually became the first African American woman to lead a Fortune 500 company.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo is a Portuguese professional footballer and one of the most successful people who came from nothing. Born in Madeira, Portugal, in 1985, Ronaldo grew up in a working-class family and began playing football at a young age.
He was discovered by a talent scout at age 12 and eventually joined Sporting CP, a football club in Portugal. Ronaldo went on to play for some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Manchester United and Real Madrid, and is considered one of the greatest footballers of all time.
Conclusion
The stories of successful people who came from nothing are powerful reminders of the potential for achievement that lies within us all.
These individuals overcame significant challenges and obstacles to achieve success in their respective fields, and their stories serve as inspiration to others who may be facing similar struggles.
Whether through hard work, determination, or sheer grit, these successful people remind us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.
