Being labelled ‘dumb’ or ‘useless’ in school or college can be one of the major reasons for inferiority complex in many individuals. Many of us define success in terms of grades. However, the biggies in the tech world have proved that one’s innovative, positive attitude and hardworking nature can be a boon.
Here are 6 richest CEOs who were school/college dropouts, but went ahead to be one of the richest and top entrepreneurs in the world.
Mark Zuckerberg
Believe it or not, the CEO of Facebook is a college dropout from Harvard University at the age of 19. Mark Zuckerberg launched a special website meant for casual chats among friends. He basically initiated the idea with the help of his college roommates Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes. The very fact that Facebook has now turned into a massive social networking site defines the success of its CEO. Mark Zuckerberg is valued at a net worth of $33.7 billion.
Steve Jobs
Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc and Pixar, dropped out of Reed College at the age of 21. He recycled cans and bottles to earn his living. He later introduced a new laser printer to feature vector graphics that started desktop publishing to the market.
As the CEO of Apple, Jobs oversaw the development of the iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, and iPad. As the sales of Apple products reached its heights, Apple turned into the world's most valuable publicly traded company in 2011. Steve Jobs is valued at a net worth of $8.3 billion.
Bill Gates
Bill Gates dropped out of Harvard, at the age of 19. He established Microsoft, with his childhood friend named Paul Allen. Forbes has listed Bill Gates as the richest man for thirteen consecutive years. Bill Gates is valued at a net worth of $78.8 billion.
Thomas Edison
Inventor of electric light bulb - Thomas Edison, was labelled as a dumb and scatterbrain person in school. No one would have imagined he could introduce phonograph, the motion picture camera, and a long-lasting, practical electric light bulb.
Walter Elias ‘Walt’ Disney
(Image credit: My Walt Disney quotes)
With an aim to join the army, Walt Disney dropped out of high school at the age of 16. Unfortunately, Walt Disney was rejected for being under-aged. He became a cartoonist for the school newspaper, drawing patriotic topics on World War I. Walt Disney is in fact an inspiration in the field of animation. The annual revenue of his company is now $30 billion.
Michael Dell
Michael Dell dropped out of college at the age of 19 and focused on establishing a new company named ‘PC’s Limited’. PC’s Limited is presently known as Dell Inc. Michael Dell was also ranked the 41st richest person in the world on 2012 Forbes list of billionaires. Michael Dell is valued at a net worth of $21.8 billion.
