Top 10 Richest American Entrepreneurs in 2013

“Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life most people won’t, so that you can live for the rest of your life like most people can’t.”
The likes of such quotes have always been a source of inspiration for people who aspire to do more than the ordinary. It isn’t about book-smarts or street-smarts alone. As some people have demonstrated, entrepreneurship needs hard work, and above all, a dedication and motivation to achieve the impossible. Names like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs (late) aren’t new to anyone. Such entrepreneurs have set excellent examples, and the cornerstones for the inspiration of current and future generations. Today, we’ll talk about the top 10 richest entrepreneurs in America, some of whom also happen to be the richest people in the world. And interestingly, some are even on our list of the richest people who dropped out of college!

1. Bill Gates – $66 Billion

Bill Gates, of course, needs no introduction. He is a rich businessman, and a philanthropist. His story is simply amazing. He started programming computers at the ag of 13. By the time he was 17, he had won many awards, and gained a lot of popularity due to his talent in his field. He formed the world-renowned OS and software company Microsoft. Currently, he is a non-executive chairman of Microsoft, and also runs a charity named Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

2. Warren Buffett – $46 Billion

One of the most distinctive qualities of Warren Buffett’s has to be his foresight, which has helped him in his various investments. He is termed as the most successful investor of the 20th century. The 83-year-old business Tycoon recently bought the World’s largest Solar Power project, which is in anticipation of the energy crisis that’s impending. The major source of his wealth is his Berkshire Hathaway. Buffett is a generous philanthropist as well, and has donated around $18 Billion to date.

3. Larry Ellison – $41 Billion

You might be familiar with the Oracle Corporation, which is the world’s largest enterprise software company, and the pioneer in database and other software applications. Larry Ellison happens to be its founder, and the current CEO, and also holds 22.5% of Oracle stocks.

4. Charles and David Koch - $31 Billion

The Koch industries is one of the largest oil and chemical companies, with operations in more than 60 countries and employing more than 70,000 people. It also has stakes in refineries and other such businesses all over the world. They had to face a 25% decline in their wealth after the chemical market collapsed recently.

5. Jeff Bezos – $23.2 Billion

Jeff Bezos revolutionized e-commerce when he created Amazon.com nearly 16 years ago. Amazon is one of the world’s largest online shop, and one of the most reliable too, thanks to Bezos. According to Harvard Business review, he is the best CEO in the world.

6. Sheldon Adelson – $20.5 Billion

Adelson is a rich businessman who started off his career by investing in companies. Today, he is one of the most successful businessman alive. He is also notorious for his moves on buying the U.S. elections, where he vowed to defeat President Obama by spending over a $100 Million.

7. Larry Page and Sergey Brin – $20.3 Billion

Larry Page and Sergey Brin together founded Google more than 15 years ago after graduating. Google has since turned into an internet giant worth more than $250 Billion currently. And they both hold 16% shares of the company.

8. George Soros – $19 Billion

A very well-known investor and businessman. H started his career from a relatively young age. And from then onwards, he has amassed a lot of wealth. He is also a philanthropist, and has given more than $8 Billion towards the education and health sectors.

9. Forrest Mars (Jr) – $17 Billion

This is the person behind the very popular chocolate and candy company that is Mars. Currently aged 81, he is still growing the business and making innovations.

10. Steve Ballmer – $15.9 Billion

He is one of the very influential people of the world and currently resides on the top most position CEO of the largest computer based company Microsoft.

That concludes our top 10 list. Hope you enjoyed it. Stay tuned for more such lists. And stay motivated :)
SOURCE: www.smartearningmethods.com