The woman behind the boom in shapewear is one of the youngest self-made female billionaires on the planet. But the path to Blakely's success took some detours.
Sara Blakely —
The woman behind the boom in shapewear is one of the youngest self-made female billionaires on the planet. But the path to Blakely's success took some detours.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
Jan Koum was 16 when he immigrated to America from Ukraine with his mother. The two struggled in their new country, relying on government assistance to survive. <br /> <br />Koum taught himself computer networking as a teen, and as an adult, co-founded the messaging app WhatsApp, which Facebook bought this year for $19 billion. He signed the paperwork for the Facebook deal on the door of the welfare office where he once got food stamps.
Jan Koum —
Jan Koum was 16 when he immigrated to America from Ukraine with his mother. The two struggled in their new country, relying on government assistance to survive.

Koum taught himself computer networking as a teen, and as an adult, co-founded the messaging app WhatsApp, which Facebook bought this year for $19 billion. He signed the paperwork for the Facebook deal on the door of the welfare office where he once got food stamps.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
Though she is a descendant of the Manchu dynasty, Chan Laiwa's family was so poor in the 1940s she was forced to leave high school and work instead, eventually starting her own furniture repair business.
Chan Laiwa —
Though she is a descendant of the Manchu dynasty, Chan Laiwa's family was so poor in the 1940s she was forced to leave high school and work instead, eventually starting her own furniture repair business.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
Now the owner of a Las Vegas mega-resort and many other properties, Sheldon Adelson wasn't always a high roller.
Sheldon Adelson —
Now the owner of a Las Vegas mega-resort and many other properties, Sheldon Adelson wasn't always a high roller.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
SOHO China is one of the country's most successful real estate developers, and Zhang Xin is at the head of it all.
Zhang Xin —
SOHO China is one of the country's most successful real estate developers, and Zhang Xin is at the head of it all.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
The CEO of Starbucks grew up in public housing in Brooklyn, N.Y., with his parents and siblings. His mother, who didn't finish high school, pushed her children to believe in their ability to succeed.
Howard Schultz —
The CEO of Starbucks grew up in public housing in Brooklyn, N.Y., with his parents and siblings. His mother, who didn't finish high school, pushed her children to believe in their ability to succeed.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
George Soros survived the Nazi occupation of his native Hungary during World War II and emigrated to England in 1947.
George Soros —
George Soros survived the Nazi occupation of his native Hungary during World War II and emigrated to England in 1947.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
This media mogul and superstar needs no introduction. But it's easy to forget that the Queen of Talk started from very humble beginnings.
Oprah Winfrey —
This media mogul and superstar needs no introduction. But it's easy to forget that the Queen of Talk started from very humble beginnings.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
A college drop-out, the founder of Oracle is now one of the wealthiest men in the world.
Larry Ellison —
A college drop-out, the founder of Oracle is now one of the wealthiest men in the world.
Illustration: Javier Munoz
The CEO of Amazon showed an aptitude for mechanics as a baby, when he attempted to dismantle his own crib. He's been set on building for most of his life, and today his online retail giant is worth billions.
Jeff Bezos —
The CEO of Amazon showed an aptitude for mechanics as a baby, when he attempted to dismantle his own crib. He's been set on building for most of his life, and today his online retail giant is worth billions.
Illustration: Javier Munoz