The world today is home to thousands of billionaires, all of whom have fascinating stories of how they ever made their first million.
The most common part of their stories is how some of them managed to make millions while still in their 20s. This achievement often sets the stage for their later successes.
In this article, WoK takes a look at ten world billionaires who reached this remarkable milestone before hitting 30.
1. Mark Zuckerberg
One of the world’s wealthiest men, Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg, launched the social media platform from his Harvard dorm room in 2004 when he was just 19.
By the age of 20, Zuckerberg had turned his venture into a billion-dollar company, revolutionizing the way individuals connect and communicate. His ability to innovate and adapt has kept Facebook, now Meta Platforms, at the forefront of social media.
2. Evan Spiegel
Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel created the multimedia messaging app while he was a student at Stanford University.
Launched in 2011, Spiegel became a billionaire by the age of 25, as the platform gained immense popularity among younger audiences. His unique understanding of digital communication trends helped propel Snapchat into the spotlight, making him a significant player in the tech industry.
3. Kevin Systrom
Kevin Systrom co-founded Instagram, the photo-sharing app that has transformed social media. Along with his partner Mike Krieger, Systrom launched the platform in 2010, and within two years, they were billionaires when Facebook acquired Instagram for about $1 billion in cash and stock.
Systrom’s understanding of user engagement and visual content played a crucial role in Instagram’s meteoric rise.
4. Jennifer McKinney
Jennifer McKinney, known as the “MckMama,” made her fortune through blogging and entrepreneurship.
After starting her lifestyle blog in her 20s, she attracted a massive readership that opened numerous opportunities, including sponsorships and product lines. By leveraging her platform, McKinney became a multimillionaire before her 30th birthday, showcasing the power of digital influence.
5. David Karp
David Karp founded Tumblr, a microblogging platform, at the young age of 20. He built Tumblr into a prominent social media network, ultimately selling it to Yahoo in 2013 for approximately $1.1 billion.
Karp’s innovation allowed him to harness the emerging social media landscape, making him a billionaire before his 30th birthday.
6. Larry Page and Sergey Brin
While it is often mentioned that Larry Page and Sergey Brin started Google during their PhD studies at Stanford, they reached their billionaire status as a duo while still in their 20s.
The search engine’s 1998 launch rapidly escalated to immense popularity and profitability, leading to their first billion by the time they turned 30.
Their innovation transformed the internet.
7. Peter Thiel
Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, created the online payment platform that revolutionized e-commerce. He was only 28 when PayPal was sold to eBay for $1.5 billion in stock.
Thiel’s visionary thinking in the tech sector made him one of Silicon Valley’s iconic figures. His investments and subsequent ventures, including being an early investor in Facebook, further boosted his wealth.
8. Richard Branson
Sir Richard Branson founded the Virgin Group, which began with a simple record label in 1970 when he was just 20 years old.
By the time he was 30, his entrepreneurial endeavours had expanded to include airlines, music, and telecommunications, among others.
Branson’s adventurous spirit and business acumen helped him build a diversified empire that has earned him billionaire status.
9. Elizabeth Holmes
Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of Theranos, had a meteoric rise in the health technology sector.
While her story is one of ambition and eventual controversy, she became a billionaire at the age of 30 after raising significant capital for her company, which claimed to revolutionize blood testing.
10. Tristan Walker
Tristan Walker is the founder of Walker & Company Brands, which focuses on health and beauty products for people of colour.
He became a millionaire through ventures that included his work at Airbnb and his subsequent startup, which gained substantial funding from investors.
