Learn how to be a power player like entertainment empress Oprah Winfrey, real estate tycoon Donald Trump, and media magnate Sumner Redstone! POWER profiles these billionaires and shows you that the path to success is not called the American Dream for nothing… just as these masterminds have risen to fame and fortune, so can you! Get ready to be inspired by the best of the best!
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah's definition of power: "Getting to the point where you are absolutely comfortable with yourself … to have the kind of internal strength and internal courage it takes to say, 'No, I will not let you treat me this way' is what success is all about." Net worth: US $1.1 billion.
Born into poverty and wedlock in a rural farm in Mississippi in 1954, Oprah Winfrey is a true example of a successful self-starter. Though subjected to hardship and abuse as a child, Oprah put her life together as she learned the importance of hard work and self-discipline from her father. These two qualities led her to become an honor's student, a leader on student council, and a recipient of a scholarship to Tennessee State. Meanwhile, she began working as a radio announcer in Nashville and then became Tennessee's first African-American woman newscaster. From 1976 until 1983, Oprah worked in Baltimore for the popular show, People are Talking, and in 1984, she moved to Chicago to boost their A.M. Chicago. Re-vamp it she did, as Oprah's charm, wit, self-assuredness, and ability to connect with others helped expand the show to an hour-long segment named after the talented woman. Today, more than 21 million viewers a week watch The Oprah Winfrey Show, and it runs in over 105 countries! She monopolizes the entertainment industry with her strong sense of character, expanding her reign over talk shows, to magazines, movies, books, and the Internet. A heart of gold and a net worth of US $1.1 billion, Oprah's power is evidence of an American Dream come true.
Donald Trump
Donald's path toward power: "I like thinking big. If you're going to be thinking anything, you might as well think big." Net worth: US $2.5 billion.
For this power player, success stems from resiliency: the ability to survive and surpass challenges. Billionaire Donald Trump, born in New York in 1946, learned from his own business-savvy father, who supported his family at an early age by providing affordable housing. Like father like son, Donald's drive to succeed in the real estate market led him to join a highly exclusive club in which he gained a number of clients in the bracket he himself wanted to be: the wealthy. With his affluent clientele, pretty soon Trump owned a line of hotels, casinos, more than 24,000 rental and co-op apartments and the Trump Shuttle Airline. Just as he hit this peak, however, Trump went from billionaire to "billion-where?," facing bankruptcy, unable to pay back US $2 billion in loans. Never a quitter, Trump kept at it, bouncing back to billionaire status by putting his name on even more industries. From bottled water to helicopters and now producing and starring in his highly successful reality TV show, The Apprentice, Trump's big thoughts are bringing in the big money with a net worth of US $2.5 billion. His recipe for power: use your brain power, love what you do, never quit when faced with a challenge, set up competition, be confident, maintain composure, and be loyal to those working with you. Trump has not only built a fortune but a reputation as quite the ladies man as well, though he has only had two wives. So Donald, are you slacking off?
Sumner Redstone
Redstone's thoughts on building power: "Success is not built on success. It's built on failure. It's built on frustration. Sometimes its built on catastrophe." Net worth: US $8.9 billion.
Born May 27, 1923 in Boston, Massachusetts, billionaire Sumner Redstone refers to his childhood as a "poor, Jewish boy." Not poor for long, Redstone worked his way up on a seemingly constant path to success. He was the model student at Boston Latin School, graduated early from Harvard College, and received his L.L.B. from Harvard Law. He began his career as law secretary with the U.S. Court of Appeals and then became a special assistant to the U.S. Attorney General, after which he was a partner in a successful law firm in Washington, D.C. During WWII, he served in the Military Intelligence Division and received numerous commendations. In 1954, he joined National Amusements, Inc., owned by his father, who founded it 1936, and transformed it into the thriving company he heads today. As the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Viacom Inc., Viacom has become one of the world's largest entertainment and media companies. It is the most powerful company in the production, promotion and distribution of entertainment, sports, news, and music, and encompasses the following companies, among others: CBS Network, MTV Networks, BET, Showtime Networks, Infinity Broadcasting, TDI Worldwide and Infinity Outdoor, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Television, Paramount Parks, UPN, Blockbuster and Simon & Schuster. Redstone's success with Viacom reflects his perseverance in life as an individual: he survived a hotel fire in 1979 by clinging to a third floor window with one harshly burnt hand, then lived through over 60 hours of surgery, and re-taught himself to walk! He uses his power to benefit others as well, serving as chairman on a number of philanthropic boards. Redstone has a true brain for building power. He is a self-made man who is now made of billions; his net worth is at US $8.9 billion!!! At 80 years old, he is happy to share that fortune with 40 year-old Paula Redstone, a third grade teacher whom he married after his divorce to his former wife of 55 years. His future goals are set in expanding Viacom's revenue in the fast-growing online advertising category. In doing so, this business-savvy man may set a trend as well capture even more money! Can we say billions? |
