The 15 Richest People Who Didn't Graduate From College

Ingvar Kamprad



Net worth: $10.5 billion

Source of wealth: Luxottica (eyewear)

Education: no higher education

Honored: Although he never went to college, Leonardo has received four honorary degrees from various Italian universities.

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Net worth: $11.2 billion

Source of wealth: steel and investments

Education: college drop out

Humble beginnings: Abramovich once sold plastic toys out of his small apartment in Russia.

Net worth: $12.2 billion

Source of wealth: inherited late husband's steel company

Education: no higher education

Unexpected billions: Savitri didn't even know how much money her husband made before taking over his company after his unexpected death.

Net worth:$12.7 billion

Source of wealth: Microsoft and investments

Education: Washington State University drop out

Strategic thinker: Allen convinced Bill Gates to drop out of college in 1976 to form Microsoft.

Net worth:$14 billion

Source of wealth: Dell

Education: University of Texas--Austin drop out


Net worth: $18.5 billion

Source of wealth: real estate

Education: no higher education

College supporter: Lee Shau Kee has provided scholarships for many colleges and universities around the world through his Lee Shau Kee Foundation. He has also been given many honorary degrees.

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Net worth: $20 billion

Source of wealth: L'Oreal

Education: no higher education

In her blood: Why bother with college when you inherited the largest cosmetics company in the world?

Net worth: $21 billion

Source of wealth: real estate and various business endeavors

Education: High school drop out

Born entrepreneur: Li Ka-Shing dropped out of high school at age 15 and sold plastic flowers to help support his family.

Net worth: $23 billion

Source of wealth: IKEA

Education: no higher education

Born entrepreneur: Kamprad bought matches cheaply in bulk in Stockholm and sold them individually for a profit when he was just a child.

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Net worth: $23.5 billion

Source of wealth: ALDI

Education: no higher education

Learned more from WWII: Karl Albrecht served in WWII for Germany's army and used lessons from war and postwar Germany to build a successful company with his brother.

Net worth:$24 billion

Source of wealth: Wal Mart

Education: no higher education

College supporter: Walton donates money to The Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation which among other causes helps deserving students from Mexico and South American countries receive educations from United States colleges.

Net worth: $25 billion

Source of wealth: Zara/Inditex

Education: no higher education

Model for business schools: Ortega's business model for Inditex has been taught in many business schools.

Net worth: $28 billion

Source of wealth: Oracle

Education: University of Chicago drop out

Recognized by colleges: Ellison was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the Harvard University School of Business in 1990.

Net worth:$54 billion

Source of wealth: Microsoft

Education: Harvard University drop out


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