Who was the 1st billionaire?

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By Nick

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John D. Rockefeller, an American oil magnate, was the first billionaire in the world with a net worth of $1.5bn in 1916. He founded Standard Oil in 1870, which became the largest oil refinery in the world. Despite accusations of monopolizing the oil industry and using unethical business practices to eliminate competition, his philanthropic efforts later in life left a lasting impact on society. Forbes produces a global list of known U.S. dollar billionaires every year and updates an Internet version of this list in real-time.

Who was the 1st Billionaire?

When we think of billionaires, we often think of tech giants like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. However, the world’s first confirmed billionaire was actually an American oil magnate named John D. Rockefeller.

Early Life and Career

Rockefeller was born in 1839 in New York and grew up in a modest family. He began his career as a bookkeeper and eventually started his own business in the oil industry. He founded Standard Oil in 1870, which quickly became the largest oil refinery in the world.

Monopoly and Controversy

Rockefeller’s success was not without controversy. Standard Oil was accused of monopolizing the oil industry and using unethical business practices to eliminate competition. In 1911, the Supreme Court ordered the breakup of Standard Oil, which resulted in the creation of several smaller oil companies.

Billionaire Status

Despite the controversy surrounding his business practices, Rockefeller’s wealth continued to grow. In 1916, Forbes magazine confirmed that Rockefeller was the world’s first billionaire, with a net worth of $1.5 billion. Adjusted for inflation, this would be equivalent to over $34 billion today.

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Philanthropy

Later in life, Rockefeller became known for his philanthropic efforts. He donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, public health, and scientific research. He also founded the Rockefeller Foundation, which continues to fund important research and initiatives to this day.

In Conclusion

John D. Rockefeller was the world’s first confirmed billionaire, with a net worth of $1.5 billion in 1916. Despite controversy surrounding his business practices, Rockefeller’s success in the oil industry paved the way for future billionaires. His philanthropic efforts later in life also left a lasting impact on society.

References for « Who was the 1st billionaire? »

  1. Investopedia: The First Billionaires in the World
  2. History: How John D. Rockefeller Became the World’s First Billionaire
  3. Forbes: How the World’s Richest Men Made Their Fortunes
  4. Biography: John D. Rockefeller
  5. Business Insider: The Richest Person of All Time from Every Country

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