Of the50 richest people in the world, mostbuilt their wealth up from nothing, creating some of the most powerful companies out thereincluding Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, Nike, and Googlealong the way.The25richest self-made billionaires on earth have accrued more than $850 billion combined, each with a personal net worth of at least $18billion.This comes fromnew data provided to Business Insider by Wealth-X, which conducts research on the super-wealthy, as featured in our recent list of the richestpeople on earth.Wealth-X maintains a database of dossiers on more than 110,000 ultra-high-net-worth people, using a proprietary valuation modelto discern the size of their fortunes.The list ranges from tech moguls like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos to influential investors like Warren Buffett and Carl Icahn. Read on to learn how each of these 25 self-made magnates earned theirfortune.SEE ALSO:The 50 richest people on earthDON'T MISS:The 8 richest people in Europe25. Paul AllenNet worth: $18.3 billionAge:62Country:USIndustry:Diversified investmentsSource of wealth:Self-made; MicrosoftAlongside his cofounder Bill Gates, Paul Allen credits Microsoft for his fortune. Although Allen left the company before it went public in 1986, he remained a board member until 2000 and today holds a less than 5% stake. The college dropoutwent on to found Vulcan, hisprivate-investment vehicle, shortly after leaving the software giant.With lifetime donations exceeding $2 billion, Allen's philanthropic efforts make him one of the most generous people in the world. The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation gives to global health causes, including $5 million to Seattle BioMed, $4 million to Global FinPrinta conservation project focused on the preservation of sharks worldwideand $7 million in grants to Alzheimer's research.During West Africa'sEbola pandemicin 2014, Allengave more than $100 millionto develop solutions to stem the outbreak. In October 2015, the foundation announcedseven new grants totaling $11 million to prevent future widespread Ebola outbreaks.The self-made billionaire also counts an extravagant lineup of cars,World War II fighterjets, real estate, and two sports teamsthe Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trailblazersamong his luxurious array of assets.24. Lee Shau KeeNet worth: $18.5 billionAge:87Country:Hong KongIndustry:Real estateSource of wealth:Self-made; Henderson Land DevelopmentLee Shau Kee fled China for Hong Kong before the Communist takeover in 1948, working in commoditieslikegold and currency exchangebefore founding Henderson Land Development in 1973. Overthe last 43 years, Henderson has become atopreal-estate developer in Hong Kong andChina, generating annual sales of more than $3 billion and making Lee one ofthe richest men in Asia.An active philanthropist, Lee has donated more than $100 million over the years to causes ranging from education to affordable housing to farmer-training programs. In October, he honored the birth of his seventh grandchild by giving away HK$15 millionabout US$1.9 millionto his friends and employees.23. Carl IcahnNet worth: $18.7 billionAge:79Country:USIndustry:Diversified investmentsSource of wealth:Self-made; Icahn EnterprisesCarl Icahnhas made a lifelong habit and lucrative career out of agitating undervalued and poorly managed companies to change their ways. Since founding his own investment firm in 1968, Icahn has become one of the most powerful people in finance, investing in scores of high-profile companies, including RJR Nabisco,Philips Petroleum,Viacom, Marvel, Time Warner, Netflix, and Herbalife.And he usually gets his way. When Icahn revealed that he held a stake in Apple worth more than $1 billion in 2013, the company's stock shot up and CEOTim Cook responded to Icahn's critique of the company. Cook has even come around to some of Icahn's views, and Icahn said in the fall thathe may buy an even larger stake.Now Icahn's leading the charge against AIG, publishing an open letterin January calling for the insurance giant to break up into a "smaller, simpler company."Icahn has said that he has no plans of retiring from pestering corporate executives, but a career shift may nonetheless be in the works. Donald Trump has said that if elected US president, he would bring Icahn in as Treasury secretarya position which Icahn said he would accept despite some disagreements with the combative real-estate mogul's positions.See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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