Donald Trump as we know has not been just a successful businessman, he’s had his difficulties, and he’s been to a point where most entrepreneurs would have given up.
In 1992 Donald Trump had to sign a bankruptcy plan because he could not make payments towards his debts – which were accumulating at quite a speed. His personal debt (not a business debt), was an incredible $900 million! Can you seriously imagine being in debt by that much money?
However, not want to disappoint; Trump managed to not only get out of his debt and get his business out of debt, but he also climbed straight back up that ladder and become a multi-billionaire.
Since this article was first posted in 2010, Donald Trump has gone on to become The 45th President of the United States (2017 – 2021) making him the head of state and head of government of the United States of America.
#19 Oprah Gail Winfrey
The reason Oprah is an influential entrepreneur, is that she’s been through so much – yet accomplished so much more.
After being the subject of vicious sexual attack at the age of nine, she later became pregnant and lost the child at birth when she was only 14 years of age.
In 1986 she famously revealed this to her shocked viewers on her live show. Her fame came to fruition in 1983, when her seductive character and genuine love of people gained her the job of her dreams; as a talk-show host.
The following exposure was explosive, and she soon became one of the most famous, most loved, and most professional people in the entertainment industry.
However, she did not want to stop there as she felt there was another side to her, a side of which she wanted to pursue, her entrepreneurial side. In 1988 following her instincts she founded the company Harpo Studios, which for those of you not realised is Oprah spelt backwards.