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Discuss anything in our forums!Top 25 Short CEOs, Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Top 25 Short CEOs, Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs
Published March 2019
People assume that height and success are related. A major reason for this is because of a well-studied bias against short people (mostly men) called "heightism". There is no coincidence that most of our presidents are tall, same with the majority of CEOs and people in management positions.
See Also: How To Be An Effective Short Male Leader
That said, there are plenty of short men who are able to become extremely successful in spite of this overlooked and sometimes even encouraged prejudice. Here is a list of the 25 richest and most successful short men today.
Jeff Bezos - 5’7 - $112 Billion (Amazon)
The first entrepreneur on our list is coincidentally the first person who made over 150 billion dollars in the last 3 decades. Jeff Bezos used combined patience and his passion for technology to create Amazon in his small garage, a company that would later become one of the biggest and most successful companies in the world. Six years ago, he bought the Washington Post in a 250 million dollars deal. All of his brilliant business moves made him one of the richest people alive.
Bill Gates - 5’9 - $90 Billion (Microsoft)
This brilliant businessman and one of the biggest philanthropists in the world made his vast fortune when he, together with his friend and partner Paul Allen, founded Microsoft. Since then, Microsoft became the world's largest software company which helped Gates accumulate over $90 billion dollars, making him the second richest man in the world. While 5'9 is average height, it is well under the height of most CEOs.
Mark Zuckerberg - 5’7 - $71 Billion (Facebook)
Our third entry on this list is probably one of the most well-known individuals in the tech industry today. Mark Zuckerberg stuck gold when he founded and launched Facebook, which would overtake over social media competitors like MySpace to become the most popular social network in the world. His net worth is estimated to be $71 billion, and he is currently fifth on Forbes' Billionaires list.
Amancio Ortega - 5’8 - $70 Billion (Zara)
Ever since he founded Inditex Group, a multinational clothing company, Amancio Ortega has become one of the biggest names in the fashion industry. Even though he owns many brands that are currently part of Inditex, Zara is certainly the most popular one. Every man with fashion sense who lives in a major city has been to Zara at least once. Ortega has a net worth of $70 billion.
Carlos Slim - 5’6 - $67.1 Billion (Telecommunications)
Carlos Slim, a Mexican businessman, and entrepreneur, who has for a while been one of the most successful and richest people in the world. His vast holdings in a large number of companies that are part of his conglomerate helped him earn over $67 billion.
Michael Bloomberg - 5’6 - $50 Billion (Bloomberg LP)
Ever since he was fired from his job on Wall Street, Michael Bloomberg has been successful in almost every business venture he found himself involved in. His information technology Bloomberg LP got him approximately $50 billion, making him one of the richest people of 21. century. He was also a New York City Mayor for three terms and helped the city shed its gritty reputation to become a business and tech magnet.
Sergey Brin - 5’7 - $47.5 Billion (Google)
Sergey Brin, 13th richest person in the world, currently has a net worth of $47.5 dollars. He made his fortune by creating what most would argue is the most powerful and influential tech companies in the world, Google. When it was first founded, Google was just a search engine which competed with the likes of Yahoo and Alta Vista (remember them?). Now, Google has a large number of its own subsidiaries, the most popular mobile operating system in the world and a huge list of in-demand tech products.
Ma Huateng - 5’9 - $45.3 Billion (Internet Media)
One of the most influential people in the world, Ma Huateng is an entrepreneur, investor and technology mogul. He founded Tencent, one of the most valuable companies in Asia, which is one of the biggest internet companies in the world. In the last few years, he was named one of the world's most influential and powerful people. His net worth is somewhere around $45 billion.
Mukesh Ambani - 5’7 - $40.1 Billion (Oil & Gas)
Another good example that height doesn't have to limit one's success in the world of business and finance is Indian entrepreneur Mukesh Ambani, who stands at a modest 5’7. He is the chairman of the hugely successful Reliance Industries Limited, a fortune 500 company. Holding this position helped him accumulate a net worth of $40 billion.
Jack Ma - 4’11 - $39 Billion (E-Commerce)
Shortest business on this list is also one of the richest people in Chine and one of the richest people in the world. Jack Ma has a net worth of almost $40 billion that he earned after he founded one of the most popular internet companies in the world, Alibaba. Recently, he resigned from the position of the chairman and decided that he wants to focus on philanthropy.
Sheldon Adelson - 5’6 - $38.5 Billion (Casinos)
Listed by Forbes as the 15th richest person in the world with the net worth of $38.5 billion, Sheldon Adelson is an American businessman and investor. He made his fortune by investing in casinos and by founding his own company Las Vegas Sands. Adelson also owns two newspaper companies, Israel Hayom, and Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Lee Shau Kee - 5’3 - $30.3 Billion (Real Estate)
The second shortest person on our list is Chinese real estate tycoon who owns the majority of Henderson Land Development, a company with interests in various properties. Lee Shau Kee is only 5’3 tall but is an incredible businessman who has a net worth of $30.3 billion.
Phil Knight - 5’9 - $29.6 Billion (Nike)
Phil Knight is an ex 5’9 tall CEO, and currently chairman of NIKE, with a net worth of almost $30 billion. He also owns film production company Laika, and is currently the 28th richest person in the world.
Jorge Paulo Lemann - 5’7 - $27.4 Billion (Beer & Alcohol)
Brazilian business magnate & investor. He made his $27.4 billion fortune by investing in two breweries, which later on controlled over 60 percent Brazilian beer market.
Georg Schaeffler - 5’7 - $25.3 Billion (Automobile Parts)
A 5’7 tall billionaire businessman who owns 80% of the company INA Holding Schaeffler. He is ranked by Forbes as the 31st richest person in the world with the net worth of $25.5 billion.
Leonid Mikhelson - 5’6 - $18 Billion (Gas & Chemicals)
Leonid Viktorovich Mikhelson with his estimated fortune of $18 billion is a Russian entrepreneur and CEO of gas company Novatek.
Shiv Nadar - 5’8 - $14.6 Billion (Software Services)
Founder of HCL, IT enterprise, Shiv Nadar is a billionaire businessman and philanthropist. His net worth is estimated to be somewhere around $14.6 billion.
Dustin Moskovitz - 5’8 - $14 Billion (Facebook)
Youngest self-made billionaire in history, this internet entrepreneur co-founded largest social network company Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg. His estimated net worth is 14 billion.
Steve Cohen - 5’9 - $14 Billion (Hedge Funds)
With the net worth of $14 billion, this 5’9 tall American investor, hedge fund manager, and philanthropist is also a founder of two companies, Point72 Asset Management, and S.A.C. Capital Advisors.
Luis Carlos Sarmiento - 5’5 - $12.1 Billion (Banking)
The second richest man in Colombia, Luis Carlos Sarmiento is a banking mogul who over the years accumulated a net worth of over $12 billion.
David Tepper - 5’7 - $11 Billion (Hedge Funds)
Just like Steve Cohen, David made his vast fortune using hedge funds. He is also an owner of NFL team Carolina Panthers, and founder of hedge funds company Appaloosa Management.
Giorgio Armani - 5’8 - $8.9 Billion (Armani)
One of the most popular and respected fashion designers in history, Giorgio Armani is the owner of Armani, extremely successful fashion company worldwide. Giorgio's net worth is estimated to be almost $9 billion.
Travis Kalanick - 5’8 - 5.8 Billion (Uber)
115th richest American in the world, with the net worth of $5.8 billion, this businessman is the founder of app "Scour" and Uber, transportation network company.
Steve Chen - 5’6 - 1.65 Billion (YouTube Founder)
Steve Chen is an internet entrepreneur who co-founded video sharing site Youtube together with Chad Hurley. His net worth is somewhere around $1.65 billion.
Gary Vaynerchuk - 5’7 - $160 Million (Media)
Author, speaker, and internet personality, this 5'7 wine critic is best known for his work in digital marketing and social media. Gary's net worth is estimated to be around $160 million.
Wrap Up
In the end, when we take a look at this list, we realize that height is not indicative of success and despite the real prejudices and social snubbing that short men experience, one can still be successful. It just sometimes requires being a go-getter and self-starter. Notice how many of the men on this list got their taste of success through creating startups and their own entities. Is it a coincidence? Maybe so, maybe not.
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