19 of the most inspiring rags-to-riches stories in business

Advertisement

Do Won Chang headshot

Getty Images/Alberto E. Rodriguez

Do Won Chang worked three jobs to make ends meet before starting Forever 21.

Some of the richest people in the world were born into their wealth.

Advertisement

But many of them started with nothing, and through hard work, talent, grit, and a bit of luck, managed to rise to the very top.

These 20 stories remind us that it's possible to overcome just about anything, from parents passing away, to extreme poverty, and more.

Max Nisen and Eric Goldschein wrote an earlier version of this story.