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12 Immigrants Who Came To America With Nothing And Made A Fortune

Eric Goldschein,Richard FeloniFeb 25, 2014, 19:30 IST

WSJ/ScreenshotJan Koum, co-founder of WhatsAppAlmost 13% of the U.S. population is foreign-born, for a total of over 40 million people, according to The Brookings Institution.

The belief that anyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps in America still resonates today and drives many immigrants to come to the States try their luck. And while success is rare and never guaranteed, some notable examples have managed to not only get ahead in America, but achieve extraordinary success.

We've compiled a list of 12 immigrants who came to the U.S. with practically nothing and realized the American Dream - with more than enough money and acclaim to show for their efforts.