10 Rags to Riches Billionaires

By siliconindia   |   Monday, 24 October 2011, 16:52 IST
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Francois Pinault, France Net worth: $14.5 billion
Francois Pinault
High school drop out started out as an unknown timber merchant from France's Brittany region. Speculation in commodities and ''predator'' business tactics helped him build a sprawling empire. Today he is the majority shareholder of luxury goods group PPR, whose brands includes Gucci, Balenciaga and Stella McCartney. His personal art collection is showcased in Venice in the Palazzo Grassi. Son Francois-Henri, who now runs the family business, recently announced that he is engaged to Mexican actress Salma Hayek, with whom he is expecting his first child.