10 Rags to Riches Billionaires

By siliconindia   |   Monday, 24 October 2011, 16:51 IST   |    5 Comments
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Kirk Kerkorian, United States Net worth: $15 billion
Kirk Kerkorian
Son of Armenian immigrants dropped out of eighth grade and took up boxing. Amateur fighter threw punches under the name ''Rifle Right Kerkorian.'' Flew planes across the Atlantic during World War II. Made first bundle selling Tran International Airlines in the 1960s; invested proceeds in Las Vegas. Today his MGM Mirage owns more than half the hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip. Continues to jab at auto industry; after failing to orchestrate turnaround at ailing general Motors, sold off shares and later made unsuccessful bid for Chrysler arm of DaimlerChrysler.