Branson

Richard Branson began building his fortune in 1970 by founding Virgin as a mail-order record business, which expanded into Virgin Records in 1972; the label gained global success signing artists like the Sex Pistols, Rolling Stones, and Phil Collins.

In 1984, Branson launched Virgin Atlantic Airways, taking on major airlines with innovative customer service and marketing, helping establish his billionaire status.

He later expanded into Virgin Mobile and Virgin Rail, capitalizing on deregulated telecom and transport markets.

Branson also sold key stakes—like selling Virgin Records to EMI for $1 billion in 1992—to fund ventures like Virgin Galactic.

His wealth comes from combining brand licensing, public offerings, and strategic sales across multiple sectors while retaining the Virgin brand’s global appeal.