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BBC World Service · Business

Good Bad Billionaire

How did the richest people on the planet make their billions? New episodes include: Sir Paul McCartney, Roger Federer, MrBeast, Luana Lopes Lara, Beyoncé, Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Spielberg. Make up your minds whether you think they are good, bad or just another billionaire. In each episode, BBC Business Editor Simon Jack and journalist and author Zing Tsjeng analyse the lives of the super-rich, and try to understand what motivates billionaires like Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. New season: From singing superstar Beyoncé, to footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Simon and Zing will rate their wealth, power, legacy and associated controversies, putting them to the test with a playful, totally unscientific scorecard. Then they hand the verdict over to you: are they good, bad, or simply billionaires? Get in touch by email and let us know what you think! The contact details are at the end of these show notes. Ever wondered how Taylor Swift went from country singer to money-spinner? How tennis ace Roger Federer turned sporting prowess into amazing business opportunities? Or how Mr Beast and Khaby Lame became some of the wealthiest people on the planet by posting on YouTube and TikTok? Trawl through the archives to find out how Selena Gomez went from a child Disney star to a mega-magnate of makeup, and how Martha Stewart, the “original lifestyle influencer”, became one of the most successful women in business. We explore the life of British inventor Sir James Dyson, and learn about some of the big names behind Snapchat, Minecraft, Marvel, ChatGPT, Google and Amazon, which shape the world we live in today. In a special season, we have also told the stories of the pioneers who helped build the United States of America: the world’s first billionaire John D Rockefeller, motor magnate Henry Ford, the aviator and filmmaker Howard Hughes, Walmart founder Sam Walton, and Hetty Green - once dubbed “The Witch of Wall Street”. It's not just how billionaires made their money; it's what they did with it next. So, what do you think? Make up your own mind. Are they good, bad, or just another billionaire? Let us know your thoughts, and we may include your comments and suggestions in a future episode. If you do not wish for your comments, first name or location to be read out, please say that in your email or message, or mark it confidential. Email [email protected] or drop us a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. To find out more about the show and read our privacy notice, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire

Episodes

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Sergey Brin: Googling billions

05 Aug 2024
47m
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This podcast episode chronicles the remarkable journey of Google, from its humble beginnings in a Stanford dorm room to its evolution into a tech giant, emphasizing the innovative spirit and entrepreneurial drive of its founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page. It highlights the strategic decisions that shaped Google, such...

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Tiger Woods: Golf’s ‘golden boy’

29 Jul 2024
40m
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This podcast episode chronicles the tumultuous journey of Tiger Woods, from his childhood as a prodigy dazzling audiences with his golf talent to his monumental impact on the sport, reflected in the phenomenon known as the "Tiger Effect." Despite facing significant personal and professional challenges, including a majo...

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Coming soon: Season 2

16 Jul 2024
4m
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This podcast episode explores the lives of billionaires, delving into their minds, motives, and wealth. The hosts discuss the captivating and intriguing factors that make billionaires fascinating figures, emphasizing their relentless drive for success and unwavering determination. The series provides deep insights into...

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Mark Zuckerberg: Move fast and get rich

26 Mar 2024
56m
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This podcast episode explores the life and career of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Facebook. It delves into his upbringing, early interest in technology, and the creation of Facebook. The episode discusses the early struggles and controversies faced by the company, as well as the influential figures and inves...

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Sir Richard Branson: Sky's the limit

19 Mar 2024
48m
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This podcast episode explores the life and career of Richard Branson, from his early struggles with dyslexia to his rise as a billionaire entrepreneur. It discusses his early entrepreneurial ventures, his success with Virgin Records, his involvement in various industries, and his space exploration endeavors with Virgin...

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Sir Jim Ratcliffe: Man U mogul

12 Mar 2024
48m
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This podcast episode delves into the life and career of British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, exploring his business acumen, investment strategies, and impact on the global chemical industry and sports world. Ratcliffe's rise from a humble background to the helm of INEOS, a multi-billion-dollar petrochemicals company, is ...

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Bernie Ecclestone: Fast money

05 Mar 2024
50m
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This podcast delves into the complex and polarizing figure of Bernie Ecclestone, former head of Formula One. From his luxurious lifestyle, legal troubles, and controversial remarks to his significant impact on the sport, the episode presents a multifaceted portrait of Ecclestone. While he's credited with revolutionizin...

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Gina Rinehart: The other Iron Lady

27 Feb 2024
50m
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This podcast episode explores the life and controversial legacy of Gina Rinehart, Australia's wealthiest woman. It delves into her early life, upbringing, and the influence of her father, Lang Hancock, on her worldview and business acumen. The episode also examines the bitter family feuds, legal battles, and challenges...

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Good Bad Billionaire Presents….Business Daily

26 Feb 2024
18m
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This podcast episode delves into the world of sports, exploring the remarkable achievements of athletes who have transcended their sports and amassed billionaire fortunes, with a particular focus on four iconic figures: Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson. These athletes exemplify exceptional v...

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Charles Koch: Dark money’s slick operator

20 Feb 2024
38m
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This podcast episode delves into the life and influence of Charles Koch, the billionaire co-founder of Koch Industries, a major American conglomerate. It explores his early struggles, rise to prominence, management philosophy, political involvement, and philanthropic efforts. Listeners will gain insights into the Koch ...

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Taylor Swift: Swiftonomics

13 Feb 2024
53m
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This podcast episode delves into Taylor Swift's extraordinary career, from her early struggles and determination to her rise to global stardom. It examines her strategic use of social media, her songwriting prowess, and her calculated business decisions, including her re-recording of her master recordings in a bid to r...

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Warren Buffett: The oracle of Omaha

06 Feb 2024
54m
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Warren Buffett's investment philosophy emphasizes understanding a stock's intrinsic value and potential future earnings rather than engaging in short-term price speculation. His early life experiences during the Great Depression shaped his approach to investing, focusing on patience, long-term thinking, and not fixatin...

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NR Narayana Murthy: India's IT innovator

30 Jan 2024
53m
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This podcast episode explores the inspiring life and career of N. R. Narayana Murthy, the enigmatic cofounder of the successful Indian technology company Infosys, delving into his steadfast belief in capitalism's potential for positive change, the early challenges faced by Infosys and his resilience in overcoming them,...

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Rupert Murdoch: The Succession prequel

23 Jan 2024
52m
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Rupert Murdoch is a media mogul who built a global media empire known as News Corp. He acquired newspapers and television stations, using controversial tactics and consolidating media power. Murdoch's influence earned him enemies and controversies, including a phone hacking scandal. Despite challenges and scandals, Mur...

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El Chapo: Cocaine kingpin

16 Jan 2024
50m
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This podcast episode delves into the life and career of El Chapo, a notorious drug lord whose daring escapades and innovations in drug trafficking propelled him to prominence. From his humble origins in Mexico's Golden Triangle to his rise as the leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, El Chapo's story is a tale of power, ambiti...

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Jay-Z: A business, man

09 Jan 2024
52m
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This podcast episode delves into the remarkable life and career of Jay-Z, from his humble beginnings in Brooklyn to his rise to billionaire status. It explores his journey from a young boy with a love for words to a successful musician, business mogul, and cultural icon, highlighting his determination, business acumen,...

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Michael Bloomberg: Market master

12 Dec 2023
49m
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Michael Bloomberg's career is full of ups and downs. He started off with little money, but became a successful businessman and politician. He created Bloomberg L.P., a business that revolutionized the way traders access and analyze information. He also served as the mayor of New York City. However, he has also been acc...

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Patrick Soon-Shiong: Cures for cash

05 Dec 2023
39m
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This podcast episode brings to light the compelling stories of individuals who have left their mark in the world of medicine and philanthropy, including Patrick Tschung, Tsun Tsjeng, Patrick Soon-Shiong, and others, shedding light on the intricacies of medical research, business, ethics, and the impact individuals can ...

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Bill Gates: Software hardman

28 Nov 2023
1h 0m
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This podcast episode focuses on Bill Gates' life, Microsoft, and its impact on technology. Starting as a coding enthusiast, Gates' success as a businessman transformed Microsoft into a tech giant. With the pivotal deal with IBM and the introduction of MS-DOS, Microsoft became the standard in operating systems. Bill Gat...

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Sam Bankman-Fried with Michael Lewis

21 Nov 2023
59m
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This podcast episode delves into the life, motivations, actions, and legacy of Sam Bankman-Fried, the former crypto billionaire whose meteoric rise and fall captivated the world. From his upbringing and social struggles to his success on Wall Street and his transition to cryptocurrency, the podcast explores his unique ...

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