Warren Buffet is mainly famous for being the third richest man in the world, but his main achievements are probably as an investor and a philanthropist. Unlike, for example, Bill Gates, Buffet never had a product or invention to make him rich. He started early as an investor, working as a stockbroker while still very young, and even lectured on the best way to invest.

Having made his first million, he quickly increased this by taking over and merging several firms, and by 1990 had become a billionaire. Today he is worth well over 30 billion dollars. Despite his wealth he has always lived modestly and not spent much money on himself.

In recent years, Buffet has become even more famous for giving money away than for making it. He plans to give most of his fortune to the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation for relieving poverty, and has donated to many other causes. He does not plan to leave too much money to his children as he wants them to remain independent.