

Good Bad Billionaire
BBC World Service
How did the richest people on the planet make their billions? From Selena Gomez to Jeff Bezos, and now we find out about five dead billionaires. Meet 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”. These iconic billionaires may be long dead, but their fingerprints are all over modern industry - in business trusts, IPOs, and mass production. They did it all first, but how did they make their billions?
Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that analyses the minds, motives and money of some of the world's wealthiest individuals. Simon and Zing explore the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. From iconic celebrities and secretive CEOs to sporting legends and titans of technology, Simon and Zing find out how they made their money, and then it’s over to you to decide whether they’re good, bad, or just another billionaire.
Ever wondered how Taylor Swift went from country singer to money-spinner? How Amazon boss Jeff Bezos came to launch one of the biggest corporations of the internet age? And how six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan made his fortune with Nike? 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 James Dyson and learn about some of the big names behind Minecraft, Marvel, WWE and the ultimate reality TV show – Big Brother.
Join us on a global journey, discovering all we can about some of the richest people on the planet. In the United States, there are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. Hear about billionaires in Russia, China, New Zealand, India, Nigeria and the UK. Exploring the lives of Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, El Chapo, Narayana Murthy and Kim Kardashian, this podcast paints a vivid picture of business, entrepreneurship, capitalism and how our world really works.
Discover how the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Peter Jackson, Doris Fisher and George Soros came to join the billionaires' club. Learn how Tiger Woods went from a child golfing prodigy to the world’s highest paid athlete, how a communist mime artist became the boss of fashion house Prada and how Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich came to buy an English football club. Find out how Mukesh Ambani became Asia’s richest person, and how Patrice Motsepe became the first black billionaire in a post-apartheid South Africa. Plus, we examine some of the biggest names behind the technology shaping our world – the founders of TikTok, Google, ChatGPT, Alibaba and Bumble.
But it's not just how these billionaires made their money; it's what they did with it next. Ultimately, Simon and Zing will help you decide whether they’re a force for good, bad, or somewhere in between. Join Simon Jack, the business editor for BBC News, and journalist and author Zing Tsjeng as this podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility, ultimately inviting you to make up your own mind: are they good, bad, or just another billionaire?
We’d love to hear your feedback. Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com 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
Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that analyses the minds, motives and money of some of the world's wealthiest individuals. Simon and Zing explore the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. From iconic celebrities and secretive CEOs to sporting legends and titans of technology, Simon and Zing find out how they made their money, and then it’s over to you to decide whether they’re good, bad, or just another billionaire.
Ever wondered how Taylor Swift went from country singer to money-spinner? How Amazon boss Jeff Bezos came to launch one of the biggest corporations of the internet age? And how six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan made his fortune with Nike? 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 James Dyson and learn about some of the big names behind Minecraft, Marvel, WWE and the ultimate reality TV show – Big Brother.
Join us on a global journey, discovering all we can about some of the richest people on the planet. In the United States, there are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. Hear about billionaires in Russia, China, New Zealand, India, Nigeria and the UK. Exploring the lives of Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, El Chapo, Narayana Murthy and Kim Kardashian, this podcast paints a vivid picture of business, entrepreneurship, capitalism and how our world really works.
Discover how the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Peter Jackson, Doris Fisher and George Soros came to join the billionaires' club. Learn how Tiger Woods went from a child golfing prodigy to the world’s highest paid athlete, how a communist mime artist became the boss of fashion house Prada and how Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich came to buy an English football club. Find out how Mukesh Ambani became Asia’s richest person, and how Patrice Motsepe became the first black billionaire in a post-apartheid South Africa. Plus, we examine some of the biggest names behind the technology shaping our world – the founders of TikTok, Google, ChatGPT, Alibaba and Bumble.
But it's not just how these billionaires made their money; it's what they did with it next. Ultimately, Simon and Zing will help you decide whether they’re a force for good, bad, or somewhere in between. Join Simon Jack, the business editor for BBC News, and journalist and author Zing Tsjeng as this podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility, ultimately inviting you to make up your own mind: are they good, bad, or just another billionaire?
We’d love to hear your feedback. Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com 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
Mentioned books

Aug 4, 2025 • 48min
Hetty Green: The 'witch' of Wall Street
Explore the intriguing life of Hetty Green, America’s richest woman, known as the 'Witch of Wall Street.' Delve into her extreme frugality and remarkable investment strategies during a time when women had little financial power. Uncover her battles with family trusts and a notorious will forgery trial that put her reputation on the line. Learn how she navigated the male-dominated finance world, made her fortune through value investing, and faced personal challenges with a complex relationship with wealth. Hetty's story is a captivating blend of ambition and adversity.

10 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 44min
Sam Walton: Walmart’s founder
Discover the remarkable journey of Sam Walton, the visionary behind Walmart, as he revolutionized retail with discount megastores. Explore his unique strategies, like surprise visits to stores and his risk-taking innovations during Walmart's early growth. Dive into the mixed legacy of Walmart, examining its impact on small-town economies and the ethical implications of corporate practices. Enjoy a humorous tale of Walton’s quirky Wall Street moment—tropical shirt included—while unpacking the vast influence of supermarkets on modern society.

15 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 45min
Howard Hughes: Eccentric aviator
Explore the fascinating life of Howard Hughes, a billionaire who mastered filmmaking and aviation while wrestling with obsession and paranoia. From his extraordinary upbringing to taking charge of his father's company at 19, Hughes's life is a whirlwind of ambition, love, and chaos. Discover his rise as a charismatic mogul, his controversial wartime dealings, and his eventual retreat into reclusiveness. Delve into the complexities of his legacy, marked by both groundbreaking achievements and eccentric behavior.

17 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 52min
Henry Ford: Putting the world on wheels
Henry Ford revolutionized transportation with the affordable Model T, reshaping American society. He introduced the assembly line, enhanced production efficiency, and pioneered the five-day workweek. However, his legacy is complex; he raised wages but opposed unions and propagated antisemitic views. The podcast dives into his early struggles, landmark legal battles, and the contradictions of his character, exploring how he influenced modern culture while facing criticism for his beliefs. Listeners are invited to reflect on his impact and look forward to more tales of billionaires.

62 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 47min
John D Rockefeller: The first billionaire
Dive into the life of John D. Rockefeller, the first billionaire who revolutionized the oil industry while shaping corporate America. Discover how his ruthless tactics fueled a monopoly yet triggered antitrust laws. Unravel the contradictions of a man viewed by some as a 'robber baron' and by others as a generous philanthropist, giving away over $500 million. Explore how Rockefeller's legacy resonates in today's corporations and the ongoing debate: can vast wealth justify immense power?

Jun 23, 2025 • 2min
Coming soon: Good Bad Dead Billionaire
Dive into the legacies of legendary billionaires like John D. Rockefeller and Henry Ford. Discover how their innovative ideas shaped modern industry and finance. Explore the contrasts in their personas—are they to be celebrated or scrutinized? The podcast invites listeners to weigh in on the moral implications of their vast fortunes. Time travel through business history as these iconic figures influence today’s economic landscape, proving that their impact persists, even from beyond the grave.

29 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 40min
Eike Batista: Golden grifter
In this intriguing dive, listeners explore the meteoric rise and dramatic fall of Eike Batista, Brazil’s once-wealthiest man. From a gold tycoon to a notorious grifter, Batista's life was marked by extravagant lifestyle choices and high-stakes business ventures. The hosts discuss his ambitious attempts to revolutionize Brazil's mining industry and the corruption that led to his infamous legal troubles. They weigh his celebrated contributions against his controversial legacy, prompting debates on the true nature of wealth and influence.

64 snips
May 26, 2025 • 48min
LeBron James: King of the court
LeBron James turned down a $10 million offer from Reebok at just 18, showing remarkable foresight. His journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming an NBA legend is inspiring. Beyond basketball, he built a business empire with Nike and strategic investments, including Blaze Pizza. The podcast explores his controversial decision to move to the Miami Heat, the evolution of his public image, and his rise to billionaire status. It also highlights his philanthropic efforts and activism, making him more than just an athlete.

27 snips
May 19, 2025 • 45min
Masayoshi Son: High-tech gambler
Dive into the fascinating life of Masayoshi Son, a high-tech gambler who rose from poverty to build SoftBank, showcasing his bold investment strategies and remarkable comebacks. Discover how he overcame significant health challenges and once lost 96% of his fortune yet remained a billionaire through high-stakes bets on tech giants like Alibaba. From an ambitious teenager crashing corporate headquarters to a visionary navigating the tumultuous tech landscape, his story is a blend of triumph and tenacity.

7 snips
May 12, 2025 • 42min
Strive Masiyiwa: Connecting a continent
Explore the remarkable journey of Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwe’s first billionaire, who turned challenges into triumphs amidst political turmoil. Hear about his escape from kidnapping and how he revolutionized telecommunications with Econet Wireless across Africa. Delve into his innovative contributions like EcoCash and the Sasai app, reshaping financial landscapes while navigating corruption. The discussion also touches on his philanthropic efforts and the complex impact of his entrepreneurial spirit on education and economic growth across the continent.