Good Bad Billionaire
BBC World Service
How did the richest people on the planet make their billions? Find out with the Good Bad Billionaire podcast - now with a chance for you to have your say. Make up your minds whether you think they are good, bad or just another billionaire.In each episode of Good Bad Billionaire, 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 Kim Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey.From acting-giant turned politician Arnold Schwarzenegger, to Spanx-founder Sara Blakely, Simon and Zing rate their wealth, power, philanthropy and associated controversies, before asking you whether they are good, bad, or just another billionaire.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 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 Sir James Dyson, and learn about some of the big names behind Snapchat, Minecraft, Marvel, ChatGPT, Google and Alibaba, 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 of comment to be read out, please say that in your email or message, or mark it confidential.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
28 snips
Nov 11, 2024 • 40min
Roman Abramovich: Premier League oligarch
Discover the enigmatic life of Roman Abramovich, from his humble beginnings as a Soviet orphan to an oligarch partying on a $427 million yacht. Explore how his close ties to Boris Berezovsky and Vladimir Putin fueled his meteoric rise in wealth. Delve into the lavish and tumultuous world of football as he bought Chelsea FC, only to face drastic changes amid the fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war. Unpack the complex legacy of this 'stealth oligarch' as he navigates power, controversy, and philanthropy.
36 snips
Nov 4, 2024 • 43min
Mukesh Ambani: Asia’s richest person
Mukesh Ambani made headlines for his son's $600 million wedding and an extravagant lifestyle. The journey from a humble Mumbai slum to leading Reliance Industries showcases a remarkable transformation. Personal rivalries and power struggles defined his family's path, especially after his father's death. The narrative unfolds the strategic moves that solidified his status as Asia's richest, emphasizing tensions in wealth perception, philanthropy, and economic inequality in India. Can we label him good, bad, or just another billionaire?
5 snips
Oct 28, 2024 • 41min
Patrice Motsepe: Mining magnate
Explore the inspiring journey of Patrice Motsepe, South Africa's first black billionaire, who navigated apartheid to rise as a mining mogul. Discover his philanthropic efforts driven by the Ubuntu philosophy and how he balances shareholder interests with charity. From owning a football club to facing ethical controversies in the mining industry, his story is a complex tapestry of success and societal impact. Dive into the evolving landscape of wealth in post-apartheid South Africa as he transitions from mining to renewable energy.
41 snips
Oct 21, 2024 • 43min
Jack Ma: China's ecommerce CEO
Jack Ma is the king of ecommerce in China. Nicknamed 'Daddy Ma', the former school teacher even appeared alongside martial arts legend Jet Li in a kung fu movie. But how did a scrawny, belligerent child, who was the only person who failed to get hired at his local KFC, become the chairman and CEO of online mega-platform Alibaba? BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng explain how a crazy trip to America, where Jack had to flee from a conman, ended up introducing him to the internet, which would make him his fortune. Then they decide if they think he’s 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
64 snips
Oct 14, 2024 • 48min
Yvon Chouinard: A $3 billion giveaway
Discover the intriguing journey of Yvon Chouinard, a billionaire who prioritized nature over wealth. His unconventional philosophy led to the creation of Patagonia, where eco-friendly practices reign. From a childhood spent climbing and surfing to redefining outdoor apparel, his story is a blend of adventure and sustainability. Learn about his drastic decision to give away his fortune to combat climate change, and delve into the ethical dilemmas faced by his company in the quest for responsible business practices.
21 snips
Oct 7, 2024 • 42min
Whitney Wolfe Herd: Dating app entrepreneur
Whitney Wolfe Herd transformed the dating app landscape with Bumble after facing trauma at Tinder. Her journey from scandal to success illustrates the struggles women face in tech. She launched Bumble to empower women to make the first move, challenging norms in the industry. The discussion also highlights the implications of her company going public and examines the dualities of dating apps: fostering connections or breeding superficiality. Listeners will be intrigued by her rise as one of the youngest self-made female billionaires.
14 snips
Sep 30, 2024 • 38min
Aliko Dangote: Africa’s richest person
Join billionaire industrialist Aliko Dangote, famed for ruling Nigeria's cement, sugar, flour, and fertilizer markets. He shares his journey from selling sweets in the playground to becoming Africa's richest person. Discover his vision of self-reliance for Nigeria, insights into his multi-billion dollar refinery, and the challenges of monopolistic practices. Alongside BBC's Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng, they discuss philanthropy, local community impacts, and the legacy of this influential titan in Africa's economy.
Sep 23, 2024 • 46min
Sam Altman: ChatGPT and the AI revolution
How is freshly minted billionaire Sam Altman shaping our future through his company OpenAI and ChatGPT? He made his fortune by investing in huge tech start-ups like Reddit and Airbnb, before turning his attention to artificial intelligence - being fired and re-hired by his own company in the process. Altman believes that OpenAI, with him in charge, can make the world a better place. Yet he’s also preparing for the apocalypse, just in case AI turns on its creators and attacks humanity. BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng tell the story of Sam Altman - the first openly gay billionaire on the podcast so far - before deciding whether they think he’s 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
19 snips
Sep 16, 2024 • 47min
Zhang Yiming: TikTok’s tech boss
Discover the fascinating journey of Zhang Yiming, the mastermind behind TikTok, as he navigates the tech landscape. From his humble beginnings as a software engineer to creating a social media sensation, his story is filled with challenges and triumphs. The discussion highlights TikTok's profound impact on youth culture and the ethical dilemmas it faces. Delve into the controversies surrounding data privacy and the addictive nature of short-form videos while exploring Yiming's philanthropic efforts and the complexities of his legacy in the tech world.
28 snips
Sep 9, 2024 • 34min
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw: Beer, brewing and biotech
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, India’s first self-made female billionaire, built her pharmaceutical empire Biocon after initially failing in the brewing industry. She shares her journey from childhood in a brewery compound to facing gender bias as a pioneer in biotech. Discover how she navigated challenges, pivoted to producing insulin, and became a global figure in pharmaceuticals. The discussion also touches on her philanthropic efforts in cancer care sparked by personal experiences, revealing the heart behind her success.
