The school year is supposed to start in the coming days, unless a strike is declared again, and we are here to remind you that there are also people for whom formal education did not suit them and who still succeeded tremendously. We're not going to tell you here about Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg, whose dropouts from academia have long since become mandatory material for any quiz on the subject. We do intend to tell you that they are not the only ones. We used ChatGPT to find some other iconic figures who proved that formal education isn't always a prerequisite for achieving success:
Sir Richard Branson Richard Branson
, founder of Virgin Corporation, dropped out of school at the age of 16. Despite this 'failure', his entrepreneurial spirit never allowed anything to stop him. Branson has formed a group that includes Virgin Atlantic Airways, Virgin Records and many other ventures. His relentless pursuit of innovation and unwavering belief in himself have propelled him to become one of the most influential business moguls in the world.
Ellen DeGeneres Before becoming one of the most beloved talkshow hosts in history, Ellen DeGeneres
attended the University of New Orleans, but left after only one semester. She pursued her passion for comedy, which led to numerous successful stand-up comedy shows, acting roles, and eventually The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Her ability to connect with an audience, her authentic personality and her philanthropic efforts have cemented her status as an influential figure in the entertainment industry.
Michael Dell Michael Dell, the founder of computer giant Dell
Technologies, dropped out of the University of Texas at Austin to focus on business. His vision was to provide custom PCs (i.e., those assembled according to a customer's list of requirements) directly to consumers, and his company revolutionized the industry. Through his strategic leadership and innovative approach, he has built a thriving multinational technology corporation.
Coco Chanel Renowned fashion designer Gabrielle Bonner "Coco" Chanel
left school at a young age (the exact number is debatable) and embarked on a career in the fashion industry. Against all odds, she introduced groundbreaking designs that challenged traditional fashion norms, leading to the creation of the iconic Chanel brand. Her innovative designs, timeless elegance and entrepreneurial sense have made her a pioneer in the fashion world.
Quentin Tarantino Giant filmmaker Quentin Tarantino
, known for groundbreaking films like "Pulp Fiction" and "Kill Bill," dropped out of high school "toward the beginning of ninth grade," as he said in an interview, but never lost his passion for storytelling. His unique style, nonlinear narratives and fascinating dialogues have made him one of the most influential directors in contemporary cinema. Tarantino's relentless dedication to his craft and bold artistic choices have won the praise of critics and a devoted following.
Wrong? We'll fix it! If you find a mistake in the article, please share with us