Successful People without College Degrees

David Frost, a British Media Personality, writer, comedian and journalist once opined Don't aim for success if you want it. Just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally. Come to think of it, it seems so true. Just think of the likes of Bill Gates and Henry Ford, they never had any conventional academic training.

That did not prove to be a hindrance to achieve the pedestal they are on. They are undoubtedly among the most successful people on the face of this earth. Not going to college did not even scratch the fate to what they were destined to be.

We all know about the founder of Microsoft, thanks to him, we are using our computers so smoothly. Bill Gates, as most of us know was a Harvard drop out, and it was from that situation, where he came up with this operating system for computers, which now seems inevitable and irreplaceable.

One of the top most fashion designers in the world, Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and CEO of Polo Ralph Lauren - a luxury lifestyle company. He was a business school drop out, then was a part of the US army. After that, he even worked as a salesman before he came up with his necktie store in 1967.

This super prosperous pop singer, songwriter, and actor never went to college, as he started working at a very young age. He came up due to his sheer talent and hard work and vision. Nicknamed the King of Pop, the maestro has contributed immensely to the entertainment industry. As of 2007, his net worth was estimated to be USD 236 million.

College was not a priority for this leading woman entrepreneur after she got married. Yes, that was Mary Kay Ash, founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics Inc. She started Mary Kay Cosmetic Inc with just USD 5,000. She passed away in 2001, but not before she had made her mark on the cosmetics market in the USA and worldwide.

Who does not know Halle Berry? The 'Cat Woman' never went to college and has still won an Oscar. This actress is also a spokesperson for Revlon Cosmetics and has given excellent performances in Hollywood movies.

We get to use fantastic laptops and notebooks and computers, thanks to this man called Michael Dell, founder and CEO of Dell, Inc. Imagine, he stopped going to school at the age of 19! He, according to 2009 figures has assets worth a whopping $12.3 billion.

The pioneer of the assembly line car manufacturing, Henry Ford never completed his high school education. Instead, he started Ford Motor Company, one of the largest automobile companies in the world. A perfect and simply amazing example of one of the most successful people without college education.

Andrew Jackson was the 6th president of the United States. In addition to that, he was a Congressman, a military governor, Army Commander, and (phew!) finally an attorney.

She is America's most loved chef. Rachel Domenica Ray, an author and a TV personality, never had proper culinary training and never went to a cookery school.

He is the first ever billionaire that USA had and is the richest man in history. Standard Oil Company was his brainchild, and he revolutionized the petroleum industry totally. Again, he was apparently a high school drop out.

He was a billionaire and Indian businessman and founder of Reliance Industries Limited. He, shockingly, never attended high school. He is one of the most potent examples of such people in India.

The pretty, petite and happy go lucky Maria from the movie Sound of Music Oscar winning actress, singer, author barely made it till middle school. She has been honored with awards, like the Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, People's Choice Award, Theater World Award, Screen Actors Guild, and an Academy Award.

Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar is the God of cricket in India. He almost attained an unbeatable and legendary status just at the age of 36. He never went to college. He is compared to the likes of Don Bradman and Brian Lara and other cricketing greats!

There are umpteen personalities like them who never attended college, but still made their lives enviable! If you know what you want to do and you are good at it, no matter what happens, the circumstances, you will excel. However, do remember, this does not imply that you can achieve success by just dropping out.

A good degree is essential everywhere. If you have a good vision, talent, and hard work, you will progress anyway. Always keep in mind, that there are instances of rags to riches, however, one has to start with some rags!