Good Bad Billionaire cover art
Podcast · 110 episodes

Good Bad Billionaire, page 3

by BBC World Service · English

How did the richest people on the planet make their billions? New episodes include: Sir Paul McCartney, Roger Federer, MrBeast, Luana Lopes Lara, Beyoncé, Cristiano Ronaldo and Steven Spielberg. Make up your minds whether you think they are good, bad or just another billionaire. In each episode, 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 Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey. New season: From singing superstar Beyoncé, to footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Simon and Zing will rate their wealth, power, legacy and associated controversies, putting them to the test with a playful, totally unscientific scorecard. Then they hand the verdict over to you: are they good, bad, or simply billionaires? 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 tennis ace Roger Federer turned sporting prowess into amazing business opportunities? Or how Mr Beast and Khaby Lame became some of the wealthiest people on the planet by posting on YouTube and TikTok? 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 Amazon, 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 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

All episodes, page 3

Eike Batista: Golden grifterIn this episode of *Good Bad Billionaire*, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the rise and fall of Eike Batista, once Brazil’s richest person and the seventh richest in the world.2 Jun 2025 · 40 min
LeBron James: King of the courtThe podcast analyzes the lives and fortunes of some of the world's wealthiest individuals, exploring their successes, business ethics, and the impact of their wealth.26 May 2025 · 48 min
Masayoshi Son: High-tech gamblerThe podcast *Good Bad Billionaire* explores the lives and fortunes of the world's wealthiest individuals, analyzing their business strategies, ethics, and philanthropic efforts.19 May 2025 · 45 min
Strive Masiyiwa: Connecting a continentThe *Good Bad Billionaire* podcast analyzes the lives of the world's wealthiest individuals, focusing on how they acquired their fortunes, their business ethics, philanthropy, and their impact on…12 May 2025 · 42 min
Ike Perlmutter: Marvel’s empire builderThis podcast analyzes the lives and motives of billionaires, exploring their paths to wealth, philanthropy, business ethics, and public perceptions.5 May 2025 · 47 min
Selena Gomez: Actress, singer, beauty mogulIn this episode, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the life and rise of Selena Gomez, who has recently become one of the youngest self-made billionaires at the age of 32, largely due to her…28 Apr 2025 · 48 min
Orlando Bravo: Tech dealmakerOrlando Bravo, the first billionaire from Puerto Rico, made his fortune in private equity focusing on technology.21 Apr 2025 · 47 min
Vince McMahon: Wrestling's ringmasterIn this episode of the *Good Bad Billionaire* podcast, BBC Business Editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng delve into the life of Vince McMahon, the iconic figure behind World Wrestling…14 Apr 2025 · 49 min
Markus Persson: Minecraft makerSimon Jack (BBC Business Editor) & Zing Tsjeng (Journalist and Author)7 Apr 2025 · 46 min
John de Mol: Big Brother’s daddyIn this episode of the *Good Bad Billionaire* podcast, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the life and career of John de Mol, a media tycoon celebrated for revolutionizing reality television…31 Mar 2025 · 41 min
Sir James Dyson: Sucking up the cashThe episode dives into the life of British inventor Sir James Dyson, focusing on how his early struggles and innovative ideas led to the creation of the iconic bagless vacuum cleaner.24 Mar 2025 · 46 min
Martha Stewart: The original lifestyle influencerThe Original Lifestyle Influencer17 Mar 2025 · 51 min
Encore - Chuck Feeney: All dutyThis episode revisits the story of Charles "Chuck" Feeney, a billionaire renowned for his philanthropy.17 Feb 2025 · 38 min
Encore - Taylor Swift: SwiftonomicsThe podcast investigates the lives of the wealthiest individuals worldwide, analyzing their financial journeys, ethical implications of their wealth, and philanthropic efforts.3 Feb 2025 · 53 min
Peter Thiel: Paypal mafiosoThis podcast analyzes the lives, fortunes, and philosophies of the world's wealthiest individuals, challenging listeners to determine if these billionaires are good, bad, or just another billionaire.2 Dec 2024 · 47 min
Doris Fisher: Don’t mind The GapThis podcast explores how the wealthiest individuals on the planet have amassed their fortunes, examining their motivations, ethics, and the impact of their wealth on society.25 Nov 2024 · 42 min
Carlos Slim Helú: Telecom titanIn this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the life and wealth of Carlos Slim Helú, the Mexican telecom magnate.18 Nov 2024 · 46 min
Roman Abramovich: Premier League oligarchIn this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the life and career of Roman Abramovich, the billionaire known for his ownership of Chelsea Football Club and his…11 Nov 2024 · 40 min
Mukesh Ambani: Asia’s richest personIn this episode of the "Good Bad Billionaire" podcast, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng delve into the life of Mukesh Ambani, the richest person in Asia, with a net worth of approximately $115…4 Nov 2024 · 43 min
Patrice Motsepe: Mining magnateIn this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the life and career of Patrice Motsepe, South Africa's first black billionaire.28 Oct 2024 · 41 min
Jack Ma: China's ecommerce CEOIn this episode of Good Bad Billionaire, hosts Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the intriguing journey of Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba and one of the richest men in the world, with a net worth…21 Oct 2024 · 43 min
Yvon Chouinard: A $3 billion giveawaySimon Jack (BBC Business Editor) & Zing Tsjeng (Journalist and Author)14 Oct 2024 · 48 min
Whitney Wolfe Herd: Dating app entrepreneurIn this episode, Simon Jack and Zing Tsjeng explore the story of Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble and co-founder of Tinder.7 Oct 2024 · 42 min
Aliko Dangote: Africa’s richest personSimon Jack (BBC Business Editor) and Zing Tsjeng (Journalist and Author)30 Sep 2024 · 38 min