Interesting News Bites

10 Inspiring Rags-to-Riches Stories

In a time of rising inequality and sluggish growth, rags to riches stories are harder than ever to come by. Indeed, many of the richest people in the world were born into their wealth.

That makes it even more essential that we remember the people who started with nothing, and through hard work, talent, grit, and a bit of luck, managed to rise to the very top.

These 10 stories remind us that it's possible to overcome just about anything, from parents passing away, to extreme poverty, and more.

Maria Das Gracas Silva Foster escaped a Brazilian shantytown to become Petrobras' first female CEO

10 Inspiring Rags-to-Riches Stories (cont'd)

Francois Pinault was a high school dropout who now leads luxury goods group PPR

Human Barbie Valeria Lukyanova Opens Up to V Magazine

Looking at the photograph of Valeria Lukyanova, above, you might wonder if this Ukrainian internet star really exists outside of the strange land of YouTube

Calgary mother Jessica Stilwell’s housework strike hits a chord worldwide

Maine Girl Returns Lost Money, Gains Awesome Reward

Ask yourself honestly: You find a big wad of cash on the ground, there are no surveillance cameras in sight and nobody is watching you, what do you do? Jennifer Jacobson, a stay-at-home mom in Maine admits that she had to think about it a for a minute when her eight-year-old discovered $4000 on the sidewalk by a Sam's Club. As for her daughter Abbie? "It never crossed her mind to keep it," mom tells Shine.