AGE 96: Kirk Kerkorian

Founder of MGM Resorts International

What makes him powerful: Kerkorian stepped down as director in 2011 of MGM Resorts International, the largest casino operator on the Las Vegas strip. It counts the Bellagio, the Mirage, and the MGM Grand among its iconic properties.

Kerkorian, an eighth-grade dropout and World War II fighter pilot trainer, remains the largest shareholder and is worth an estimated $3.3 billion.