But many of the one-percent started off with conventional first jobs.
Goldman Sachs' CEO Lloyd Blankfein, for example, grew up in the projects and made extra money at a concession stand in Yankee Stadium. Warren Buffett built his savings as a kid by delivering newspapers. And before she found her calling in media, Oprah Winfrey worked at a corner store.
We'll take a look at 15 highly successful people who made the most of, but weren't defined by, a modest first job.