Articles Written by Mark Kurlyandchik
A Soviet-born, Detroit-bred journalist and writer, Mark is currently a student at UC-Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism, where he reports on the food and businesses of San Francisco's Mission District. Before furthering his studies, he was a senior editor at a monthly general-interest magazine in the Motor City. He lives in the Bay Area with his wife and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Penelope. Follow him on Google+.
Jeffrey Skoll Earned Billions As eBay's First Employee… Now He's Trying To Save The World
Being eBay's first employee turned Jeffrey Skoll into a multi-billionaire in 1998. He has spent the last two decades trying to save the world.
How Paris Hilton Cost Her Family $4.5 Billion
Paris Hilton's billionaire grandfather was reportedly so embarrassed by how she has acted in public, that he changed the terms his will to leave 97% of his fortune to charity.
How The Invention Of Gatorade Generated Hundreds Of Millions In Royalties For The University of Florida
In 1965, a medical professor at The University of Florida was challenged by the school's football coach to find a better way to keep his players hydrated. The result? Gatorade. And hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties for both the school and the professor!
Despite Earning $25+ Million Per Year, George R.R. Martin Still Lives A Surprisingly Simple And Frugal Lifestyle
Despite earning $15 million per year from HBO alone, George R.R. Martin still drives a beat up old Mazda. Other celebrities may want to pay attention and follow Mr. Martin. I'm looking at you Floyd Mayweather…
Crazy Russian Billionaire Spotlight: Roustam Tariko… The Vodka King
The rags to riches story of Roustam Tariko, the founder of Russian Standard Vodka and Russian Standard Bank.
How Oprah Winfrey Literally Rose From Rags To Multi-Billion Dollar Riches
The only thing more incredible than Oprah Winfrey's spectacular wealth and annual income, is the fact that it all came from nothing. A literal rags to riches story.
The Absolutely Fascinating Life Story Of Self-Made Billionaire Elon Musk
He is a self-made multi-billionaire whose $7.7 billion personal fortune has increased more than 200% in the last 12 months alone! This is the absolutely fascinating life story of Elon Musk.
Virgin Records Once Paid Mariah Carey Millions to Go Away
In 2001, Virgin Records signed Mariah Carey to one of the biggest contracts in record-industry history. A few years later, they essentially paid her to go away. Was that the right call? You be the judge.
How John D. Rockefeller Became The Richest Person In Modern History
John D. Rockefeller started from nothing and ended up with $350 billion. That's enough to make him the richest person in modern history. Here's how he did it…
Shaquille O'Neal: From NBA Superstar To $400 Million Business Tycoon And Future Billionaire
Shaquille O'Neal earned $300 million in salary alone during his career in the NBA. Today, he is on pace to earn much more than that off the court thanks to a burgeoning business empire.