Celebrity Apprentice Australia CEO Lord Alan Sugar dropped out of school at 16-years-old. Now, over 50 years on, he has an estimated net worth of over $1.7 billion.
But how did that young Hackney lad go from zero to absolute hero (and head of the boardroom)?
Born in London in 1947, Alan lived in a council flat with his family, including his father who was a tailor.
Once he was old enough, he began working at a supermarket to help pay the bills until he left school to pursue civil service as a statistician at the Ministry of Education.
Ever the businessman, he also began a side-hustle selling radio aerials for cars. He also on-sold a number of other electronic goods out of a van he’d hired with savings from his first job.
At 21, Lord Alan went on to start what would become his biggest business venture to date: Amstrad.
Also known as Alan Michael Sugar Trading, the consumer electronics company initially kicked off as a general import/export and wholesale business.
It then went on to specialise in consumer electronics.
Lord Alan Sugar Was Knighted for His Business Ventures
Amstrad was once valued at a mega £1.2 billion (that’s over $2.1 billion). However, after facing some hardships, the former Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club offloaded his empire to British media conglomerate Sky for £125 million.
Lord Alan Sugar’s other business babies include Amscreen, the UK’s largest digital media owner, and property investment firm Amsprop.
He was also chairman of Viglen, a manufacturer specialising in computers, networks and solutions, until 2014.
In 2000, the business mogul was knighted for his services to business. Among his achievements, he also holds two honorary Doctorate of Science degrees, awarded by City University and Brunel University, respectively.
Ever the philanthropist, Alan also works alongside charities such as Great Ormond Street Hospital and Jewish Care.
For reality TV fans, you may recognise him from the UK normie business series, The Apprentice. The boardroom king headed up the show for 14 seasons, dating back to 2005.
As for his personal life, Lord Alan Sugar has been married to Ann Simons since 1968, with whom he shares three children and seven grandchildren.
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