Good Bad Billionaire

Analysis of how billionaires built their wealth and legacies AI summary

BBC World Service Visit website › Business · EN · 112 episodes · latest 2026-11-09

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What it is about

How did the richest people on the planet make their billions? New episodes include: Khaby Lame, MrBeast, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sheryl Sandberg and Gautam Adani.Make up your minds whether you think they are good, bad or just another billionaire. In each episode, BBC Business Editor Simon Jack and journalist and author Zing Tsjeng analyse the lives of the super-rich, and try to understand what motivates billionaires like Elon Musk, Kim Kardashian, Tyler Perry and Oprah Winfrey.New season: From singing superstar Beyoncé, to footballing legend Cristiano Ronaldo, Simon and Zing will rate their wealth, power, legacy and associated controversies, putting them to the test with a playful, totally unscientific scorecard. Then they hand the verdict over to you: are they good, bad, or simply billionaires?Get in touch by email and let us know what you think! The contact details are at the end of these show notes.Ever wondered how Taylor Swift went from country singer to money-spinner? How tennis ace Roger Federer turned sporting prowess into amazing business opportunities? Or how Mr Beast and Khaby Lame became some of the wealthiest people on the planet by posting on YouTube and TikTok? Trawl through the archives to find out how Selena Gomez went from a child Disney star to a mega-magnate of makeup, and how Martha Stewart, the “original lifestyle influencer”, became one of the most successful women in business.We explore the life of British inventor Sir James Dyson, and learn about some of the big names behind Snapchat, Minecraft, Marvel, ChatGPT, Google and Amazon, which shape the world we live in today.In a special season, we have also told the stories of the pioneers who helped build the United States of America: the world’s first billionaire John D Rockefeller, motor magnate Henry Ford, the aviator and filmmaker Howard Hughes, Walmart founder Sam Walton, and Hetty Green - once dubbed “The Witch of Wall Street”.It's not just how billionaires made their money; it's what they did with it next.So, what do you think? Make up your own mind. Are they good, bad, or just another billionaire? Let us know your thoughts, and we may include your comments and suggestions in a future episode. If you do not wish for your comments, first name or location to be read out, please say that in your email or message, or mark it confidential.Email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or drop us a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176.To find out more about the show and read our privacy notice, visit www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire

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(C) BBC 2026

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Latest episodes

Nick Candy: Property brother

2026-11-09 · 38 min

Nick Candy, alongside his brother Christian, climbed London’s property ladder to the heights of luxury. Together they have sold some of the world’s most expensive real estate.BBC business editor Simon Jack and…
Sir Mo Ibrahim: The mobile phone mogul

2026-11-02 · 38 min

Sir Mo Ibrahim quit his job in telecoms and built a global consultancy from the dining room of his home in London. His next move was to help connect a continent.Journalist Zing Tsjeng and BBC business editor Simon Jack…
Jack Dorsey: Twitter squared

2026-10-26 · 42 min

Jack Dorsey founded a social media behemoth, but made more cash from card payments. He built Twitter, but was removed as CEO, before going on to found fintech firm Square.BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist…
Khaby Lame: The King of TikTok

2026-10-19 · 41 min

The pandemic hit and Khaby Lame lost his factory job. Less than three years later, he was the world’s most-followed person on TikTok.Khaby Lame has turned his silent online persona and trademark shrug into a global…
Gautam Adani: The multiple mogul

2026-10-12 · 44 min

Gautam Adani’s businesses span almost every part of life in India. From energy to food, ports to mining, and drinks to weapons, the Adani group has widespread influence over millions of people day to day. From his early…
Nelson Peltz: Junk bond activist

2026-10-05 · 45 min

Nelson Peltz made his money via some contentious methods - junk bonds, corporate raids, leveraged buyouts and activist investing - but he is most famous because his daughter Nicola married a Beckham.BBC business editor…
Prince Alwaleed bin Talal: The billionaire royal

2026-09-28 · 39 min

Prince Alwaleed bin Talal is a billionaire Saudi prince who insists he’s self-made. He champions women's rights, yet is a member of one of the world’s most traditional ruling families. He built his fortune betting on…
Sheryl Sandberg: Chief operator

2026-09-21 · 39 min

As COO of Facebook, then Meta, Sheryl Sandberg is a rarity among billionaires. She made her money as an employee rather than as a founder, creator, or company owner.BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing…
Lord Sugar: From entrepreneur to Apprentice

2026-09-14 · 45 min

It's a classic British rags-to-riches story: Alan Michael Sugar went from selling car aerials from the back of his minivan to becoming one of the most recognisable faces of UK business. First with his consumer electrics…
The Batista brothers: Meat and money

2026-08-03 · 39 min

From a small Brazilian butcher’s shop to the world’s largest meat empire, Wesley and Joesley Batista built a global powerhouse feeding millions every day. Journalist Zing Tsjeng and BBC business editor Simon Jack trace…

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Publisher details

Owner: BBC
Oldest episode in feed: 08/2023 · over 3 years
Typical length: 43 min
Format: Episodic Newest first, episodes stand alone

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