From Taylor Swift to tech tycoons: The first billionaires in every field

Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become. A billion-dollar status seems unreal until it is achieved. But behind that number, there are real people who did something no one else had done before. These folks were the first in their world to cross that $1 billion mark, and they didn’t just get lucky. They built something big, and they got there before the rest.

And fewer than 5,000 people can call themselves a billionaire, and these 11 names are in one of those lists.

John D. Rockefeller

Way back in 1916, before most people even dreamed of such wealth, John D. Rockefeller became the first billionaire in history. His money came from oil. He built Standard Oil from the ground up, and his name practically became a symbol of American wealth.

Bill Gates

In 1987, a tech genius named Bill Gates became the first billionaire in the world of computers. He co-founded Microsoft and made personal computers a part of everyday life. Back then, when technology wasn’t considered important, but still he made it.

Jeff Bezos

Then there’s Jeff Bezos, who started Amazon as a simple online bookstore. Sounds small, right? But by 1998, he became the first internet billionaire, all because he saw something in the internet that others didn’t. And we all know where Amazon is now.

George Lucas

George Lucas hit the $1 billion mark in 1997. His Star Wars universe wasn’t just a film, it became a massive business. Toys, games, merch, you name it, he made money from it.

Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart is on the list too. In 1999, she became the first self-made female billionaire. She took cooking and home design and turned them into a brand that people trusted. It wasn’t easy, but she made it look effortless.

Michael Jordan

The NBA Greatest Of All Time, Michael Jordan. He wasn’t just the greatest basketball player, he also became the first athlete billionaire in 2014. His Air Jordan deal with Nike made history. His influence still dominates the game and the sneaker world.

Jay-Z

Jay-Z made headlines in 2019 as the first hip-hop billionaire. Sure, his music made him famous, but his business moves in fashion, liquor, and streaming made him rich.

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift, who did something no other artist had done before. In 2023, she became the first musician billionaire from just music. No beauty brand, no alcohol line, just tours, albums, and owning her songs. That’s rare in today’s industry.

Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss

In the world of crypto, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss (the twins) made it big. They believed in Bitcoin when everyone else was calling it a scam. By 2019, they were the first Bitcoin billionaires, proving that risky bets sometimes pay off.

Robert L. Johnson

Robert L. Johnson made history in 2001 as the first Black billionaire. He founded BET (Black Entertainment Television), which gave a platform to Black voices and stories. His success wasn’t just business, it was cultural.

MrBeast

Finally, we have MrBeast - aka Jimmy Donaldson. In 2024, he became the first YouTube billionaire. He turned filming wild challenges and giving away money into a full-blown empire. He didn’t just go viral; he built something no other YouTuber had.

These personalities didn’t just get rich. They led the way. They changed the game, and they are the first in their respective field to achieve that $1 billion mark.