Researching successful former foster children
October 19, 2011 10:54 AM Subscribe
Can you name any very successful businesspeople who were once in foster care?
So far all I am coming up with are famous athletes and actors, but no businessmen/CEOs etc. I've checked Wikipedia and sites like http://www.fosterclub.com/famous/ but I am hoping the hive mind has so other leads. Thanks in advance.
So far all I am coming up with are famous athletes and actors, but no businessmen/CEOs etc. I've checked Wikipedia and sites like http://www.fosterclub.com/famous/ but I am hoping the hive mind has so other leads. Thanks in advance.
Tom Monaghan, who founded Domino's Pizza, was placed in an orphanage for several years of his childhood before his mother was able to care for him again.
posted by Tylwyth Teg at 11:01 AM on October 19, 2011
posted by Tylwyth Teg at 11:01 AM on October 19, 2011
Buck Brannaman, the original Horse Whisperer, spent a number of years in foster care. His website.
posted by argonauta at 11:04 AM on October 19, 2011
posted by argonauta at 11:04 AM on October 19, 2011
Where are you getting that Steve Jobs was in foster care? From what I know (including that link, although it is on a foster care related site) he was adopted by his parents from his birth mother soon after he was born.
posted by crabintheocean at 11:14 AM on October 19, 2011
posted by crabintheocean at 11:14 AM on October 19, 2011
If you're accepting adoptees, there's Dave Thomas, founder of the Wendy's chain. Adopted at 6 weeks, adoptive mother died when he was 5 years old, bounced around a bit before landing with his grandmother at age 12.
posted by easily confused at 11:25 AM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by easily confused at 11:25 AM on October 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Jeff Bezos was never in foster care, but he was raised by his biological mother and adoptive father (who himself had been in foster care). He also has adopted kids and is famous for supporting adoption-related charities.
posted by miyabo at 1:25 PM on October 19, 2011
posted by miyabo at 1:25 PM on October 19, 2011
Ralph de la Vega is the president and CEO of AT&T Mobility. He immigrated here as a child but his parents were not able to get into the country, so he lived with another family until they were able to get in. I believe he talks about it in his book.
posted by soelo at 3:14 PM on October 19, 2011
posted by soelo at 3:14 PM on October 19, 2011
Do children's homes count? Fashion designer Bruce Oldfield was brought up by Barnardo's.
posted by ComfySofa at 11:28 AM on October 20, 2011
posted by ComfySofa at 11:28 AM on October 20, 2011
Response by poster: Children's homes and orphanages definitely count (for these purposes). Being adopted as an infant doesn't. Thanks everyone!
posted by chelseagirl at 6:53 PM on October 20, 2011
posted by chelseagirl at 6:53 PM on October 20, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Perplexity at 10:58 AM on October 19, 2011