Military veterans throughout history are most often honored for both their unwavering courage and sacrifice. Some would also then carry those very same qualities that set them apart back into their civilian lives. This inevitably transformed them into unforgettable success stories.
From the generals who became political powerhouses to the veterans who built global business empires, these 15 individuals proved that courage experienced in war translates into vision in peace.
1. Dwight D. Eisenhower, $8 million
Eisenhower’s leadership as the Supreme Allied Commander throughout WWII earned him widespread global respect. Both his presidency as well as his bestselling memories also brought him much financial success. Then, his influence was able to shape a post-war Americ and also secure lucrative speaking engagements on top of more publishing deals.
2. George Washington, $539 million present day conversion
As Commander of the Continental Army, Washington led the American colonies to victory in the Revolutionary War. After becoming the first U.S. President, he amassed vast land holdings and wealth through agriculture and real estate, making him one of the richest Americans of his time.
3. Sam Walton, $23 billion
A WWII Army veteran, Walton applied military discipline and logistics to retail. He founded Walmart in 1962, revolutionizing discount shopping and building one of the largest fortunes in American history.
4. Howard Hughes, $900 million present day conversio
Hughes contributed to wartime aviation through Hughes Aircraft during WWII. His innovations in aerospace, film production, and oil exploration made him one of the most eccentric billionaires of the 20th century.
5. J. Paul Getty, $10 billion to $26 billion present day conversion
Getty served during WWII and later expanded his family’s oil business into a global empire. Known for his frugality and art collection, he became one of the richest men in history.
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6. Robert McDonald, $15.6 to $34 million
A U.S. Army officer and West Point graduate, McDonald transitioned into corporate leadership. He became CEO of Procter & Gamble, overseeing one of the world’s largest consumer goods companies.
7. Fred Smith, $5.3 to $6 billion
Smith served as a Marine in Vietnam, where he learned the value of precision and logistics. He founded FedEx in 1971, transforming global shipping and becoming a billionaire entrepreneur.
8. Paul Newman, $50 to $80 million
Newman served in the U.S. Navy during WWII before launching a legendary acting career. He founded Newman’s Own, a food brand that generated hundreds of millions in revenue, most of which was donated to charity, while still building personal wealth.
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9. Bob Parsons, $4 to $4.1 billion
A decorated Marine who served in Vietnam, Parsons used his GI Bill to study computing. He founded GoDaddy, a domain registrar and web hosting giant, and became a billionaire tech mogul.
10. Charles Schwab, $13.5 billion
After serving in the U.S. Army, Schwab entered the financial world. He founded Charles Schwab Corporation, democratizing investing and building a multibillion-dollar financial services empire.
11. Henry Ford II, $250 million
Ford served in the U.S. Navy during WWII before taking over the family business. Under his leadership, Ford Motor Company expanded globally and became a symbol of American industrial power.
12. Ross Perot, $4.1 billion
A former Navy officer, Perot founded Electronic Data Systems, pioneering IT services for corporations and governments. He later sold the company for billions and became a prominent political figure and philanthropist.
13. Ted Turner, $2.8 billion
Turner served in the U.S. Coast Guard before founding CNN, the first 24-hour news network. His media empire and savvy investments made him one of the wealthiest and most influential figures in broadcasting.
14. George Steinbrenner, $1.1 to $1.4 billion
Steinbrenner served in the U.S. Air Force before acquiring the New York Yankees. He turned the team into a global brand, generating billions in revenue and becoming a titan of sports business.
15. Richard DeVos, $5.1 billion
DeVos served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and later co-founded Amway. His business acumen and conservative activism made him one of America’s wealthiest entrepreneurs.
