10 Ivy League Alumni Who Made It Big

10 Ivy League Alumni Who Made It Big

[Source - Robert Barker (UREL)]

Ivy League schools are considered prestigious educational institutions in the United States. These universities underscore a selected group of elite academic institutions. Alumnis from these universities grow up to be industrialists & eminent business tycoons. Columbia University, Harvard University, & Cornell University are some of them, to name a few. The Ivy League is a collection of eight universities that have sustained a reputation of excellent education, top-ranked academicians, & the best in-campus environment any educational institute can provide. All these universities have created the best entrepreneurs, politicians, & authors, etc the world can ever have.

Here we bring you a list of these noteworthy personalities:

1. Warren Buffet: This person needs no introduction, does he? An American business mogul, elite billionaire, philanthropist & investor. Buffet is the Chairperson & CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, an MNC nestled in Omaha. According to Forbes, as of February 17, 2025, his net worth is approximately USD 149.6 billion, placing him among the world’s top 10 wealthiest men. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1951 and his MS in Economics from Columbia Business School in 1951. This one has to be on the top of the Ivy League list.

[Source - Inc. Magazine]

2. Bill Gates: Another technology expert, the co-founder of Microsoft, began his studies at Harvard in 1973 but opted out in 1975 to establish Microsoft with his childhood friend, Paul Allen. He disrupted the computer sector to another level. His philanthropic work has exceptional impact on health & education through his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

3. Mark Zuckerberg: Social media got its recognition because of Mark Zuckerberg. The co-founder & CEO of Facebook (now Meta) has been to Harvard University. He also opted out in 2004 to dedicate his vision of bringing the world together. He gave us a platform where people can be in touch from thousand miles away, share information & also be in touch.

4. Ratan Tata: A business maverick, visionary, & philanthropist celebrated for his foresight to disrupt the Indian economy. Graduating from Cornell University, he pursued architecture & later sharpened his managerial acumen by completing the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School in 1975. Since then, there was no looking back for him. The Ivy League list is incomplete without these names.

[Source - LinkedIn]

5. Lynn Martin: An American marketing Executive, computer programmer, & Columbia University notable alumni. She is the 68th president of New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) as of 3rd January, 2022. She initiated her career in finance in 2001 at the London International Financial Futures & Options Exchange. She has headed the ICE’s fixed income & data services since the acquisition of Interactive Data by Intercontinental Exchange (ICE). She was ranked 45th on Forbes World’s 100 Most Powerful Women list.

6. Barack Obama: One of the most prestigious political figures in recent times, Barack Obama earned is law degree from Harvard Law School in 1991. He made significant moves as the 44th American President & was also the first African-American president.

[Source - Joe Wrinn_Harvard University News Office]

7. Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Ruth was a catalyst in American law and a flagbearer of justice & equality She graduated from Harvard Law School in 1959 & became a US Supreme Court Justice, renowned for her advocacy for women’s rights & feminism. Her legacy is of unwavering commitment to justice & human dignity & integrity.

8. Meryl Streep: The ever-gorgeous Meryl Streep earned her MFA at Yale School of Drama in 1975. She graduated a year later of Alien actress Sigourney Weaver, who got the same degree. A second graduate of Yale in the film fraternity is late Vincent Price, with a degree in 1933. A lot of experts from the financial & entrepreneurial world have been a part of Yale’s famous alumni.

9. Franklin D Roosevelt: A Columbia University appreciable alumni & USA’s 32nd President, he is fondly referred to as FDR. He is so renowned as he was the most extended serving President of the USA. He got elected four times and was known for creating policies to deal with the Great Depression and unemployment. His significant contributions in crafting major regulatory reforms made him a Columbia University notable alumnus. He can be said to be an overachiever in this list of Ivy League mavericks.

10. James P Gorman: He is a notable Ivy League notable alumni & was a past CEO and Chairman at Morgan Stanley. Till December 2024, he was the Executive Chairman. He opted for The Walt Disney Company as a board director in February 2024, contributing to CEO succession planning. He was also the Director of the Council on Foreign Relations, Co-Chair of the Board of Overseers of Columbia Business School, & a Trustee of Columbia University.

Why are these Stalwarts Important?

Life isn’t easy for anyone. All of us know the above-mentioned industry wizards have made it big in their respective industries. Being a part of Ivy League institutions comes with several benefits like academic excellence, exclusive extracurricular activities, & vast professional networking opportunities. These individuals help us cultivate critical thinking, innovation, & excellence. These are individuals who constantly push boundaries to MAKE IT BIG in the industry. Whether e-commerce, or political leadership, we have these stalwarts from every area of interest.

These stalwarts help us recognize that discipline, vision, & the ability to think ahead. By going through their achievements, we embrace lifelong learning, pursue excellence, & challenge the status quo. It’s not that they were privileged in any way. Even if they were, there is a constant eye of the society on them to continue the legacy of their family. A lot of celebrities, business successors, & political successors go through the pressure of maintaining their stature as it was in the yesteryears. So, remember that wherever they are, it wasn’t a cakewalk for them too. Hard work, discipline, & consistency have no alternative.

Conclusion

These are the top 10 Ivy League alumni who made it big. Whether in business, politics, performing arts, or any other field of work, there is sheer excellence in their jobs. No compromise when it comes to giving your best. Being a business magazine, we love to read such inspiring content & share it as well. From groundbreaking discoveries to transformative leadership, their contributions span across disciplines & generations, leaving a profound and lasting impact on society. This is the impact we like to share via our blogs & keep on inspiring upcoming generations of business to be go-getters. We hope the younger generation takes some inspiration & makes it big. Stay inspired, stay visionary. This is Visionary Vogues, signing off!

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