Success Has No Age Limit: These People Didn’t Get Their Big Break Until Later in Life

Considering the stories of CEOs like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg, who made their big breaks at a young age, one might conclude that success only comes early in life. However, as much as we often celebrate under-20 CEOs, most successful business founders and innovators are older. This article is dedicated to five people who found success later in life. 

Chaleo Yoovidhya

Although Chaleo Yoovidhya’s name isn’t so popular, the product he invented is renowned globally. Chaleo decided to start his company, TC Pharmaceuticals, in Bangkok after several years of struggling in a poor farming family.

When he met Austrian businessman Dietrich Mateschitz, his story changed. When Chaleo’s tonic drink, Redbull, was marketed to international markets, he hit the gold mine at age 61. With an estimated net worth of 5 billion dollars, you’ll agree that his fortune was worth the wait.

Harland David Sanders

Harland David Sanders lost so many job opportunities; the most notable was his position as a lawyer after a brawl with his client in a courtroom. However, his refusal to stay down made him continue trying out different things.

While he worked at a service station in Corbin, Kentucky, his special chicken recipe became popular. He rebuilt the location as a 140-seat restaurant and motel after a fire. At age 62, he franchised Kentucky Fried Chicken; today, KFC has over 18,800 outlets in 118 different countries and territories.

Kris Jenner

Kris Jenner was just a regular woman before she became the momager and businesswoman we know her as today. Kris didn’t get her big break until she met with Hollywood producer Ryan Seacrest at age 52.

In 2007, Jenner pitched the idea for a reality show about her family to a Hollywood producer. The show “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” became a huge success. Kris also manages her children’s beauty and fashion businesses.

Julia Child

Most internationally renowned founders and innovators became successful after some sort of career change; Julia Child isn’t an exception. She worked in media and advertising before her big break.

In 1961, when she was 50, Julia Child wrote her first cookbook. This cookbook became so popular that it launched her career as a celebrity chef- today, famous chefs still refer to her recipes.

Wally Blume

Wally Blume was in the dairy business for a long time; he was probably happy with working for others and his average pay for some time. However, he eventually decided to change the narrative in the 1990s- thank goodness he did.

Wally started his ice cream company, Denali Flavors, in 1995. When he started the company, he was 57 years old. In 2009, Denali Flavors reported an $80 million revenue- not bad for a late start, is it?