The First Billion-Dollar Success Story: Andrew Carnegie

By the late 1880s, Carnegie had established himself as the world’s largest manufacturer of raw iron, steel-rails and coke. After purchasing rival Homestead Steel Works in 1888, Carnegie integrated his assets together under the Carnegie Steel Company. Worth an estimated $25 million, Carnegie became the proud owner of the world’s largest steel company.

“You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb,” said Andrew Carnegie. Indeed, Carnegie was more than willing to climb that ladder, reaching new heights of success in his adopted home of America. As founder of the multi-million dollar Carnegie Steel Company and one of the most generous philanthropists in history, Carnegie established his legacy as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in history.