Alan Sugar

Wealthy entrepreneur and television host Alan Sugar is the epitome of the self-made man. He originated from the town of Hackney in the East End of London and his family lived in public housing. Sugar abruptly withdrew from school at the age of 16 and married his girlfriend at 21. After doing numerous odd-jobs, Sugar created an electronics company in 1968, and began reaping major profits in the 1980s. His other business ventures include an aviation company, investment firm, and an IT service providing company. He entered television by sporadically producing television shows through the 1990s. Owing to his reputation as being one of the wealthiest men in the U.K. and having a tough personality, Sugar starred in the reality show "The Apprentice" in 2005, this highly popular and award-winning replica of the American edition featuring Donald Trump. Sugar was nominated for a BAFTA Award for his involvement and the program was picked up for another season. A spin-off series starring Sugar was created, called "Junior Apprentice," in which a group of business hungry teenagers compete for a fund of £25,000 to aid their business venture. In 2000, he was knighted for his service to business and in 2009 was appointed a member of the House of Lords in Parliament.