This Is What Jeff Bezos Used To Drive And Here's Why
It is easy to imagine the world’s wealthiest people spent their youth cruising around in Italian supercars, but the reality is often much more relatable and a lot less glamorous. Most billionaires started their journeys in beat-up sedans and reliable hatchbacks that were chosen for their price tags rather than status symbols. These modest vehicles served as mobile offices and reliable transportation during long hours spent building empires from the ground up.
1. Jeff Bezos’s 1994 Honda Accord
Believe it or not, even after Amazon’s IPO, the world traveler clung to his Honda for years. It has been said that it was a good car and got him where he needed to go without fuss. Can you blame him though? He is literally Jeff Bezos.
User Model Citizen on en.wikipedia on Wikimedia
2. Mark Zuckerberg’s Acura TSX
Facebook’s creator has never been one to flaunt wealth with fancy cars. Zuckerberg drove this basic luxury sedan for years because it served his needs. He wanted something secure and low-key that would not attract unnecessary attention.
3. Warren Buffett’s 2006 Cadillac DTS
Warren Buffett is one of the richest people who has ever lived, and he sure does not spend like it. Buffett drove this Cadillac for years before upgrading at the request of his daughter. He always preferred a reliable American car that gave comfortable rides without costing too much.
4. Elon Musk’s 1978 BMW 320i
Even before Elon Musk was an entrepreneur, he was buying junk. He purchased this old BMW for only a couple hundred bucks. Luckily, Musk was able to salvage parts from a junkyard to keep the car running. Wait until you hear what parts of the car were literally falling off!
5. Bill Gates’s 1979 Porsche 911
While this is undoubtedly a high-end vehicle, Gates bought it while Microsoft was just taking off. He loved to take his new toy out into the desert and cruise, possibly as a stress reliever from programming. Think about how exciting this car must have been for him at the time.
Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands on Wikimedia
6. Steve Ballmer’s Ford Fusion
Ballmer grew up with his father being a manager at Ford, which explains his devotion to the company. Even when he was worth billions, he drove this nothing-fancy Fusion for years. Talk about having dedication to roots!
7. Michael Bloomberg’s Chevrolet Suburban
Bloomberg drove this big Chevy through the streets of NYC while building his business empire. Instead of riding around in a fancy limo, he opted for something built to last. A large SUV was perfect for someone as busy as him.
8. Larry Page’s Toyota Prius
One of the co-founders of Google got an early start on driving hybrids. He chose this car because of how efficient it was, just like his company would soon be. Page has always been fascinated with how machines can help organize the world.
9. Jack Ma’s Roewe 550
Chinese businessman Jack Ma is the founder of Alibaba. He kept things fairly modest by driving this mid-range sedan early in his career. Ma spent early earnings on his business and put off fancier cars for many years.
10. Sergey Brin’s Tesla Roadster
Before becoming rich, Sergey Brin was actually one of the first investors in Tesla. Instead of buying a cheap car, he decided to take his Tesla for a spin every day. Can you imagine him buzzing around town in this as his internet search engine took off?
11. Ingvar Kamprad’s 1993 Volvo 240
The founder of IKEA was perhaps the most frugal billionaire in history, famously driving the same Volvo for over two decades. He believed that wasting money on luxury cars was a betrayal of his company’s mission to provide affordable goods to everyone. It is inspiring that a man with billions in the bank was still hunting for the cheapest parking spots in his old station wagon.
12. Michael Dell’s 1975 BMW 2002
At just 19 years old, Dell was building computers out of his college dorm room. He spent more time thinking about technology than about what kind of car to drive. Dell reminds us that all it takes is a teenager with a big idea and a car to start a revolution.
13. Sam Walton’s 1979 Ford F-150
Sam Walton founded Walmart, and his vehicle of choice was this basic red Ford truck. Walton even had a cage attached to the back so he could drive his hunting dogs around with him. Check out Walmart’s museum if you ever want to see Walton’s truck up close.
14. Richard Branson’s 1968 Humber Super Snipe
The Virgin Group founder has always had a bit of an eccentric streak, and his early car was a classic British model that he bought for a bargain. He used it to transport magazines and supplies during the early days of his entrepreneurial career. This vintage choice showed off his flair for style even before he had the budget to buy whatever he wanted.
John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA on Wikimedia
15. Steve Jobs’s Old Fiat 850
Before Apple became a global powerhouse, Jobs drove a tiny and somewhat unreliable Italian car that reflected his counterculture leanings. He appreciated the design aesthetics of European vehicles even if he could not afford high-end versions yet. It is interesting to see how his early appreciation for form and function translated into the products he would eventually create.
16. Oprah Winfrey’s Chevrolet Celebrity
When Oprah was first starting out, all she could afford was this humble Chevrolet. At the time, she likely did not imagine she would one day be the queen of talk shows. The irony is clear in her later famous “everyone gets a car” giveaway.
Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson on Wikimedia
17. Phil Knight’s 1964 Plymouth Valiant
Nike’s Phil Knight would sell shoes right out of the trunk of this car at track meets. That is correct—his car literally started his company! It is impressive that he was not afraid of the “dirty work” of a traveling salesman to get the brand off the ground.
18. Jim Walton’s Dodge Dakota
Not every member of the Walton family took after his brother and drove a Ford. Jim Walton is another billionaire who prefers simple and reliable American-made pickups. He seems to blend right into the background when driving around his small hometown.
19. Sara Blakely’s White Jeep Wrangler
Instead of heading to the dealership, Spanx creator Sara Blakely bought this Jeep. She said the adventurous vibe of the car matched her personality while starting her business. It is a great visual of a female entrepreneur heading out to conquer the fashion world with nothing but a good idea and a sturdy 4x4.
20. Mark Cuban’s 1977 Fiat X1/9
Before he was a "Shark" or the owner of a basketball team, Cuban drove a small two-seater sports car that he bought used. He has told stories about how the floorboards were so rusted out that he could see the road passing beneath his feet. It is surprising that a man who now owns private jets once had to worry about his feet getting wet whenever it rained.
