The story of Stephen Schwarzman is one of success and a strong work ethic. In 2008 Stephen was ranked the 53rd most wealthy person in the US by Forbes Magazine, nonetheless it’s not just money that makes this tale so gripping but his undreamt of success in the business world and his generosity to society. The Blackstone Group co-founder is inspiring and his life illustrates that success in life may be attained through putting in the hours and being really committed to your job. In the mid-eighties Stephen and his business partner Peter Peterson founded their firm extending financial advice. The company has since expanded swiftly and today is a giant in M & A.

Stephen spent his early years in the suburbs of Philadelphia. When he graduated from high school he decided to study further at the world renowned Yale University in Connecticut and obtained his bachelor’s degree in 1969. Harvard Business School near Boston was the next step in his education, where he received his Master’s degree in Business Administration in 1972. Next he would become part of the team at Lehman Brothers. By the age of thirty one, he had been appointed a managing director. Not only does Stephen offer his time to a wide range of charitable organizations, but additionally he has also been a non-faculty professor at Yale. What’s more, he is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in New York, New York. In addition, to return even more to his community, he announced in March of 2008 that he had presented 100 million dollars to the New York Public Library to help them enlarge. They also called their new extension after him. As you would expect Stephen A. Schwarzman is now one of America’s elite — last year he was mentioned amongst Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on earth in recognition of his many achievements. His quick rise to power in the financial industry is nothing short of astounding, and his readiness to donate to the community through his large donations to the arts and education projects encourages those people who would like to emulate him. So the financial space waits with baited breath to see what Stephen will do next. To sum up, Stephen Schwarzman is an individual who has grasped each and every opportunity offered to him and in return he has in the same stride employed his wealth and influence to do his best to enrich his community.