Russell Simmons is another drop out who had made a fortune in several industries and created jobs for many. He has a net worth of $340 Million according to Celebrity Net worth website. 

Simmons was born and raised in Queens, New York.^[3] His father is a public school administrator and his mother is a New York City park administrator. His brothers are painter Daniel Simmons, Jr., and Rev Run of Run-DMC.

In 1975, after graduating from August Martin High School, Simmons briefly attended the City College of New York in Harlemwhere he met a young DJ/Bboy, Kurt Walker who would influence him to join in on this new phenomenon called Hip Hop.

In 2014, Claremont Lincoln University awarded Russell Simmons an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters for his work as chairman of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding and for promoting mindfulness, compassion and inter-religious collaboration in the public sphere.

Simmons co-founded Def Jam in 1983 with Rick Rubin who sold his share of the company for $120 million to Universal Music Group in 1996. In 1985 Russell Simmons co-produced and appeared in the film, Krush Groove.^[10] Simmons' company, Rush Communications Inc. includes over ten businesses and three non-profits. Simmons has also produced television hits HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Def Poetry Jam and currently has a development deal with HBO ^[2][11] In 1996, Simmons co-produced the hit film The Nutty Professor, starring Eddie Murphy.