Evil Billionaires on Wall Street: Revealing the Lesser-Known Culprits
In the 1980s, a new era dawned on Wall Street. America had moved on from the economic struggles of the Great Depression and embraced a new mindset that glorified business and entrepreneurship. Debt, once a cause for concern among bankers, was now seen as a valuable tool in the arsenal of savvy investors. Deregulation swept through the financial world, dismantling old guardrails and paving the way for a new era of wealth creation.
One of the key figures in this transformation was Michael Milken, a man who turned junk into gold. Born in July 1946 to a Jewish family in Encino, California, Milken’s early years were marked by academic excellence and ambition. Even while working shifts at a local diner, he managed to excel as the head cheerleader at Birmingham High School, rubbing shoulders with future Hollywood stars like Michael Ovitz, Sally Field, and Cindy Williams.
However, it was at UC Berkeley where Milken’s true genius shone through. Graduating with highest honors in 1968, he came across research that would shape his future and solidify his reputation as a financial wizard.
