For a world class billionaire like her, of course it is not a big deal to own a luxurious house. It is even not a big deal to own more than one luxurious house. The question comes to our mind is then, how many house does she have and how do those houses look like?

The first one we need to talk about is of course the one where she resides now. After her retirement from talk show with the termination on Oprah Winfrey Show, this house is probably the place where she spends most of her time in with her life partner, Stedman Graham. The most unique thing of the house is the tea house which exhibits a large collection of hybrid roses

The Oprah Winfrey house is named “The Promised Land”, and it is located in California Oprah bought it in 2001 at US$52 million. The house is build in a 23 thousand square feet land and by 2011, its price has been rising to estimated US$100 million. The other characteristics that add value to this house is that it has the view of an amazing ocean and beach.

Another house belong to Oprah Winfrey is a Hawaiian house which is built in a land which literally belongs to her. The house was designed by Ellie who was personally chosen by Oprah herself. At that time, Oprah was really overwhelmed with the idea of country house and wanted her house in Hawaii to be designed accordingly.

Other than those houses, Oprah Winfrey also owns houses and estates in New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia, Douglasville, Florida, plus land in Maui and Antigua. There is also an apartment in Chicago which completes the collection of Oprah Winfrey house.

Oprah Winfrey Quotes

Oprah has a handful of Oprah Winfrey quotes which are equally brilliant and inspirational at the same time. Obviously, they have something to do with her job as a talk show host. It was really hard for us to choose the three that should go here, but we managed to decide after all.

Oprah Winfrey quotes

”Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.”

Being thankful is one of the recipes of happy life. The positive energy that you create will produce more good energy and make your life beautiful. Focusing on bad things in our life only let us down and kill our fighting spirit. Focusing on things you don’t have is also bad because you tend to be grateful with what you already have. When you rethink about your life and positive things in it, your life will be better just like when Oprah said, “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

“We all have choices to make in out lives — some have been better than others — but we do have a choice with how we respond to them. Here are a few words of wisdom from Oprah about making good choices in your life.”

“I don’t think you ever stop giving. I really don’t. I think it’s an on-going process. And it’s not just about being able to write a check. It’s being able to touch somebody’s life.”

Oprah Winfrey, global media leader and philanthropist, spoke to the Class of 2008 at Stanford’s 117th Commencement on June 15, 2008. Winfrey drew on experiences from a career that began in 1976 when she co-anchored a television newscast, and she shared three lessons about feelings, failure and finding happiness.

Giving. This is one of the main topics in Oprah’s talk show. Oprah has always been known as a philanthropist and she also encourages people to be charitable in her show. And her point of view about giving is not only about check, but it is more about affecting people’s lives with good things that you do. Oprah Winfrey quotes.

Zhang Xin SOHO

As we all know by now, Zhang Xin SOHO is now the largest real-estate developer in China. The company was founded in 1995 by Pan Shiyi and his wife Zhang Xin. Mr. Pan acts as the chairman of the company while his wife, Zhang Xin acts as SOHO’s CEO. These husband and wife duo have proven themselves as the best to run the largest real estate company in China. Together with her husband, Zhang Xin was once listed as the 237th richest person in the world in 2006.

Zhang Xin was a former employee of Goldman Sachs. She started Zhang Xin Soho and adopted Japan’s property principal “Small Office, Home Office”. From this practical yet powerful principal, the company got itself the name SOHO.

At the beginning, the company worked on acquiring properties in Beijing’s Central Business District. It successfully acquired around 1.75 million square meters of GFA in Beijing, which was then recorded as the best at that time. Moreover, another 1.74 million square meters were waiting to be developed by the growing company.

SOHO China has also another slogan, which is “building city center prosperity”. This principal delivers SOHO to be an agent of China’s rapid urbanization. Many of SOHO’s developments even become China’s landmark such as SOHO New Town, SOHO Shangdu, Beijing SOHO Residences, Guanghualu SOHO,Qianmen Avenue, Jianwai SOHO, etc. There are also international wonders built by SOHO China such as Hainan Island, Commune by the Great Wall, and Boao Canal Village in Boao.

In 2007, Hong Kong Stock Exchange listed SOHO China’s value at HK$12.8 billion which set the largest commercial real estate IPO until now. For its achievements, Zhang Xin SOHO has received several awards including getting in the list of “Most Admired Companies” by Fortune Magazine for four years in a row until 2009.

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Don Fisher Quotes

After looking closer to Don Fisher’s life, it is time for Don Fisher quotes. The man was a legend. The company he founded, GAP, is still one of the most notable fashion jeans brand in the world. Let’s hear what he had said during his life and find something to learn from.

Don Fisher quotes

“I don’t think we can sit back and wait for someone else to take the lead, just so we don’t have to expend energy or money. We’ve got to utilize the recourse it takes to advance our causes and hold up our part of the deal”

Hardworking, that’s what you can get from this quote. Coming from a middle-class family, he knew what it meant to work hard. And his determination was what made him so successful. Why should work for others and wait for them to lead you? Make your own business and your own decisions. That’s the key to success. This principal was also what made Don Fisher to be recognized as one of American entrepreneurs of all time.

“We want to thank Paul for the hard work and dedication that he has shown Gap Inc. over the past four years. Under his leadership, the company has meaningfully improved its operations, strengthened its balance sheet, greatly enhanced its on-line presence across the brand portfolio and improved its standing as a global corporate citizen. We appreciate all of his efforts and wish Paul every success in the future.”

Paul Pressler stepped down from his position as GAP Inc.’s CEO and board member on January 22, 2007. The stepping down was far from controversy and it was told that everyone had a mutual decision. As for the vacant CEO position, Fisher as the founder stepped up the throne. Above is one of Don Fisher quotes upon Pressler’s resignation.

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Donald Fisher Biography

After a few days reading women billionaire’s biographies, now it is time for Donald Fisher biography. As the founder of The Gap clothing stores, the American businessman Donald Fisher was listed in 400 richest people in the world before his death in 2009 according to Forbes Magazine with US$3.3 billion of wealth. His wife, Doris Fisher, inherited the company and wealth as well as the title as one of Forbes richest people.

Donald Fisher biography

Donald George Fisher was born on September 3, 1928 in Cutsdean, California to Jewish parents Sydney Fisher and Aileen Emanuel. His father was a businessman while his mother was a cabinetmaker. He went to Lowell High School and attended University of California in Berkeley. While he was studying in the university, he was a member of swimming and water polo team. In 1951, he graduated from University of California with a bachelor degree in business administration.

With his wealth, Donald Fisher did some philanthropy acts. He mainly supported education causes. His most notable donation is to KIPP charter schools, a network of low-income but high-achieving college preparatory public schools. He also contributed to Teach for America movement and joined forces with some California businessmen to support education reform.

In 1996, Fisher donated some money to Princeton University and a dormitory hall which is named after Fisher as a take of honor. Not only that, Fisher also donated some money to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art in 2007.

Donald Fisher was married to Doris Feigenbaum and had three sons who continue his business. Donald Fisher biography is closed with his death in September 2009 at his home because of heart attack.

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Zhang Xin quotes

Here is another round for inspiring quotes from our inspiring billionaires, Zhang Xin quotes. Now, it is time to hear from the woman who runs the biggest real estate developer in mainland China, Zhang Xin. What does she have to tell us?

Zhang Xin quotes

“I remember the days when we were struggling to pay salaries and the bills, and then us moving slowly from a company in debt, with strict cost controls, to gradually, with more profits, becoming more relaxed. We went from taking the cheapest possible flights to being able to fly business class.”

We know that Zhang Xin is an admirable woman with strong determination who never gives up in chasing her dreams. When she was only 19, she had lived up her dream to pursue her study in London after working 12-hours a day for five years as a labor. And she made it. She came back with a Master Degree on hand and a prestigious job. Now, she has changed from living in a squeezy apartment to one of Beijing’s most stylish building.
“Mao did liberate women,”
“He said women ‘held up half the sky’ but in practice women were not half the sky so much as half the strength of China. We all grew up with parents who both worked for equal pay. There was no such thing as a lady of leisure.”
In an interview, she told what she thought about Mao. While some China people are missing the days of Mao, she is one of those who don’t. However, she admitted that Mao did have goods to bring for women. He brought equality, which was the foundation of how woman like her can get a lot in a man’s world.

“I don’t do evening business dinners and I don’t do weekends,”

Although she is now one of the richest people in the world, she never forgets her family. To her, being a mom is still the first priority to do and the Zhang Xin quotes above give evidence to that.

Meg Whitman for Governor

One of turning point in Meg Whitman’s life was her Meg Whitman for governor campaign on February 10. It seemed like she had done everything in business world that she wanted to try something new in politics. This was also to mention that she has been a politics enthusiast. She supported Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign in 2008 and decided to run for a governor position herself in 3009.

With Schwarzenegger facing terms limit, Whitman was eager to take over one of the most coveted governorships in the country. However, as a Republican, the road was not easy for her. The popularity of the Republican party had been decreasing, especially after the governor at that time instituted mandatory furloughs and sweeping cutbacks. However, that did not prevent her from trying. This quote explains why she had this Meg Whitman for governor campaign.

“California faces challenges unlike any other time in its history — a weak and faltering economy, massive job losses, and an exploding state budget deficit. California is better than this, and I refuse to stand by and watch it.”

Her campaign was mostly self-funded, which she definitely could afford. The figure reached $144 million in a report and recorded as one of the biggest money spent on a self-funded campaign. Some controversies arose in this matter including the accusation that she had paid more than market rate for her advertising campaign in a blog. There was also a political ad released in June 2010 which made her rival Jerry Brown as “fail”.

There was another controversy about her voting record which was broke out in September 2010. The Sacramento Bee reported that Whitman had not voted for 28 years, portraying her as a politics ignorant. Whitman was consciously embarrassed with it and apologizes for what she called as “atrocious” record.

She won the preliminary election for Republican candidate in June 2010. Unfortunately, she failed in the last battle of Meg Whitman for governor to Jerry Brown on November 2, 2010.

Anne Cox Quotes

It is definitely not easy to find Anne Cox quotes since she is one of the prominent public figure who rarely gives interview. Luckily, she was once a US ambassador, an occupation which required her to speak and give clarifications in media. Thus, we give you these two quotes, one about her daily life and one about his political view as an ambassador.

Anne Cox quotes

“Every morning I’d come home at 9 a.m. from work, and Ali would be on the couch with a big mug of tea, ‘Will and Grace’ on the big screen, her browser between One Kings Lane and Wireimage and the Word document screen completely blank.”

“I think that Foreign Service officers tend to shy away from getting involved with the Congress. And I think some of that stems from our primary contact with members of Congress, and that’s those who come out on Congressional delegations when we’re serving abroad. By and large, those visits are difficult. We tend to regard members of Congress as meddling in foreign policy, that their interests and priorities do not necessarily match ours. Theirs tend to be oriented toward their constituencies; their views tend to be short-term. Whereas we are concerned about longer-term relations abroad. I think that, therefore, we build up this kind of negative impression, and I think some of it’s quite justified.”
ADST Oral History Interview, October 23, 1985.

The quote above was stated during her service as the US ambassador for Argentine. We can see how she showed her dislike for congressional delegations visit to Foreign Services office. Different views and interest are the biggest challenges why these two institutions cannot get along well.

To her old age, Anne Cox Chambers is a very active lady with various companies to take care of and numerous activities, charitable or not, to do. The Anne Cox quotes above show her dedication in her works.

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Meg Whitman

We have learned some things about Meg Whitman from her biography. Now, it is the time to learn more about some issues surrounding her life.

Meg Whitman is definitely an active woman. She does not only busy with business and corporate lives but also has many life dimensions which make her even more famous. She is known widely for her California governor candidacy run, but she is also a philanthropist who generously donated some other wealth to a higher good.

Whitman founded a charitable foundation together with her husband, Griffith R. Harsh IV in December, 2006. Inevitably, they named the foundation Griffith R. Harsh IV and Margaret C. Whitman Charitable Foundation. They were so eager in making donation through the foundation so that by the end of its first year of establishment, the foundation has disbursed US$125,000 to various charitable causes. The foundation itself has US$46 million of assets today. Knowing this, Warren Buffet asked the couple to join the Giving Pledge commitment coined by him which records billionaires’ pledge to donate half of their wealth to charity causes.

In 2010, due to her political campaign, Whitman launched a Spanish-language TV ad promoting schools for Latino kids in California. The ad was aired during the World Cup soccer games tournament, a worldwide tournament which absorbed most Latino attention due to soccer popularity in that demography.

Whitman kept showing concerns for Latino group by promoting legalization of illegal immigrants but voted to ban them from receiving education in state-funded institutions.

Whitman’s view in same sex marriage is the modern one. She supports gay marriage and urges that they should be allowed to adopt children. She also has liberal view about abortion and supports the law that legalizes the practice. However, Meg Whitman does not feel the same with marijuana and prefers it to stay illegal under California law.

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Meg Whitman Quotes

It is not difficult to find Meg Whitman quotes, especially with her governor candidacy last 2009 which required her to talk a lot in media. Below here are quotes that can inspire and show us how she does her “magic” with those big companies.

Meg Whitman quotes

“Most of us can’t even begin to imagine.”

The first thing to people need to have to be successful is a dream, then comes the determination. Many prominent figures said this and so did Meg Whitman. Creativity comes from imagination. Without it, there is no way a company can even survive the tight competition let alone to win it.

”I got to get the right people in the right job. Because a lot of costs can be taken out in the context of your administration without the legislature. For example, using technology to do more with less. Using technology to fight fraud. Reorganizing and streamlining can be done within the context of the administration.”

And when you have the ideas, all you need to have is the strong determination and qualified people to do it. It is important to have the right people and use the right technology to get the job done.

”Communications is at the heart of e-commerce and community. Guess what? The world changes. eBay has defined e-commerce.”

And who was the person behind the success of eBay? Yes, it was Meg Whitman.

“Sometimes it’s a little bit like being a politician. We have work to do in understanding our users’ sentiments.”

The quote above answers her interest to run for governor seat last 2009. Business is not so different from politics. When she can do very well in business, why not in politics? Unfortunately she never made it. Otherwise, surely there would be more Meg Whitman quotes to read.

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