Richard Branson and Barack Obama come from very different worlds, yet both built remarkably influential careers. Branson became a globally recognized entrepreneur through the Virgin Group, while Obama rose from community organizing and law to become the 44th President of the United States. Their backgrounds, education, family lives and career paths differ sharply, but both have remained prominent public figures long after reaching their best-known positions. Their current estimated fortunes also reflect very different sources of income and public careers.
Richard Branson and Barack Obama, Quick Bio
| Category | Richard Branson | Barack Obama |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Richard Charles Nicholas Branson | Barack Hussein Obama II |
| Date of Birth | July 18, 1950 | August 4, 1961 |
| Net Worth | About $2.8 billion, estimated | Estimated $70+ million for the Obama family; individual figure not separately verified |
| Height | About 6 ft (1.83 m), estimated | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Age | 76 years | 65 years |
| Birth Place | Blackheath, London, England | Honolulu, Hawaii, USA |
| Nickname | Richard; Sir Richard Branson | Barry |
| Nationality | British | American |
| Parents | Edward James Branson and Eve Branson | Barack Obama Sr. and Ann Dunham |
| Siblings | Lindy Branson and Vanessa Branson | Maya Soetoro-Ng and paternal half-siblings |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, businessman, investor, author and philanthropist | Former president, lawyer, author and public figure |
| Famous For | Founding the Virgin Group | Serving as the 44th U.S. President |
| Major Career | Built Virgin into a global business group | Community organizer, lawyer, senator and president |
| Career Began | 1960s, with Student magazine | 1980s, with community organizing |
| Major Organization | Virgin Group | Obama Foundation |
| Political Party | Not applicable | Democratic Party |
| Presidential Terms | Not applicable | 2009–2017 |
| Education | Stowe School; left at 16 without attending university | Columbia University; Harvard Law School |
| Weight | Around 74 kg, estimated | Around 80 kg, estimated |
| Hair Color | Gray / silver | Black and gray |
| Eye Color | Blue | Brown |
| Marital Status | Widowed | Married |
| Spouse | Joan Templeman | Michelle Obama |
| Children | Holly Branson and Sam Branson | Malia Obama and Sasha Obama |
| Hobbies & Interests | Travel, sailing, adventure, ballooning and business | Basketball, reading, golf, writing and music |
| Source of Wealth | Virgin Group and investments | Books, speaking, investments and media projects |
| Major Achievement | Created a multinational Virgin-branded business empire | Became the first African American U.S. president |
| Notable Honor | Knighted in 2000 for services to entrepreneurship | Nobel Peace Prize, 2009 |
| Books | Losing My Virginity, Finding My Virginity, The Virgin Way | Dreams from My Father, The Audacity of Hope, A Promised Land |
| Philanthropy | Virgin Unite and other charitable initiatives | Obama Foundation and related initiatives |
| Current Focus | Entrepreneurship, Virgin ventures, philanthropy and public speaking | Writing, public speaking, philanthropy and civic initiatives |
| Career Style | Serial entrepreneur and business builder | Public servant, lawyer and political leader |
| Overall Legacy | One of Britain’s most recognizable entrepreneurs | One of America’s most historically significant modern presidents |
Richard Branson and Barack Obama Images
