If you have never heard the name Stephen A. Schwarzman, this should interest you. Forbes placed him as the 53rd most wealthy individual in America just last year, even so it is his extraordinary rise to power in the business and finance sector and his generosity to society which make this account intriguing. This Blackstone Group co-founder is a great role model and his life illustrates that success may be gained by putting in the hours and being really committed to your goals. In the mid-eighties Stephen A. Schwarzman and his business partner launched their firm extending sound financial advice to the American public. And as you may know, the Blackstone Group expanded from there to become the world famous business it is known as presently.

Spending most of childhood and adolescence in near Philadelphia, PA, Steve received his early education in the Abingdon school district. He graduated from Abington Senior High School, his next step was to obtain his degree from Yale University in 1969. Harvard Business School was the next stop on his pathway to success, here he graduated in 1972. Then Steve commenced his career at Lehman Brothers investment bank, based in New York, NY. By the extremely young age of thirty-one, he was already a director.

Steve Schwarzman served as an associate professor at the famed Yale School of Management as well as offering his patronage to many charitable organizations, educational programs, and the liberal arts. Furthermore, he is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. On top of all that, Steve recently donated to the New York Public Library $100 million to help fund their building project. Steve is also one of the trustees of the library. You won’t be too surprised to learn, American high society looks at Steve as a role model: last year he was identified as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on the planet in recognition of his many achievements. His quick rise to power in the business and financial sectors is nothing short of amazing, and no doubt his willingness to donate to his community has given Americans a one-of-a-kind new standard to live by.

As far as the financial world goes, Stephen A. Schwarzman can do no wrong. On the whole, Steve is a man who has taken the best advantage of every opportunity given to him, but he has at the same time employed his money to do his best to improve the lives of those around him.