The Most Ruthless Businessmen To Ever Do Business

Take a look at the list of most ruthless businessmen to ever do busines
THE LIST

Don Arden (Music Promoter)
Real Name: Harry LevyPlace of Birth: Manchester, England

Date of Birth: 4th January 1926 – 21st July 2007

Don Arden the Al Copone of pop music for his notorious and endless antics within the music industry. In the mid 60’s Don Arden (father to Sharon Osborne) was a key figure in the rock music scene. He managed the careers of artists such as Ozzy Osborne, Small Faces, Gene Vincent and many more.

Moment of Ruthlessness:He allegedly was responsible for provoking his dog to attack his very own daughter Sharon Osborne, over contractual disagreements. This goes to show that if he can be violently aggressive towards his own flesh and blood, imagine what he would do to you!

Don King (Boxing Promoter)
Real Name: Donald King

Place of Birth: Cleveland Ohio
Date of Birth: 20th August 1931

It is fair to say that Don King mastered the art of promotion particularly in the boxing Arena. Don easily dominated the world of boxing for decades starting from the mid 70’s through the use of manipulation and marketing talents.You may perceive Don as just a smiling face in front of the cameras... but do not be fooled, he had a very dark past. Don King was a natural born hustler who built a tough reputation from an early age. Before he got in the boxing game he ran the biggest illegal booking operation in Cleveland. He eventually served a prison sentence for various criminal convictions.

Moment of Ruthlessness: (Donald King was convicted of the following)
1. First degree murder of two civilians;

2. Connections to the Mafia rumouring illegal business deals

3. Intentionally underpaying the likes of Mohammad Ali & Mike Tyson.Any man that is not afraid to take advantage of someone like Mike Tyson must be ruthless!

Suge Knight (Music Exec)
Real Name: Marion Knight

Place of Birth: Compton, California

Date of Birth: 19th April 1965

Suge was responsible for building one of the most famous and controversial record label of the 90’s: “Death Row”. This enterprise established the iconic likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg and the legendary Dr. Dre. Suge had a reputation of utilising his 315-pound body frame to intimidate people for financial advantages.

Moment of Ruthlessness: A dispute over publishing lead to the death of former rapper Vanilla Ice. Suge was found guilty of hanging the rapper from the 20th floor balcony.

Aristotle Onassis (Billionaire Tycoon)
Real Name: Aristotle Onassis

Place of Birth: Karatass, Turkey

Date of Birth: January 15th 1906 – March 15th 1975

(Aristotle can truly be defined as the modern term ‘gigolo’; he successfully gained a reputation for dating women who were his pedal stool to financial success. It all began with his first girlfriend Claudia Muzio, who helped him launch his first cigarette business venture. Once the business was successful, he quickly discarded her in search for his next girlfriend, also his next business venture. This was standard routine for Aristotle; he would conquer and then seek new territory. However, his hard work and dedication that made him a billionaire came with sacrifices. He concentrated on his businesses 24/7 that he was deprived of spending any time with his two children.)

Moment of Ruthlessness:Aristotle Onasis was said to have only married the widow of former president JFK as a symbol of power.

Ernest Gallo (Wine Entrepreneur)
Place of Birth: Sierra Navada, California

Date of Birth: March 18th 1909 – March 6th 2007

Ernest was left to take care of his father’s vineyard, when his father shot himself and his mother in the head. Shortly after Ernest took a small loan from a family member, he and his brother co-founded the wine business ‘E & J Gallo Winery’.Ernest was incredibly ambitious with his goals, he once quoted:“We don’t want most of the business...We want it all.”At one stage, Ernest was hospitalised for six months through exhaustion, working a 16 hour day shift was a walk in the park for him!

Moments of Ruthlessness:1. He was accused of littering empty bottles of his wine in poorer areas to build brand awareness;2. He was also accused of puncturing the competitions wine caps to harm their reputation;3. In the 80’s, he launched a lawsuit against his younger brother for using the Gallo brand on his cheese biscuits.

By Larry Laban