01Murat Vargi

Age: 58
Fortune: Self-made
Source: Telecom
Net Worth: $1.2 billion
Country of Citizenship: Turkey
Residence: Istanbul, Turkey
Industry: Technology
Marital Status: NA

Considered the brains behind Turkcell. His idea for a mobile-phone company was eventually funded by billionaire Mehmet Karamehmet. Sat on Turkcell board from 1993 until May 2005. Still owns a big stake in the NYSE-listed telecom stock. Bought one of Turkey’s largest hotels in Izmir, the Grand Efes, for $121 million in October 2005. Started Turkish search engine Hakia in 2006. Rents out his 120-foot yacht, Jasmin, docked at Antibes, France, for $70,000 per week in the low season.