Born in 1917, this Nevada billionaire is President and CEO of Tracinda Corporation. That may not ring a bell, considering he's better known for two other things. One: Being one of the pioneers who shaped the city of Las Vegas as we know it. Two: Coming up with the concept of Megaresort - a resort integrating the services of a hotel and casino with dining, entertainment and shopping into a single venue.

Kerkorian was born to Armenian immigrant parents. He was a skilled amateur boxer who went on to fly airplanes, founding Transinternational Airlines and selling it for $104 million.

He first visited Vegas in 1944, as a pilot, and eventually bought a place there that eventually grew to accommodate the world famous Caesars Palace.

To cut a really long story short, he now owns and operates a great many properties, apart from other business ventures. And his is a tale that's not over yet.

Image: Billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian. | Photograph: William Thomas Cain/Getty Images