Who is Lucy Guo, the woman techie who has beat Taylor Swift as world's youngest self-made billionaire and the controversy that follows her
Lucy Guo
The world now has a new
youngest self-made woman billionaire
and she is a techie. Carnegie Mellon University dropout
Lucy Guo
has claimed the title of the world's youngest self-made billionaire, surpassing pop icon
Taylor Swift
, according to a recent Forbes report. Guo's meteoric rise in the tech industry has positioned her as a trailblazer, highlighting the growing influence of women in entrepreneurship.
From Pop Star to Tech Star: A New Billionaire Emerges
Taylor Swift, previously recognized as the youngest self-made billionaire, has been dethroned by 30-year-old Lucy Guo. Swift, known for her chart-topping hits like Love Story and her business acumen in the music industry, held the title due to her massive earnings from music, tours, and endorsements. However, Guo's innovative contributions to the tech world have now eclipsed Swift's financial milestone.
T
he Rise of Lucy Guo: Founding Scale AI
Lucy Guo's ascent to billionaire status is largely attributed to her 5% stake in
Scale AI
, a data annotation firm she co-founded in 2016 with business partner Alexandr Wang. The company specializes in providing labeled data to train artificial intelligence applications, serving major clients in industries like autonomous vehicles, healthcare, and e-commerce. Forbes estimates Guo's net worth at $1.3 billion, driven by Scale AI's soaring valuation.
Guo is optimistic about the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship. In an interview with Forbes, she stated, 'I think we're about to see a lot more entrepreneurs be women and valuations grow at a tremendous rate. I wouldn't be surprised if someone else took the title next year, but it's really exciting to see.' Her confidence reflects a broader trend of increasing diversity in the tech and business sectors.
A Billionaire Who Still Looks for 50% Off Deals
Despite her billionaire status, Guo maintains a surprisingly modest lifestyle. 'I still live a very frugal lifestyle,' she shared with Forbes. 'For lunch, I get 'buy one get one free' all the time or, like, the 50%-off deals. But the one day I decide I need a private jet, maybe I'll sell some shares, but at the moment I'm very happy flying commercial.' This grounded approach sets her apart in a world often associated with extravagant spending.
A Taylor Swift fan
Addressing her new title, Guo expressed admiration for Taylor Swift, noting, 'She has always struck me as someone that's very pro-woman and wants other people to win. I am a huge fan of her; I think she's an icon.' Guo's comments highlight a mutual respect between the two, despite their competition for the billionaire title.
Lucy Guo's OnlyFans' Rival Passes Controversy
Beyond Scale AI, Guo has ventured into other entrepreneurial pursuits, including co-founding Passes, a platform positioned as a rival to OnlyFans. Passes aims to empower content creators by offering a subscription-based model. However, the platform faced scrutiny earlier this year when a content creator filed a lawsuit alleging that Passes distributed sexually abusive material involving her while she was underage. The controversy has raised questions about the platform's content moderation practices, though Guo has not publicly commented on the issue.
A New Era for Women in Business
Guo's achievement marks a significant moment for
women in tech
and entrepreneurship. Her success with Scale AI and her forward-thinking approach to business underscore the potential for women to lead in high-growth industries. As Guo herself predicts, the coming years may see even more women breaking barriers and claiming top spots in the billionaire rankings.
With her wealth, influence, and innovative mindset, Lucy Guo is poised to continue shaping the tech industry. Whether through Scale AI, Passes, or new ventures, her journey as a self-made billionaire is just beginning. As she told Forbes, the rapid pace of change in entrepreneurship means the title of youngest billionaire may soon pass to another visionary—potentially another woman pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
How Gisele Bündchen built a $400M empire after her split with Tom Brady and life beyond the runway
Gisele Bündchen may have started her rise to fame as a supermodel, but her true brilliance has been revealed in the boardroom. Today, she's not just a former Victoria's Secret Angel—she's a business mogul with a $400 million empire built on smart investments, sustainable branding, and global influence. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From supermodel to super mogul: Her modeling career laid the groundwork for long-term wealth From 2002 to 2017, Gisele Bündchen topped Forbes' list of highest-paid models, pocketing over $500 million through runway shows and major endorsements with brands like Victoria's Secret, Pantene, and Chanel. That financial foundation enabled her to pivot into business with more freedom and vision. Even after stepping back from full-time modeling, she remains in demand, collaborating with elite brands such as Louis Vuitton, Apple, and Under Armour for seven-figure campaigns. Investing in sustainability with skincare and sandals that reflect her values In 2021, Gisele launched Sejaa Skincare, a clean beauty brand that prioritizes plant-based ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. It's more than just a vanity project—it reflects her deep commitment to the environment. Sejaa isn't just selling face cream; it's pushing a wellness-driven, conscious beauty narrative that resonates with today's green-minded consumers. Meanwhile, her longtime collaboration with Grendene for Ipanema Sandals has been a runaway success, with over 25 million pairs sold annually. Made using recycled materials, the sandals merge her Brazilian roots with her environmental ethos—turning a fashion product into a sustainability statement. Real estate, hospitality, and the power of well-placed investments Gisele's property portfolio is just as diverse, including luxury homes in Florida, Montana, and Costa Rica—many of which are eco-conscious retreats. After her split from Tom Brady, she sold their $40 million Tampa mansion but held onto other high-value assets, showing smart real estate instincts. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now She's also ventured into hospitality with a boutique hotel in Costa Rica, offering guests a sustainable travel experience that's consistent with her brand image. Her 2018 memoir, Lessons: My Path to a Meaningful Life, became a bestseller and continues to generate royalties. On social media, she earns six figures per post with brands like Stella McCartney and Beyond Meat—redefining what influence looks like in the luxury and wellness markets. Also Read: Gisele Bündchen's story proves that beauty and brains aren't mutually exclusive. By turning her fame into fuel for purpose-driven businesses, she's created a financial legacy that far outlasts her catwalk days.
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Alex Cooper net worth: Inside the ‘Call Her Daddy' host's businesses, brand deals and real estate
Alex Cooper has become one of the most successful creators in the digital media world. She first gained attention in 2018 when she launched the Call Her Daddy podcast with her roommate Sofia Franklyn under Barstool Sports. In 2021, Cooper went solo after signing a $60 million deal with Spotify. Since then, she's hosted some of the biggest names in pop culture, including Miley Cyrus, Hailey Bieber, and Kamala Harris. In 2023, Cooper and her husband Matt Kaplan launched The Unwell Network, which features shows like Pretty Lonesome and Boyfriend Material. In 2024, Cooper was named to Forbes' Top Creators list, recognizing her as one of the top earners in the content world. During an interview with PEOPLE that December, she shared business advice for new entrepreneurs: "Don't try to do a million things at once," she said. "If you focus on the one thing that you are educated on, and you are essentially a savant in, then just focus on that and trust your gut because trying to appease everyone is not going to get you anywhere." "I think sticking to one idea and making it the main thing is how I've succeeded with Call Her Daddy. For almost five years, I did nothing but Call Her Daddy, and I just grinded. I didn't take brand deals, I didn't put my face next to other products — I just focused on the main thing." Cooper's journey is now featured in a two-part docuseries, Call Her Alex, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 8 and began streaming on Hulu on June 10. Also Read: Alex Cooper reveals she 'had a Zoom call with' Donald Trump's team about… Though her exact net worth is not confirmed, Forbes reported that Cooper made $22 million in 2024 alone. Much of that income came from her work on Call Her Daddy, including her landmark deals with Spotify and SiriusXM. Her $60 million Spotify deal in 2021 was one of the largest ever for a podcast at the time. In August 2024, she signed an even bigger three-year deal with SiriusXM worth $125 million. "The brand had only grown since being at Spotify," Cooper told Forbes. "I knew the money would be there. The deal was more about what other things people can give Call Her Daddy and Unwell that will help us grow." Cooper has also earned money from merchandise sales. In 2020, she sold $800,000 worth of branded items in just three days. Over the years, Cooper has partnered with major brands such as Skims and Jimmy Choo. In 2024, she joined NBC's Peacock as a host for the Paris Olympic Games series Watch with Alex Cooper. Her company's drink line, Drink Unwell, became the official hydration sponsor of the National Women's Soccer League in 2025. Despite getting many offers, Cooper is selective. On the Boyfriend Material podcast in April 2025, she explained why she once turned down a large brand deal: "I just like didn't believe in putting my face next to it," she said. "I think it's important to say no to s---, because then you just lose your f------ credibility." Though she now earns millions, Cooper told The Hollywood Reporter in 2024 that she never started her podcast for the money. "Don't get me wrong, it is life-changing. You want to make money off the product that you're spending so much time on," she said. "But I started making content when I was 5 years old. I wasn't hoping for a paycheck. I just wanted my friends to feel something from the videos I was showing them." After signing her SiriusXM deal, she bought her parents a house in late 2024. "I literally wouldn't be here without them," she said. "Buying them a house is like the least I could f------ do, because they sacrificed financially, emotionally. They sacrificed with my other siblings in moments for me. So it feels really, really, really f------ insane and incredible that I get to do this." Cooper told The Hollywood Reporter that most of her money goes back into her business or is saved. Still, she said she occasionally splurges on cozy clothes. She does buy herself "a lot of UGGS and sweatpants," she told Entertainment Tonight in 2025.
New Indian Express
13 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Meta to invest $15 billion in Scale AI in a bid to achieve computerised ‘superintelligence'
Meta is preparing to unveil a $15 billion investment to pursue computerised 'superintelligence', an AI capable of outperforming humans across all tasks, by securing a 49 percent stake in Scale AI, according to The Gaurdian. This move marks one of Meta's largest external investments to date, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg assembles a 50‑member team to pioneer an advanced AI initiative dubbed 'superintelligence,' alongside Scale's founder and CEO, Alexandr Wang. Scale AI, founded in 2016 by Alexandr Wang and Lucy Guo, is a San Francisco‑based leader in AI data labelling. In 2025, the company is projected to double its revenues, rising from roughly $870 million in 2024 to about $2 billion this year, with an anticipated valuation nearing $25 billion, Reuters reported. Superintelligence is described as a type of AI that can perform better than humans at all tasks. Currently AI cannot reach the same level as humans in all tasks, a state known as artificial general intelligence (AGI). Recent studies have shown that many mainstream systems collapse when presented with highly complex puzzles. This initiative comes as Meta looks to rebound from recent setbacks, such as the underperformance of its LLaMA 4 models, delays in its flagship 'Behemoth' AI, and the fading momentum of the Metaverse, amid escalating competition from OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and Microsoft Meta's bold strategy has sparked renewed calls in Europe for transparent, publicly‑funded AI research programs, mirroring institutions like CERN to ensure accountability, fairness, and public trust in this rapidly accelerating technological race .
