Billionaire Secrets: Are They Good, Bad, or Just Rich?

The BBC World Service's popular podcast, "Good Bad Billionaire," returns for a second season, diving deeper into the lives and fortunes of the world's wealthiest individuals. Hosts Simon Jack, Business Editor for BBC News, and Zing Tsjeng, journalist, author, and podcaster, will once again explore the minds and motives behind the billionaires, scrutinizing their wealth-building strategies and examining their impact on the world.

Season two of "Good Bad Billionaire" takes listeners on a global journey, exploring the stories of billionaires from diverse backgrounds and industries. From the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, Mexico, China, New Zealand, India, South Africa, Nigeria, and beyond, the podcast unveils the extraordinary journeys of these individuals who have amassed immense fortunes.

This season promises a captivating mix of familiar names and lesser-known figures. Listeners will learn how Tiger Woods, a child prodigy turned global sporting icon, became the highest-paid athlete in history. They will uncover the story of a communist mime artist who ascended to the helm of the prestigious fashion house Prada, and delve into the extraordinary life of hedge fund tycoon George Soros, who escaped Nazi occupation to become one of the most successful investors in history.

The podcast also shines a light on the rise of billionaires in emerging markets. It explores the journey of a mining magnate who became the first black billionaire in post-apartheid South Africa, and the remarkable story of an Indian multinational conglomerate boss who built the largest fortune in Asia.

In an era dominated by technology, "Good Bad Billionaire" will examine the minds and morals of the tech titans who shape our digital world. The podcast will delve into the meteoric rise of TikTok, the Chinese social media platform that took the world by storm, and analyze the strategic investments of ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman, who built a billion-dollar fortune by backing tech startups like Reddit and Airbnb. Listeners will also discover how Google co-founder Sergey Brin revolutionized the internet by creating the planet's most popular search engine.

Throughout the season, Simon and Zing will delve into the complexities of wealth and power. They will analyze the strategies, motivations, and morals of tech titans, Wall Street moguls, pop stars, sporting legends, CEOs, and entrepreneurs, ultimately asking what it truly takes to join the exclusive club of billionaires.

The hosts will encourage listeners to form their own judgments, assessing whether each billionaire is "good," "bad," or somewhere in between. "You can tell a lot about someone by following their money - and how they made it," says Zing Tsjeng, "so I'm thrilled to be back with Simon to explore even more eyebrow-raising stories of the mega-rich."

Simon Jack adds, "Since we made our last series, there are now 141 more billionaires on the planet. With this number increasing each year, there is no better time to shine a light on the world’s richest people and to assess whether we think they are using their power for good. Season two promises more scandal and intrigue as we ask why dozens of people have more than billions of others.”

"Good Bad Billionaire" Season 2 promises to be a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of wealth, power, and morality. With 20 episodes packed with captivating stories and insightful analysis, the podcast invites listeners to join Simon and Zing on a journey into the world of billionaires, where they can make their own judgments about the impact of these individuals on society.

New episodes of "Good Bad Billionaire" launch on July 29th and are released every Monday, wherever you get your podcasts. Listeners can access the latest episode a week early on BBC Sounds.