Walt Disney

From a Missouri Farm to Creating the Happiest Place on Earth

entertainment creative
Walt Disney

Net Worth

$1B

Born

December 5, 1901 (died age 65)

Country

United States

Occupation

Animator, Film Producer, Founder of The Walt Disney Company

Gender

male

Generation

Greatest Generation

Marital Status

married

Children

2

Single Parent Household

No

Education

High School

Industries

entertainment, creative

Wealth Category

billionaire

Wealth Origin

self-made

First-Gen Wealth

Yes

Overcame

  • • First animation company went bankrupt
  • • Lost creative control of first major character, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit
  • • Nearly lost everything financing Snow White
  • • Faced 1941 animator strike at his studio
  • • Multiple business failures before success

Walt Disney was an animator, film producer, and entrepreneur who founded The Walt Disney Company and created one of the most beloved entertainment empires in history. From Mickey Mouse to Disneyland, he revolutionized animation, theme parks, and family entertainment. His vision and perfectionism created a brand that has endured for over a century, making him one of the most influential figures in 20th century culture.

Career Timeline

1901

Born in Chicago, Illinois

1906 Age 5
Turning Point

Family moved to farm in Marceline, Missouri

1917 Age 16

Dropped out of high school; attempted to enlist in military

1918 Age 17
Milestone

Drove ambulance in France for Red Cross after WWI

1919 Age 18
Turning Point

Moved to Kansas City; began career in animation

1922 Age 21
Milestone

Founded Laugh-O-Gram Studio

1923 Age 22
Setback

Laugh-O-Gram went bankrupt; moved to Hollywood

1923 Age 22
Turning Point

Founded Disney Brothers Studio with brother Roy

1925 Age 24
Milestone

Married Lillian Bounds

1927 Age 26
Setback

Created Oswald the Lucky Rabbit; lost rights to distributor

1928 Age 27
Milestone

Created Mickey Mouse; Steamboat Willie premiered

1932 Age 31
Achievement

Flowers and Trees won first Academy Award

1934 Age 33
Turning Point

Began production on Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

1937 Age 36
Achievement

Snow White premiered; became highest-grossing film ever

1940 Age 39
Milestone

Pinocchio and Fantasia released; moved to Burbank studio

1941 Age 40
Setback

Animator strike; studio temporarily unionized

1950 Age 49
Achievement

Cinderella released; first live-action film Treasure Island

1954 Age 53
Milestone

Launched Disneyland TV show; began Disneyland construction

1955 Age 54
Milestone

Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California

1964 Age 63
Achievement

Mary Poppins released; won 5 Academy Awards

1965 Age 64
Milestone

Announced plans for Disney World in Florida

1966 Age 65
Setback

Died of lung cancer in Burbank, California

Notable Quotes

"All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them."

— Interview, 1954

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."

— Interview, 1956

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."

— Interview, 1950

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

— Quote attributed to Walt Disney, 1960

"I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing—that it was all started by a mouse."