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The 10 most famous investors of all time

Legendary track records, opposite philosophies, timeless lessons. These are the names that defined what investing means — and many can still be followed in 13F filings.

01 Warren Buffett~20% compounded annually for nearly 60 years with Berkshire Hathaway: the most extraordinary long track record ever documented.
02 Jim SimonsThe mathematician of the Medallion Fund: ~66% gross per year for thirty years. No one comes close.
03 Peter Lynch29% a year for 13 years with the Magellan fund: the people's manager, "buy what you know".
04 George SorosThe man who broke the Bank of England: ~30% a year for thirty years with the Quantum Fund.
05 Ray DalioFounder of the world's largest hedge fund and theorist of the "economic machine".
06 Benjamin GrahamThe father of value investing and Buffett's mentor: "The Intelligent Investor" remains the sacred text.
07 John BogleHe didn't beat the market: he gave it to everyone. Inventor of index funds and founder of Vanguard.
08 Carl IcahnHalf a century of aggressive activism: the corsair boards still fear.
09 Michael BurryThe big short against subprime: his generation's most famous contrarian.
10 Cathie WoodThe disruption bettor: loved and debated, she redefined transparent thematic management.

The returns cited are those historically documented over each manager's reference period: they aren't comparable with each other nor a guarantee of anything. Many of these investors can still be followed in quarterly 13Fs.