In 1997? when he was still riding his old battered Toyota?

Yeah, don't believe the hype. He studied at Princeton, worked for years at fintech, became Project Manager at a bank, and then V.P of a hedge fund, and he also got $300,000 from his parents to invest in his new company.

This wasn't a rags to riches story...

300k -> 125b is still staggering growth. All though, Andrew Carnegie still has him beat (in terms of inflation-adkusted wealth and starting position).

I think its likely that his professional writer wife will have had some input.

and many proof readings

You can, by using the benefit of the doubt.

This is Jeff Bezos

Hi Jeff, how you doing?

I'm great Rohan.

I guess I have been spotted.