The rise of the deserving rich

More billionaires now derive wealth from providing useful goods and services, not inherited or system-gamed money.

Politicians, especially Democrats, increasingly decry billionaires' ill-gotten gains and influence.

John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil used weak competition laws and bribes to gain advantage.

Russian oligarchs in the 1990s seized state assets during violent chaos.

Oprah Winfrey, worth $3.4bn, is an example of a billionaire who made money without questionable monopolies or political favour.