Business & Finance: Lead Maneuver

When, 28 years ago, Simon I. Patiño was a bill collector for a Bolivian general store, he accepted from a debtor certain mountain lands instead of $250. The store discharged him after making him pay $250 in cash. Impoverished, he went to see the land, dug, discovered tin. Today he heads the Patiño Mines and Enterprises Consolidated, is one of the world's richest men, with a personal income exceeding that of the Bolivian Government. Although as Ambassador to France Patiño divides his time between Paris and his Biarritz castle, he is still the...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!