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Notable Achievements at Age 56
Convicted of embezzlement (31 Mar 2025)
Convicted with other MEPs of embezzling over €4 million of European Parliament funds to pay National Front staff; sentenced to 4 years prison, 5‑year ban from public office, fined €100,000.
Died of non-small-cell lung cancer
Wojcicki died on Aug 9, 2024 after living with non-small-cell lung cancer for approximately two years.
CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year – Winner (2023)
Awarded CFDA American Menswear Designer of the Year (2023), a prominent industry prize elevating visibility.
Resigned U.S. Senate seat
Officially resigns from the U.S. Senate on January 18, 2021 to prepare for vice presidential inauguration.
Presided over 50–50 Senate; began casting tie-breaking votes
As President of the Senate in a 50–50 chamber, she began casting tie-breaking votes, including for the American Rescue Plan Act (2021).
Elected Vice President of the United States
Biden–Harris ticket defeats incumbent Trump–Pence in November 2020 election; Harris becomes Vice President-elect.
Convicted of cyberlibel (June 15, 2020)
Manila court found her guilty of cyberlibel; conviction carried potential prison term of 6 months to 6 years and fine of ₱400,000; widely condemned by international rights groups.
First woman of color on major-party national ticket
As the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, became the first Black woman and first Indian American to be on a major-party national ticket for VP.
Rebranded to Starling Bank
Company rebranded from Possible Financial Services to Starling Bank (Jan 2016).
American Institute of Architects New York Chapter Medal of Honor
Annabelle Selldorf received the AIANY Medal of Honor in recognition of her body of work.
Unveiled Microsoft Surface tablet
On June 19, 2012 Ballmer revealed Microsoft's Surface tablet — the company's first major consumer hardware tablet product.
Death
Steve Jobs died at home in Palo Alto from respiratory arrest related to his pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor.
Named to Time's TIME 100
Featured in Time magazine's 'TIME 100: The Most Influential People' (May 2007).
Founded Azim Premji Foundation
Established the Azim Premji Foundation, a nonprofit focused on improving school education and public education systems in India.
Co-founded Simons Foundation
Jim and Marilyn Simons founded the Simons Foundation to support research in mathematics and fundamental sciences.
Died in Silver Spring, Maryland
Rachel Carson died of a heart attack at home on April 14, 1964; her body was cremated; ashes partially interred and partially scattered in Maine.
Albert Lasker Award and Feltrinelli Award (Italy)
Received the prestigious Lasker Award for outstanding contributions to medicine (for the 'blue baby' operation); also awarded the Italian Feltrinelli prize.
Died of pneumonia in Chicago
Died on September 28, 1903 after catching a cold which developed into pneumonia during the traction campaign.
Death from assassination wounds
Dies of his wound at Petersen House (Apr 15, 1865, 7:22 a.m.); Vice President Andrew Johnson sworn in as President.
💡 What this means for you
At age 56, you're at a pivotal point where many successful entrepreneurs made their breakthrough. Whether you're building your first company or scaling an existing one, these examples show what's possible with focus and execution.
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