What should I have accomplished by 86?
See what remarkable builders and entrepreneurs achieved at age 86
Your Position
Notable Achievements at Age 86
Died in New York City
James H. Simons died peacefully on May 10, 2024, in New York City, surrounded by family.
Died of pneumonia in Plano, Texas
Zig Ziglar died on November 28, 2012 after a brief bout with pneumonia; he was buried/resting in McKinney, Texas.
Death of second wife Nancy Barry Munger
Nancy Barry Munger died at age 86; she had been a long-time partner in philanthropy and Stanford governance.
Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame
Recognized for historic contributions to public health and drug safety.
Death in Mumbai
Admitted in critical condition and died at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai on 9 October 2024 of age-related ailments; state funeral held 10 October 2024.
Will made public – bequest of ~₹10,000 crore (~US$1.2B)
His will (public after death) outlined donations and bequests totalling about ₹10,000 crore (~US$1.2 billion), including ~₹3,800 crore to RTEF and numerous staff/family bequests.
Inducted into National Aviation Hall of Fame
Honored with induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, Ohio for her contributions to aviation/space software.
Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
Elected a Fellow, recognizing his contributions to science and clinical practice.
Donated gag file and costumes to Smithsonian
Opened doors to National Museum of American History, offering iconic costumes and her gag file (48-drawer steel cabinet with ~50,000 jokes).
Man's Search for Meaning named among ten most influential books
1991 Library of Congress/Book of the Month Club survey named Man's Search for Meaning one of the ten most influential books in the U.S.
Died in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Ida Tarbell died on January 6, 1944 in Bridgeport, Connecticut after a long, influential career in journalism and public life.
Acquired Precision Castparts (~$37B)
Berkshire completed purchase of Precision Castparts in a deal valued at approximately $37 billion—the company's largest acquisition by dollar amount to that date.
Career tally: Major awards and honors summary
By 2025 Tomlin's career includes seven Emmy Awards, one Grammy, two Tony Awards (including a special Tony), a Kennedy Center honor, a Mark Twain Prize, and a SAG Life Achievement Award (per sources).
Company revenue passed €1 billion
Roland Berger generated revenues of over €1 billion in 2023 (company reported milestone).
McDonald's shareholders reject Icahn nominees (May 2022)
Only ~1% of shareholders voted for Icahn's nominees, representing a defeat for his campaign to change McDonald's pork sourcing policies.
Partnered with Barbara Tversky
From 2020, lived in New York City with Barbara Tversky, widow of Amos Tversky.
Moved to Georgia to be near son Scott
In approximately 2019 Bailey moved to Georgia to live near his son Scott and to receive family support in later years.
Won default judgment vs Nate Holzapfel ($250,000 damages)
In a lawsuit King alleged Nate Holzapfel misrepresented himself and edited an interview; a default judgment awarded fees and $250,000 damages to King.
💡 What this means for you
At age 86, 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.
Share Your Results
🎯 Challenge a Friend
See how your friends and colleagues compare at their age. Share this tool to start a friendly competition!
Explore Other Ages
View All Ages →How Do You Stack Up?
Compare your achievements at age 86 with industry leaders and see where you stand.