Focusing on American immigration and listening to American stories: How many people can rise again after midlife setbacks, transform the despair of failure into the motivation to reclaim their dreams, and after owning their own business empire, refuse to be content with success in the business world and instead engage in politics as a catalyst for change.
Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of New York, is such a person, managing one of the world's most prosperous and diverse metropolises, yet taking only a symbolic annual salary of one dollar; he is not the wealthiest billionaire, but he is the lowest-paid politician; he has written his life story through hard work and hopes to use his power to change the lives of many.
Coming from humble beginnings, a Harvard graduate, a Wall Street elite, and the founder of Bloomberg L.P., Bloomberg's story of struggle is considered a standard example of the American Dream.
Born in 1942 to a middle-class family and of Jewish descent, Bloomberg earned his Master of Business Administration from Harvard University in 1966. After graduating, he joined Salomon Brothers as a stock trader and quickly became a partner due to his outstanding intellect. After Salomon Brothers was acquired in 1981, Bloomberg was ousted due to internal disputes. Sensing a business opportunity from Wall Street's demand for real-time business information, he used the $10 million severance package he received upon his dismissal as initial capital to establish Bloomberg L.P., which later grew into Bloomberg News, and subsequently launched Bloomberg Radio, Television, and a website. In November 2001, Bloomberg was elected as the 108th Mayor of New York City, and he was re-elected in 2005 and 2009.
With only two months left in his term, a prominent countdown clock hangs on the wall of his office facing the sun, constantly reminding this innovative Mayor of New York that his curtain call is not far away.
Bloomberg's wealth is astonishing. With a fortune of $31 billion, he ranks 13th on the world's billionaire list. He is wealthy enough to fund his own campaigns without relying on outside funding, thus avoiding entanglements with interest groups and not having to consider how to reciprocate to "donors" after being elected.
The freedom that money brings allows Bloomberg to fully express himself, leaving a deep personal mark on the international metropolis of New York. Green, health, and efficiency are key principles of his administration. He has repeatedly urged President Obama and Congress to prioritize gun control, and he implemented a ban on the sale of large sugary sodas in restaurants and cinemas under his mayoral authority, although this proposal was ultimately rejected by the New York State Supreme Court, some New York restaurants have voluntarily complied with this regulation. Ten years ago, he implemented a smoking ban, making New York City a leader in smoke-free legislation across the United States. Over the past decade, the average lifespan of New Yorkers has increased, and smoking rates among adults and teenagers have significantly declined. Bloomberg has been dubbed the "Nanny Mayor" for his focus on managing health-related issues for citizens.
Bloomberg's business acumen has helped New York City maintain a budget surplus for many years. He has sought ways to streamline government agencies, saving a total of $6.5 billion from 2008 to the present. As a super-rich individual, Bloomberg is passionate about philanthropy, donating hundreds of millions of dollars to support the development of culture and arts in New York.
However, Bloomberg's strong-handed style has also alienated many liberals, who feel he is too overbearing. An article in The New York Times described him as a respected yet unapproachable Mayor of New York.
Regarding the mixed reviews from the public, Bloomberg appears unfazed, believing that the dissemination of ideas takes time. True leadership, he asserts, is about sticking to what one believes is right and garnering enough support for it, rather than yielding to popular opinion.
He seems not to care much about his approval ratings. He believes that if his approval ratings remain high when he leaves office, it means he has wasted his last few years.
Bloomberg's successor was announced this week, with Democratic candidate Bill de Blasio winning overwhelmingly, reclaiming the mayoral seat lost to the Democrats for 20 years. It is certain that Bloomberg has set a high benchmark for his successor.
When discussing future plans, the 71-year-old remains ambitious. In an interview with Forbes magazine, he expressed a sense of farewell, stating that after leaving office, he will pursue some things he has always wanted to do but never had the time for, such as learning Spanish. He firmly stated that he wants to speak as fluently as a native Spanish speaker.