C arl Icahn is one of the most famous and feared investors in American history, known as a pioneer of shareholder activism and corporate raiding. Growing up in Queens, New York, Icahn began his career on Wall Street as a stockbroker. He soon moved into risk arbitrage and then into the aggressive investment strategy that would define his career: taking large stakes in undervalued public companies and forcing their management and boards to make changes to unlock shareholder value.

For decades, through his publicly traded vehicle, Icahn Enterprises, he has launched high-profile campaigns against dozens of major corporations, including TWA, Texaco, and Apple, often demanding board seats, pushing for asset sales, or advocating for buybacks. His tactics have earned him a reputation as a ruthless corporate raider, but also as a champion for shareholders against entrenched management. Despite his age, he remains one of the most active and influential investors on Wall Street, and his presence in a company's stock is often enough to spark significant change.