William Randolph Hearst III

Grandson of publishing legend William Randolph Hearst. William's father, George, was a prospector, land baron, U.S. senator who "won" failing San Francisco Examiner newspaper as payment for gambling debt in 1880. Only child, William (d. 1951), assumed control in 1887, built nation's largest newspaper chain via sensational "yellow" journalism. Infamously portrayed by actor Orson Welles in Citizen Kane. Today Hearst Corp. controls newspaper (San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle) and magazine (Cosmopolitan, Esquire) divisions, flourishing cable networks (stakes in ESPN, Lifetime, A&E). Also TV, radio stations. Longtime chief exec Victor F. Ganzi resigned suddenly in June amid reports of clashes with Hearst family over direction of the company.