The Power of Stars: Zodiac Signs of World-Famous Investors

For millennia, humans have sought meaning in the quilt of stars blanket the night sky. The ancient Babylonians, and later the Greeks, observed that stars move in a fixed pattern that changes seasonally over a year. The five planets visible to the naked eye, as well as the moon, appear to move through this pattern in a single plane known as the ecliptic.

The ancients divided the sky along the ecliptic into twelve equal sections named after characters from their religion – what we now call Greek mythology. These characters had traits that were believed to influence the behavior of and offer insights into people whose birth fell under their sign.

In present-day astrology, many of these beliefs persist. Qualities seen in successful investment leaders – such as charisma, determination, foresight, risk tolerance, empathy, and resilience – are believed by many to be predicted by the Zodiac.

Is there a relationship between investment success and the Zodiac? In this article, we’ll compare the behaviors of four successful investors against their signs.

Lawrence Joseph “Larry” Ellison – Leo

Let’s start with the flashiest of the astrological signs: Leo. According to the Zodiac, people born between July 23rd and August 22nd tend to flaunt their wealth and strive to climb the social ladder. As investors, they live in the fast lane; with a high tolerance for risk, they tend to make short-term investments that offer relatively quick returns. But beneath the flair, they are very financially literate and tend to have sound strategies.

Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle Corporation, is a Leo, which is evidenced by his high-risk, high-reward approach to business. He has shown extreme business savvy over the years, becoming a billionaire by 49, and somehow became an early investor in some of Oracle’s main competitors, such as Salesforce. It’s the ultimate hedge. The Leo in him shows in the Richard Mille – “the billionaire’s handshake” – adorning his wrist, his yacht-racing, and some of his more wild purchases, such as the Hawaiian island of Lanai, of which he owns 98%.

Elon Musk – Cancer

Driven by emotion tempered by a desire for stability, Cancer includes those born June 21st through July 22nd. Known by many as the most emotional of the Zodiac signs, these investors also work to create stability in their lives and, perhaps especially compared to Leos, often prefer lower-risk options for their portfolio.

Born on June 28, 1971, Elon Musk is a Cancer. As the only sign ruled by the Moon, Cancers are said to have a special connection with it and to be particularly affected by its phases. Just like the Moon influences the ocean’s tides, it may also help explain the emotional ups and downs that have at times found Musk in the news.

Astrologers attribute Cancer’s emotional swings to the Moon’s phases, as well as the astrological sign the Moon is currently in. A full Moon is said to intensify emotions, while a new moon signifies new beginnings. When the Moon is in a constellation such as Aries – known in Greek mythology as the god of war – a Cancer may be especially quick to anger but also particularly risk-averse. When the Moon is in Leo, a Cancer’s behavior may be especially dramatic.

Musk is famous for the balance he strikes between his work and family life, though in both, he often goes to extremes. He works 80 or more hours every week and is said to be a demanding boss but also shows emotional intelligence in his leadership. At the same time, his sign denotes a craving for close family and friends, which is perhaps evidenced by his 11 children and his relatively good relationships with his peers, including Larry Ellison and Peter Thiel.

Peter Thiel – Libra

Born between September 23rd and October 22nd, Libras are represented by scales – and for them, everything must be balanced. Libras tend to be deliberate thinkers and methodical in their approach to life; they will triple-check everything before committing to anything. Perhaps that is why the largest number of the world’s wealthiest people on the Forbes Billionaires List, including Ralph Lauren, Ken Griffin, and Alice Walton, have this Zodiac sign.

Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, Palantir, Founders Fund, and Thiel Capital Management, shows many of the traits of a Libra. Thiel first made a name for himself in 1998 when he co-founded Confinity, a software company designed to facilitate payments between Palm Pilots.

In 2000, Confinity merged with Musk’s X.com to form PayPal, a move in which Thiel’s leadership and strategic vision played a crucial role. PayPal went public in February 2002 and was acquired by eBay for USD 1.5 billion later that same year, making Thiel a multimillionaire.

Thiel continued as PayPal’s CEO until its sale. Afterward, perhaps due to his nature as a Libra, he was savvy enough to invest in several start-ups that proved to be influential. He was the first outside investor in Facebook (now Meta), an early supporter of SpaceX, and backed Airbnb in its earliest stages.

Warren Buffett – Virgo

“Failing to plan is planning to fail” is a universal aphorism that aligns well with the tendencies for meticulous planning and attention to detail that exemplify a Virgo. Virgos are born between August 23rd and September 22nd and, similar to Libras, are meticulous in their approach to finances and will often employ a strict organizational system.

It may come as no surprise that Warren Buffett, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is a Virgo. He is widely known for his simple but effective approach to investing: look for a margin of safety, perform due diligence, and stay the course. He is an avid proponent of index funds and the tried-and-true methods of investing, with a focus on the long-term, of course.

Whatever Your Sign, Embrace Your Style

While Zodiac signs and the meaning of the cosmos can be interesting to learn about, anyone can achieve success, regardless of the alignment of stars or the time of year they were born. What’s important is understanding your strengths and embracing the style of investing that works for you. Adhering to sound investment principles will get you far, regardless of your Zodiac sign.