36. From Billionaire to Bankrupt
The Hunt brothers hung on during much of the 1980s, but their luck ran out in 1988. That year, they lost a lawsuit accusing them of conspiracy related to their silver speculation. They were hit with hundreds of millions in liability and fines.
Nelson Hunt was hardest hit, and he ended up breaking the record for the biggest personal bankruptcy in America’s history. His assets were seized and sold to satisfy creditors, including his oil fields, house, bowling alley, and a $12 million coin collection.