Stuart Miller may have had the footprints to success but he certainly paved his own way to the top. Miller earned the acclaimed award of America’s most powerful people by Forbes in 2000.

Born in 1957 to father Leonard Miller (founder, Lennar Corporation), Stuart began mowing the lawns of Lennar’s model homes at age eleven. From an early age, Stuart was not interested in hand-me-downs. After mowing lawns, he began working on his father’s construction sites in order to save up money to buy his own car.

In 1979, Miller earned his BS from Harvard University and in 1982 he received his JD from the University of Miami. Stuart became president, CEO, and director of the Fortune 500 Lennar Corporation, a homebuilder and provider of financial services. In 1997, Lennar formed LNR Property Corporation, where Miller sat as chairman of the board. Stuart was responsible of the massive growth and success of Lennar, which turned it into one of the most profitable companies of the century. By 2004, Lennar had annual revenues of $6 billion. Stuart was innovative, highly motivated and an opportunist.

In 2006, Miller purchased his seven-bedroom $27-million mansion, which sits on one of Miami’s most exclusive private islands – Star Island – where he enjoys a life of luxury and exclusivity. This island is so elite it is only home to 32 residences including Sean Combs, Gloria Estafan, Rosie O’Donnel and Alex Rodriguez. The purchase of this home was the biggest sale on the island, which set a record for Miami Beach. His home sits on three one-acre lots and 300 feet of waterfront.

Stuart’s hard work has paid off and he now enjoys extravagant fishing trips with his friends and often attends glamorous charity events from Miami to Washington D.C.