Part 10/13:
The story of Adam Newman, the flamboyant founder of WeWork, is a modern cautionary tale on unchecked ambition. Newman built a company that aimed to revolutionize office workspace but was marred by extravagance, questionable self-dealing, and financial mismanagement. His lavish lifestyle, including private jet use and property deals, clashed with the company’s shaky business model.
The 2019 IPO attempt exposed massive losses and unsustainable operations, wiping out billions in valuation. Despite the chaos, Newman managed to walk away with a potential billion-dollar payout, exemplifying how charisma and risk-taking can mask deep flaws until collapse is unavoidable.