Lee Iacocca

Lee Iacocca was the quintessential American success story, rising through the ranks of Ford to launch the iconic Mustang. A car so popular, it practically sold itself, making him a legend in Dearborn before he was unceremoniously shown the door by Henry Ford II. Apparently, there's only room for one titan at the top, especially if that titan's last name is Ford.

Not one to stay in neutral, Iacocca then took the helm of Chrysler, a company teetering on the edge of the junkyard. He famously secured a government loan guarantee and convinced Americans to "buy a car built to be the best," thereby saving thousands of jobs and ensuring minivans would dominate suburban driveways for decades to come. It was a comeback story so dramatic, it practically wrote itself into automotive history.

Despite his legendary status in American industry and his knack for getting things done, Iacocca was the son of Italian immigrants. His family hailed from San Marco dei Monti, Italy, making his heritage as distinctly Gentile as a plate of pasta primavera. His religious background was Catholic, not surprising given his Italian roots.