Children not only in the United States but all across the globe cannot help but also feel giddy about Walt Disney, which has become a considerable part of their lives and constantly define and influence their growing up years. From movies to games and even fashion, young people take inspiration from Walt Disney’s creations. However, behind this giant mogul is an inspiring story. This article tells us about the story of how this man, Walt Disney, came to be.

It was on December 5, 1901 when Walt Disney was born to proud parents Elias and Flora in Chicago, Illinois. Walt was an addition to the family’s brood of five. After his birth, the family relocated to Marceline Missouri where he and his siblings spent a large chunk of their childhood.

Even at a young age, Walt manifested a talent for art and even made money out of selling his drawings and illustrations to their neighbors and friends. Since he developed such a strong passion for drawing, he pursued his dream to make a name in the field of art and enrolled at the McKinley High School in Chicago.

The simple and serene life in Chicago developed Walt’s love and appreciation for nature, wildlife, family, and community living. He also appreciated agriculture-related themes like green meadows and fields, fruits in a farm and other nature-inspired stuff. Even when he was raised in a strict home with his father acting as shrewd disciplinarian, this did not drain his hope to do his best in his art pursuits as he was consistently encouraged by his mother and elder brother Roy.

The fall of 1918 saw Walt enlisting in the military service but he was turned down because he was only sixteen then. He eventually found himself volunteering for the Red Cross where he was commissioned to France to drive an ambulance and conducting Red Cross personnel. One distinctive characteristic of the ambulance cars he drove were the Disney Cartoons splashed all over the vehicle.

After his Red Cross commitment in France, Walt strongly pursued his interests in commercial art and began his Laugh-O-Grams company. Even as it fell into bankruptcy, Walt did not give up and flew to Hollywood to start life anew despite only having twenty dollars in his pocket.

His "Alice Comedies" made a booming name for Walt in Hollywood. Later in 1925, he founded a family with his wife, Lillian Bounds who was also one of his employees. They were blessed with two daughters, Diane and Sharon.

Walt Disney soon created legendary, full-length animated musical features like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which premiered at the Carthay Theater in Los Angeles on December 21, 1937. This was shown during very critical times. Yet, the well-love musical feature still earned a whopping $1,499,000 for the company even at the height of the depression.

Today, the film is still considered a classic in the motion picture industry. Other animations produced later included Dumbo, Bambi, Fantasia and Pinocchio which also earned much for the industry.

It was in 1955 when one of Disney’s pet dreams, an organized amusement park became a reality. In addition, he pioneered a career in television where his TV productions began. In 1961, his Wonderful World of Color was the first show presented in full-color programming.

Walt Disney is indeed an iconic figure of the 20th century. He has taken the challenge to create a name tantamount to the values of optimism, creativity, success, and imagination. He has proven that obstacles can be overcome and adversities can be used to one’s advantage. A great man like him is indeed worthy of emulation.