Nicolas Darvas : The Dancer Who Danced His Way to Millions

Born in Hungary, Nicolas Darvas embarked on a remarkable journey from economist to renowned stock market guru. Fleeing his homeland at 23 to escape the looming threat of Nazi and Soviet occupation, Darvas arrived in Istanbul with little more than a forged exit visa and a meager fifty pounds sterling.

During his stint as a professional dancer, Darvas dedicated his spare time to devouring over 200 books on the market and its legendary figures, committing up to eight hours a day to his studies. Applying his newfound knowledge, Darvas made his initial investments in stocks hitting their 52-week highs, only to be astounded as their values continued to soar.

Relying heavily on Barron’s magazine for stock selection, Darvas meticulously honed his trading strategies until, at the age of 39, he had amassed a fortune worth documenting. His seminal work, “How I Made $2,000,000 in the Stock Market,” not only chronicles his journey but also introduces his groundbreaking ‘box system’ for buying and selling stocks.

Decades after its publication, Darvas’ book remains an enduring classic in the realm of stock market literature, offering invaluable insights into the mind of a self-made millionaire and the techniques that propelled him to success.