Why Cirque Du Soleil Billionaire Guy Laliberte Traveled To Space

How Cirque du Soleil's fire-breathing billionaire Guy Laliberte actually got richer in 2008.

Cirque du Soleil's Guy Laliberte has reservations about flaunting his wealth during the recession.

Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte and the World Series of Poker announced plans Thursday for a special 2012 tournament that would require a record $1 million entry fee.Eleven percent of the fee for the contest, which he described as a "very interesting game of millionaires," would be donated to Laliberte's anti-poverty nonprofit foundation One Drop.

For the first time ever, the Cirque du Soleil is forecasting that this year its special brand of circus melding death-defying feats with plot-driven theater and haunting music will bring in over $1 billion in revenues.Founded by Guy Laliberte, the company has grown from a ragtag troupe of street performers in 1984 to a 5,000-employee entertainment giant presenting some 20 circus shows simultaneously around the world.

Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte said the US$35-million he paid to spend nine days on the International Space Station is “worth every penny,” even with the physical challenge of being in orbit.