Sir Tim MartinThe 69-year-old maestro started his life in 1955 in Northern Ireland; his father worked for Guinness, and he soon followed in his father's footsteps.
Despite studying law at Nottingham University and qualifying as a barrister, Sir Tim decided to go into the pub business. Believing he could run his own pub, he bought his first one in North London at the age of 24.
It was 1979 and the pub in upmarket Muswell Hill was originally called Martin's Free House before being renamed Wetherspoon – a common jibe against a previous teacher who said Sir Tim would never become a businessman.
Muswell Hill has now become an even more desirable location, being just five miles from central London but still providing a green, suburban feel. The high street boasts independent restaurants and good shops for residents.
At home in Muswell Hill, a five-bedroom family home can sell for £2.5m; the most affordable property At the time of writing, there is a one-bedroom ground floor flat on the market in the area for £275,000.
As Sir Tim's success grew, more pubs opened across London, allowing him and his now wife Felicity to expand their family.
Given that the couple had four children (they now have 10 grandchildren between them), they may have had even more incentive to ensure Weatherspoon's prosperity.
In 1992, JD Wetherspoon shares were floated on the stock exchange and by 2000, the 400th Wetherspoon branch opened its doors to the public.
With most pubs in historic buildings, the hallmark of a JD Wetherspoon pub is its vibrant carpet, extensive menu and affordable prices.
JD Wetherspoon plc is now worth around £945m on the stock market and Sir Tim, 69, lives a private life in Exeter, Devon, with his wife.
According to the UK's largest property portal Rightmove, the average price of houses in Exeter over the last year was £342,815. The majority of sales in Exeter over the last year were terraced houses, with an average price of £310,177. Semi-detached houses sold for an average of £362,035 and flats for £197,214.
However, more luxurious homes can bring in much more. Currently, one property on Rightmove The 16,684 sq ft eight-bedroom home with outbuildings and acres of land is on the market for £4 million.
Exeter is an ancient city on the River Exe in south-west England, in the county of Devonshire, famous for being home to Exeter Cathedral, the most visited attraction in the West Country. The historic city is one of two in the county, and is renowned for its wealth of attractions and things to do, including visiting the City Underground and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, a world-class museum with stunning displays and galleries.
Over the years, Exeter has become a desirable place to live due to its proximity to Dartmoor and the coast.