Everything is life is a gamble, some pay off other don't. Ray Crok who founded the McDonald's empire did so at age 52 and was diabetic. Anything can happen, experience helps but persistence is always the key. Keep on fighting until things go your way. I've heard that story you shared before, and his business sense and experience surely helped him getting the new business going. It's tough over the age of 50 to build an empire, much easier at 20!
!hiqvote
You're right, anyone can accomplish anything at any age. I even heard one famous writer, can't remember the name now, I think it was the person who wrote Harry Potter, I heard they got published at a really old age.
The man in the documentary was wise, no doubt. But he was a frail man, honestly and you wouldn't think he was a billionaire. Perhaps it's all the the years of hustling.
However, we cannot emphasize the importance of experience enough, I think experience is something that makes a huge difference.