Who writes these articles and how do they get their info?

Question

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2007/54/richlist07_Henry-Swieca_PI7J.html

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2008/10/billionaires08_Henry-Swieca_PI7J.html

http://www.thinkandask.com/2006/092307-hedge.html

how do they even know he has 4 daughters and where he went to school and stuff????

Answer 1

A lot of journalists find their stories by people who were around that time by the main subbject.

Answer 2

There are many opportunities for someone in a public corporation to present a biography. Sometimes it is gathered for the introduction of a speech, sometimes it's for something like the annual report, sometimes it's for a book like Who's Who? You'd be surprised how much you can find with a simple Internet search.