People in general have an inherent need for 'heroes'. This need for an idolized leader, the protector of all and the 'savior of humanity' has manifested itself across the ages and I don't think there's a need to enumerate the instances. This recurrent phenomena will not fade away soon. I'm sure that in many cases these self-made achievers have thanked and acknowledged those who got them there, whether in public or in private. The problem is that the masses want only one hero and can only remember one.

Edit-- This might be relevant: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/what-makes-a-hero-matthew-winkler