Who won the first season of 'The Apprentice'?

Bill Rancic won the first season of 'The Apprentice'. The Chicago-based entrepreneur defeated investment manager Kwame Jackson in the season finale and was hired by Donald Trump.

The first season aired on NBC from January 8 to April 15, 2004. Sixteen candidates competed in business tasks involving sales, marketing, negotiation, and project management. Contestants were divided into two teams, Versacorp and Protégé, with one person eventually fired after each losing task.

Rancic was known for his cigar business and performed consistently throughout the competition. His victory earned him a one-year, $250,000 position working for Trump. Kwame Jackson was the runner-up, while Troy McClain and Omarosa Manigault were eliminated earlier in the season.

A common mix-up is confusing the winner with the runner-up, Kwame Jackson, or with later contestants who became more prominent in the show's publicity. The first season's success helped make 'The Apprentice' one of NBC's biggest new hits of 2004.