NEW YORK -- The combined wealth of Forbes magazine’s 2015 ranking of the richest people in America, The Forbes 400, is $2.34 trillion, up from $2.29 trillion in 2014 and the highest ever. The average net worth of a Forbes 400 member is an astounding $5.8 billion, the highest to date, up from $5.7 billion last year. Net worth increased for 202 members and decreased for 119 members.
Bill Gates retains the top spot on The Forbes 400 for the 22nd straight year, at $76 billion, down $5 billion from 2014:
- Bill Gates, Microsoft ($76 billion)
- Warren Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway ($62 billion)
- Larry Ellison, Oracle ($47.5 billion)
- Jeff Bezos, Amazon ($47 billion)
- Charles Koch, [diversified] ($41 billion)
- David Koch, [diversified] ($41 billion)
- Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook ($40.3 billion)
- Michael Bloomberg, Bloomberg LP ($38.6 billion)
- Jim Walton, Wal-Mart ($33.7 billion)
- Larry Page, Google ($33.3 billion)
Individuals who built their fortunes as gas-station and convenience-store industry suppliers fared better than retailers on the list:
Retail
No. 86: Kelcy Warren, Energy Transfer Equity (ETE)/Energy Transfer Partners (ETP), $4.6 billion.
Energy Transfer Equity LP, Dallas, is master limited partnership (MLP) that owns the general partner and 100% of the incentive distribution rights (IDRs) of Energy Transfer Partners LP (ETP). It owns Sunoco Inc. and Susser Holdings Corp. Houston-based Sunoco LP is an MLP that distributes motor fuel to convenience stores, independent dealers, commercial customers and distributors. It also operates more than 150 convenience stores and gas stations. While primarily engaged in natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil and refined products transportation, ETP also operates a retail and fuel distribution business through its interest in Sunoco LLC, as well as wholly owned subsidiaries, Sunoco Inc. and Stripes LLC, that operate approximately 1,100 convenience stores and gas stations.
No. 108: Tom & Judy Love, Love’s, $4.8 billion.
Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores Inc., based in Oklahoma City, has more than 350 truckstops in 40 states.
No. 234 Jimmy Haslam, Pilot Flying J, $2.9 billion.
Based in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot Flying J has approximately 725 truckstops in 46 states and Canada. Haslam also owns the Cleveland Browns professional football team.
No. 327: Bill Haslam, Pilot Flying J, $2.1 billion.
Bill Haslam, brother of Jimmy Haslam, is governor of Tennessee and the richest elected official in America.
Suppliers
No. 18: Forrest Mars Jr., Mars, $22.4 billion.
No. 18: Jacqueline Mars, Mars, $22.4 billion.
No. 18: John Mars, Mars, $22.4 billion.
No. 129: Steve & Lynda Resnick, POM Wonderful, Fiji Water, $4.3 billion.
No. 149: Christopher Reyes, Reyes Beverage Group, Martin-Brower (food distribution), Reinhart Foodservice, $3.7 billion.
No. 149: Jude Reyes, Reyes Beverage Group, Martin-Brower (food distribution), Reinhart Foodservice, $3.7 billion.
No. 149: Alejandro Santo Domingo, SABMiller, $4.6 billion.
No. 256: William Wrigley Jr, Wrigley, $2.6 billion.
No. 279: C. Dean Metropoulos, Pabst, Hostess, $2.4 billion.
No. 375: Drayton McLane, Wal-Mart, McLane Co., $1.84 billion.
Click here to view the full list and profiles.
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