Who's the richest person in Texas? That title once again goes to Walmart heiress Alice Walton, of Fort Worth, according to the newly released Forbes 400 ranking. But second in line is Austin's Michael Dell — one of seven Austinites appearing on the list of the 400 richest people in the country.
The founder, chairman, and CEO of Round Rock-based Dell Technologies notches a net worth of $32.3 billion, according to Forbes. That puts him at No. 18 on the list of America’s billionaires. Impressively, his estimated net worth skyrocketed by almost $5 billion in just one year — in 2018, Forbes estimated his net worth at $27.6 billion.
Six other Austin billionaires join Dell:
- Venture capital entrepreneur Robert Smith, $5 billion. No. 14 in Texas; tied for No. 131 in U.S.
- Vodka tycoon Bert “Tito” Beveridge, $4.2 billion. Tied for No. 18 in Texas and No. 168 in U.S.
- Paul Mitchell and Patron founder John Paul DeJoria, $3.1 billion. Tied for No. 27 in Texas and No. 275 in U.S.
- Tech entrepreneur Thai Lee, $3 billion. Tied for No. 29 in Texas and No. 287 in U.S.
- Software entrepreneur Joe Liemandt, $3 billion. Tied for No. 29 in Texas and No. 287 in U.S.
- Private equity entrepreneur Brian Sheth, $2.2 billion. Tied for No. 37 in Texas and No. 370 in U.S.
With an estimated net worth at $51.4 billion, Walton is the 11th richest person in the country (and the richest person in the Lone Star State). Holding down third place in Texas, behind Dell, and 48th place in the U.S. is Dallas banker and real estate titan Andy Beal, with an estimated net worth of $9.8 billion.
This year, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones got muscled out of the No. 4 spot in Texas by Stan Kroenke, whose professional sports holdings include the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. The estimated net worth of Kroenke, who owns a 520,000-acre ranch west of Wichita Falls, is $9.7 billion, compared with $8.6 billion for Jones. That puts Kroenke in 49th place and Jones in 56th place among the richest Americans.
Kroenke’s wife, Walmart heiress Ann Walton Kroenke — also now apparently a Texan, according to Forbes — is tied for sixth place in the ranking of Texas billionaires. She shares that spot with Houston pipeline mogul Richard Kinder. Forbes estimates they’re each worth $7.5 billion, putting them both at No. 67 on the national wealth ladder.
Here are the other Texans who made it onto this year’s Forbes 400, in order of ranking:
- Randa Duncan Williams, who recently purchased Texas Monthly, and her siblings Dannine Avara, Scott Duncan, and Milane Frantz, all of whom live in Houston. Each boasts an estimated net worth of $6.3 billion, tying them for the eighth place in Texas and 100th place nationally.
- Omni Hotels and Gold’s Gym king Robert Rowling of Dallas is worth $5.5 billion. No. 12 in Texas. Tied for No. 119 in U.S.
- Oil and gas heir Ray Lee Hunt of Dallas. $5.2 billion No. 13 in Texas. No. 127 in U.S.
- Oil heir Robert Bass of Fort Worth. $4.9 billion. Tied for No. 15 in Texas and No. 140 in U.S.
- Restaurant mogul and Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta of Houston. $4.9 billion. Tied for 15th in Texas and No. 140 in U.S.
- Pipeline executive Kelcy Warren of Dallas. $4.3 billion. No. 17 in Texas. Tied for No. 159 in U.S.
- Margot Birmingham Perot of Dallas, widow of tech entrepreneur H. Ross Perot. $4.2 billion. Tied for No. 18 in Texas and No. 168 in U.S.
- Tech entrepreneur and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban of Dallas. $4.1 billion. No. 20 in Texas. Tied for No. 179 in U.S.
- Toyota titan Dan Friedkin of Houston. $4 billion. Tied for No. 21 in Texas. Tied for No. 187 in U.S.
- Houston Texans co-founder Janice McNair of Houston, widow of businessman and Texans co-founder Bob McNair. $4 billion. Tied for No. 21 in Texas and No. 187 in U.S.
- Energy executive Jeffery Hildebrand of Houston. $3.8 billion. No. 23 in Texas. Tied for No. 207 in U.S.
- Private equity giant David Bonderman of Fort Worth. $3.7 billion. Tied for No. 24 in Texas and No. 217 in U.S.
- Oil and gas chief Trevor Rees-Jones of Dallas. $3.7 billion. Tied for No. 24 in Texas and No. 217 in U.S.
- Former hedge fund manager John Arnold of Houston. $3.3 billion. No. 26 in Texas. No. 261 in U.S.
- Investor and oil heir Sid Bass of Fort Worth. $3.1 billion. Tied for No. 27 in Texas and No. 275 in U.S.
- Oil heir W. Herbert Hunt of Dallas. $2.6 billion. Tied for No. 31 in Texas and No. 333 in U.S.
- Investor and former grocery distributor Drayton McLane Jr. of Temple. $2.6 million. Tied for No. 31 in Texas and No. 333 in U.S.
- Hearing-aid titan Bill Austin of Brownsville. $2.4 billion. Tied for No. 33 in Texas and No. 355 in U.S.
- Energy mogul George Bishop of The Woodlands. $2.4 billion. Tied for No. 33 in Texas and No. 355 in U.S.
- Energy entrepreneur and Texas Rangers co-owner Ray Davis of Dallas. $2.3 billion. Tied for No. 35 in Texas and No. 363 in U.S.
- Big-time banker Gerald Ford of Dallas. $2.3 billion. Tied for No. 35 in Texas and No. 363 in U.S.
- Oil heir Edward Bass of Fort Worth. $2.2 billion. Tied for No. 37 in Texas and No. 370 in U.S.
- Oil heir Lee Bass of Fort Worth. $2.2 billion. Tied for No. 37 in Texas and No. 370 in U.S.
- Real estate developer H. Ross Perot Jr. of Dallas. $2.2 billion. Tied for No. 37 in Texas and No. 370 in U.S.
