Business & Tech

Who Are the Richest People in New York?

David Koch, the executive vice president of Koch Industries, is worth an estimated $36 billion, according to Forbes.

David Koch, the executive vice president of Koch Industries, is the richest person living in New York, according to Forbes.

Koch, who co-owns Koch Industries with his brother Charles, is worth an estimated $36 billion, good enough to claim the title of richest New Yorker and fourth-richest in the entire nation. 

Koch is one of 66 Empire State residents listed on the Forbes 400, a list of the 400 richest people in America. Microsoft founder Bill Gates tops the list with a net worth of $72 billion.

Here are the top-10 richest New Yorkers, with hometowns listed in bold and excerpts from Forbes:

David Koch
$36 billion, New York City

"New York City's richest resident David Koch is $6 billion richer than a year ago. He and his brother Charles, with whom he shares the fortune, own 84% of $115 billion (sales) Koch Industries...David was a top donor to the Republican Governors Association in 2013, giving $1.25 million to the cause."

Michael Bloomberg, $31 billion, New York City

"Michael Bloomberg is no longer the richest mayor in the world, merely the 16th richest person in the world...His lifetime philanthropic giving has reached $2.4 billion. Despite the giving, Bloomberg is richer than ever, with his fortune up $6 billion since last year, thanks to the performance of Bloomberg LP, the financial data firm he founded in 1982 after being fired from Salomon Brothers."

Carl Icahn, $20.3 billion, New York City 

"Carl Icahn has had his hand in almost every major story in corporate America over the last year...Icahn's brand of activist investing is as popular as ever. In August 2013, Icahn took to Twitter, setting both the Web and Wall Street on fire by announcing that he had acquired a large stake in Apple."

George Soros, $20 billion, Katonah

"The legend continues. In 2013, George Soros had a pretty good year, with Soros Fund Management delivering returns north of 22%...He continues to be a market moving force. The famous philanthropist, who is a big Democratic supporter, was also involved in major hedge fund battleground stocks last year."

Ronald Perelman, $14 billion, New York City

Ronald Perelman, the vaunted dealmaker known as much for his multiple marriages as his investments, has an increasingly diverse empire. In December he spent $1.84 billion to buy marketing company Valassis Communications....Wharton graduate began learning the buyout business from his father, attending board meetings when he was in elementary school." 

Rupert Murdoch & family, $13.4 billion, New York City

"Rupert Murdoch had an action-packed 2013 which included two major splits: the breakup of his company and a new divorce." 

James Simons, $12 billion, East Setauket 

"The "Quant King" retired from his $25 billion hedge fund firm, Renaissance Technologies, in 2010, but at 75 he continues to play a role at the firm and benefit from its funds, particularly the secretive and consistently profitable black-box strategy known as Medallion." 

John Paulson, $11.4 billion, New York City 

"The greatest comeback ever? After three very tough years, Paulson came roaring back in 2013. His $2.7 billion Recovery Fund posted net returns of 63%, his Paulson Enhanced funds returned 33% and the Advantage funds generated net returns north of 26%.

Samuel Newhouse, Jr., $8.9 billion, New York City 

"Samuel Irving Newhouse, known as "S.I." or Si," and his brother Donald own publishing powerhouse Advance Publications. Si runs the Condé Nast magazine division."

Ralph Lauren
, $7.7 billion, New York City 

"Fashion designer Ralph Lauren's net worth is unchanged from last year. Shares of his eponymous company hit an all-time high in August before receding in early 2014...An avid car collector, Lauren reportedly paid $1.4 million in August for LaFerrari, a hybrid supercar that can go from zero to 120mph in 7 seconds."


View the full Forbes 400 list here


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