Gates richest American, 3 tech chiefs join top 10

James Cargill, 66, an heir to the Cargill food and agriculture company who lives in Birchwood, according to Forbes, was eighth in the state and 211th – up from 235th – nationally with net worth of $3 billion.

There are no new aces at the top of the country’s billionaire heap: Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Berkshire Hathaway’s Warren Buffett and Oracle’s Larry Ellison are the leaders. “He says ‘My brand is worth $3-$5 billion dollars, ‘ just the Trump brand”. In terms of upward movement, Uber founder Travis Kalanick gained the most fortune in the past year.

The biggest downgrade for Trump’s net worth comes via the Trump brand. And even in a volatile year, these titans climbed higher to a collective $2.34 trillion.

Forbes editor Randall Lane says the magazine has put a new estimate on Donald Trump’s worth and regardless of what the billionaire says, he’s not worth billion. About half – 202 of the 400 – are worth more now than they were a year ago, while 119 people from last year’s list had lower net worths this year. Hyatt chairman Thomas Pritzker and movie investor Jean Pritzker lost $200 million each to fall to $3 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, and Jennifer Pritzker – believed to be the world’s only transgender billionaire – lost $50 million to fall to $1.75 billion and 389th place on the list.

Snapchat founder Evan Spiegel, age 25, is the youngest billionaire on the list.

Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry, 55, was the 358th-richest American, with a net worth of $1.9 billion.

The top industry for the wealthiest Americans is in investments (86 total). Other newcomers include private equity titan Robert Smith, the second-richest African-American, after Oprah Winfrey; and the three cofounders of rental-accommodations service Airbnb: Nathan Blecharczyk, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia.

If you’ve noticed fewer billionaires shopping for caviar at your local supermarket, you’re not mistaken – Illinois has three fewer representatives among the nation’s 400 wealthiest residents than it did previous year, according to Forbes magazine.