Harry Macklowe, New York real estate developer and art collector, is known for bold, high-stakes deals that reshaped the Manhattan skyline. Founder of Macklowe Properties, he developed iconic projects such as 432 Park Avenue, one of the tallest residential towers in the Western Hemisphere. His career has been marked by both spectacular successes and dramatic setbacks, including a leveraged $7 billion office portfolio purchase in 2007. Beyond real estate, Macklowe gained global attention for his blue-chip art collection, reinforcing his image as one of New York’s most colorful and audacious moguls.

Hansjörg Wyss, Swiss billionaire and philanthropist, built his fortune through medical device maker Synthes, which he sold to Johnson & Johnson for nearly $20 billion in 2012. An engineer by training, Wyss expanded Synthes into a global leader in orthopedic implants before turning his focus to large-scale philanthropy. Through the Wyss Foundation, he has committed billions to environmental conservation, scientific research, and public interest journalism, becoming one of the world’s most influential advocates for protecting wild lands and advancing sustainable solutions.

George Soros, legendary investor and philanthropist, made his fortune through the Quantum Fund, which delivered outsized returns and cemented his reputation as one of the greatest hedge fund managers of all time. Famous for “breaking the Bank of England” in 1992 with a $1 billion profit bet against the pound, he later shifted his focus toward global philanthropy, channeling more than $30 billion into his Open Society Foundations to promote democracy, human rights, and education. Soros remains an influential—often controversial—figure at the intersection of finance, politics, and global affairs.

George Bishop, founder of GeoSouthern Energy, built his fortune in oil and gas by focusing on shale plays and unconventional drilling. Starting his career in the energy sector in the 1980s, he grew GeoSouthern into a major player in the Eagle Ford Shale of Texas before selling a large stake to Devon Energy for $6 billion in 2013. Known for his low profile and disciplined approach, Bishop has since diversified into other energy ventures and real estate, establishing himself as one of America’s quietest self-made billionaires.

Forrest Lee Preston, a self-made billionaire, founded Life Care Centers of America in 1970 and built it from a single facility in Cleveland, Tennessee, into one of the nation’s largest privately held networks of nursing homes, assisted-living, and retirement communities. As sole owner and CEO, he has overseen more than 200 locations across 27 states, employing over 30,000 people and serving tens of thousands of residents. Known for his hands-on control and aggressive expansion, Preston has navigated regulatory challenges and industry upheavals, cementing his reputation as a dominant force in the senior-care sector.

Edward P. “Ed” Roski Jr. is the billionaire president and chairman of Majestic Realty Co., one of the largest privately held real estate developers in the U.S., with over 80–90 million square feet of industrial and commercial properties. A decorated Vietnam veteran who earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star, he is also a part-owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings, co-founded the Land of the Free Foundation supporting veterans, and serves on USC’s board and numerous museum and civic boards. 

Drayton McLane Jr. is a self-made billionaire business magnate and philanthropist best known for building the McLane Company into a nationwide grocery and logistics powerhouse—growing revenue from $3 million to $19 billion—and later selling it to Walmart in 1990. He served as vice-chairman of Walmart while expanding The McLane Group, a family-owned holding company investing globally. He also owned and led the Houston Astros from 1993 to 2011 as chairman and CEO, becoming the first Texas team to reach the World Series under his tenure.

Dennis R. Washington is a self‑made billionaire industrialist who founded The Washington Companies, a diversified conglomerate spanning heavy construction, mining, railroads, marine shipping, aviation, equipment, and environmental cleanup. From starting with a single bulldozer in Montana, he built a business empire that now includes Seaspan Marine and Montana Rail Link—and is rated one of Montana’s wealthiest residents. 

David Walentas is the self-made real estate developer behind Two Trees Management, the Brooklyn firm that transformed Dumbo and Williamsburg from industrial decline into high-end residential and creative districts. A University of Virginia alumnus, Walentas began with a small Manhattan partnership in 1968 and leveraged $12 million to acquire nearly 2 million sq ft in Dumbo, reshaping it through bold vision and rezoning advocacy.

Charles R. Schwab is the pioneering founder, longtime CEO, and current Co‑Chairman of The Charles Schwab Corporation, which he started in 1971. Renowned for revolutionizing the discount brokerage industry—offering low-cost, tech-driven trading and eliminating commissions—he built one of the largest global investment firms managing over $10 trillion in client assets and serving more than 32 million accounts. Semi-retiring in 2008, he remains the largest individual shareholder and leads the Schwab Foundation’s education and dyslexia initiatives. 

Charles Butt is the chairman and CEO of H‑E‑B, the San Antonio‑based supermarket chain founded by his grandmother in 1905. Taking over leadership in 1971, he transformed H‑E‑B into a $39–42 billion private company with over 400 stores across Texas and Mexico. A Wharton and Harvard MBA alum, Butt is also a generous philanthropist—pledging more than $150 million to education initiatives and public school teachers, and earning Mexico’s Aztec Eagle Medal for cross-border giving.

Carl Icahn is the legendary activist investor and founder of Icahn Enterprises, the diversified conglomerate he controls with an 86% stake. Born in Brooklyn in 1936, he helped pioneer shareholder activism as a high-stakes corporate raider—targeting companies like Trans World Airlines and Time Warner—then transitioned into long-term value investing. His bet on CVR Energy has since become the financial backbone of Icahn Enterprises amid broader portfolio volatility.

Bill Marriott is the hospitality titan who transformed a root-beer stand into a global lodging empire as the long-time CEO and executive chairman of Marriott International. A University of Utah alumnus and former naval officer, he introduced innovations like revenue management, spearheaded the company’s 1993 split, and expanded the brand into luxury, mid-market, and vacation segments—setting industry standards through his hands-on leadership.

Bernard Saul, II is an American billionaire and real estate entrepreneur, serving as Chairman & CEO of Saul Centers since 1993. An heir to the historic B.F. Saul Company—a mortgage and property firm founded in 1892—he transformed the legacy business into a publicly traded REIT managing 9 million sq ft across Washington DC–area office and retail properties, and sold Chevy Chase Bank to Capital One in 2009.  

Alfonso Fanjul Jr. is the Chairman and CEO of Fanjul Corp., a privately held sugar and real estate conglomerate with deep roots in both Cuba and the United States. As the public face of the Fanjul family empire, he oversees Florida Crystals and Domino Sugar, playing a pivotal role in the U.S. sugar industry. Known for his political connections, philanthropic activity, and low public profile, Fanjul has shaped policy and commerce in agriculture and beyond.

Jorge Paulo Lemann is a Brazilian-Swiss billionaire, investment banker, and businessman. He is one of the founders of 3G Capital, a global investment firm known for its acquisitions of major companies such as Anheuser-Busch, Burger King, and Heinz. Lemann is also recognized for his low-profile lifestyle despite his significant wealth and influence in global business.

Harry Triguboff is an Australian billionaire real estate developer, founder, and managing director of Meriton, Australia's largest apartment developer. He is known for his significant impact on Sydney's skyline and his influential role in the Australian property market.

Donald Bren is an American businessman and philanthropist, known as the chairman and owner of the Irvine Company, one of the largest real estate companies in the United States. He has been instrumental in developing and transforming the landscape of Orange County, California. With a keen focus on urban planning and sustainable development, Bren is one of the most influential figures in the real estate industry.

Kushal Pal Singh is an Indian real estate mogul and the chairman of DLF Limited, one of the largest real estate development companies in India. Known for transforming the urban landscape of Gurgaon (now Gurugram), Singh has been a pivotal figure in India's real estate sector, contributing significantly to the development of modern infrastructure.

Rupert Murdoch is an Australian-born American media mogul, known for founding and leading News Corporation, one of the world's largest media conglomerates, significantly influencing global media landscapes.