David Simon, chairman, CEO, and president of Simon Property Group, has led the company to become the largest shopping mall operator in the United States and a global leader in retail real estate. Taking over leadership in the mid-1990s, he steered the Indianapolis-based firm through major acquisitions, including the purchase of Taubman Centers, and successfully navigated challenges posed by e-commerce and shifting consumer trends. Under his guidance, Simon Property Group has maintained dominance with hundreds of malls and premium outlets, while Simon himself has earned a reputation as one of the most influential executives in American real estate.

Herbert Simon, billionaire real estate developer, is chairman emeritus of Simon Property Group, the largest shopping mall operator in the United States. Alongside his late brother Melvin, he expanded the Indianapolis-based company into a global retail real estate powerhouse, with hundreds of malls and premium outlets worldwide. Under his leadership, Simon Property Group grew into a publicly traded giant and a bellwether of the retail industry. Beyond real estate, Simon is also known as owner of the NBA’s Indiana Pacers and as a philanthropist supporting education, culture, and community development.

Herbert Allen Jr., billionaire investment banker, is the former president and CEO of Allen & Company, the storied family-run boutique bank known for advising on some of Wall Street’s most significant media and technology deals. During his tenure, he helped solidify the firm’s reputation as a discreet but powerful player in mergers and acquisitions, particularly in entertainment, sports, and digital industries. Allen is also widely recognized for launching the annual Sun Valley Conference, an exclusive gathering of global business leaders, tech titans, and media moguls that has become a hallmark of elite dealmaking.

Henry Swieca, billionaire investor and hedge fund manager, cofounded Highbridge Capital Management in 1992, transforming it into one of the world’s leading alternative investment firms before selling a majority stake to JPMorgan Chase in 2004. After exiting Highbridge, he launched Talpion Fund Management, his family office, focusing on a broad range of investments across public and private markets. A child of Holocaust survivors, Swieca has coupled financial success with extensive philanthropy in education, Jewish causes, and healthcare, underscoring his reputation as both a disciplined investor and committed benefactor.

Raghuvinder Kataria, London-based Indian billionaire investor, built his fortune through strategic telecom and financial investments. After beginning his career in Dubai with Singer sewing machines, he moved into stockbroking and later co-founded investment firm Kataria Holdings. His most notable success came from an early stake in Bharti Airtel, India’s largest mobile operator, which generated substantial returns. Known for his low profile and long-term investment outlook, Kataria has diversified his wealth across real estate, equities, and private companies, cementing his position among Britain’s wealthiest residents of Indian origin.

Gregg Hymowitz, founder, chairman, and CEO of EnTrust Global, has built one of the world’s leading alternative investment firms, managing billions across hedge funds, private equity, real assets, and impact investments. With a career spanning decades in finance, Hymowitz launched EnTrust in 1997 and later orchestrated its merger with Permal to expand global reach. Known for his innovative approach to portfolio construction and commitment to ESG strategies, he has positioned EnTrust Global as a trusted partner for institutional investors worldwide.

George Marcus, Greek-American real estate mogul, is the founder and chairman of Marcus & Millichap, one of the largest commercial real estate brokerage firms in the United States. Since launching the company in 1971, he has expanded it into a nationwide powerhouse specializing in investment sales, financing, research, and advisory services. Beyond brokerage, Marcus also cofounded Essex Property Trust, a publicly traded REIT focused on West Coast multifamily housing, cementing his influence across both transactional and ownership sides of the real estate industry.

Geoffrey H. Palmer, founder of G.H. Palmer Associates, is one of Los Angeles’s largest apartment developers, with more than 13,000 units across the metro. He stamped downtown with Italianate mega-complexes like the Medici, Orsini, Piero, Da Vinci, and Lorenzo, and reshaped policy with the 2009 appellate win Palmer v. City of Los Angeles, which limited rental inclusionary mandates under California’s Costa-Hawkins Act. A prolific Republican donor, he remains a powerful—if polarizing—force in L.A. real estate.

Samih Sawiris, Egyptian billionaire and tourism mogul, transformed his family’s business acumen into a global hospitality and real estate empire. As founder of Orascom Development, he spearheaded the creation of integrated resort towns across Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East, blending luxury hotels, marinas, golf courses, and residential communities. Known for projects like El Gouna on Egypt’s Red Sea coast, Sawiris has combined visionary master planning with sustainable development, positioning himself as a leading force in high-end tourism and destination creation.

Salman Alhokair, Saudi businessman and prominent member of the Alhokair family, has played a key role in expanding the Fawaz Alhokair Group into one of the Middle East’s dominant retail, hospitality, and entertainment conglomerates. Building on the family’s legacy, he has overseen partnerships with top international brands and the development of large-scale shopping malls and lifestyle destinations. Known for blending global retail trends with regional market expertise, Alhokair continues to influence the evolution of consumer experiences across Saudi Arabia and the wider region.

Fawaz Alhokair, Saudi billionaire businessman, co-founded the Fawaz Alhokair Group and expanded it from a single menswear shop in 1989 into a retail giant representing leading global fashion brands. Under his leadership, the group diversified into shopping malls, hotels, and entertainment ventures, establishing a presence across the Middle East and beyond. Known for his entrepreneurial drive and ambitious expansion, Alhokair has played a pivotal role in modernizing Saudi Arabia’s retail landscape and connecting regional consumers with international brands.

Abdul Majeed Alhokair, Saudi businessman and investor, is a leading figure in the Kingdom’s retail, hospitality, and entertainment sectors. As a key member of the Alhokair family, founders of the Fawaz Alhokair Group, he has helped expand the conglomerate’s portfolio of international fashion brands, shopping malls, and hotels across the Middle East and beyond. Known for his role in diversifying the family business and embracing modern retail trends, Alhokair continues to influence the region’s consumer landscape through strategic investments and global partnerships.

Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud, Saudi billionaire investor and philanthropist, is the founder and chairman of Kingdom Holding Company, a global investment powerhouse with stakes in banking, hospitality, real estate, and technology. Known for high-profile holdings in companies like Citigroup, Four Seasons Hotels, and Twitter, he has combined bold, long-term investments with a flair for global deal-making. A member of the Saudi royal family, Al Waleed has also pledged the majority of his wealth to philanthropy, reinforcing his image as both a shrewd businessman and a global humanitarian.

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. 

Edward Johnson IV is an American billionaire heir and real‑estate executive in the Johnson family, which owns and controls Fidelity Investments. As President of Pembroke Real Estate—Fidelity’s global real-estate arm—he directs high-value acquisitions and developments including Boston’s Seaport Place. He also holds roughly 5–10 % of FMR LLC.

David Lichtenstein is a self-made real estate billionaire who founded The Lightstone Group in 1988. He began with a single multifamily unit and grew his firm into a diversified empire—owning 25,000 apartments and over 15 million sq ft of retail, industrial, hotel & life-sciences properties across 25+ states, with more than $9 billion in managed assets. He led major deals such as acquiring Prime Retail malls ($638 M) and Extended Stay Hotels ($8.1 B) and is active in civic service and board leadership across New York institutions. 

J. Christopher “Chris” Burch is an American entrepreneur and investor who founded Burch Creative Capital and co-founded Tory Burch LLC. A self-made billionaire, he started with Eagle’s Eye apparel—sold for $60 million—and built a diverse investment portfolio spanning fashion (BaubleBar, STAUD), hospitality (Faena Hotel + Universe, Nihiwatu resort), and consumer tech (Jawbone, Poppin). Known for his artistic aesthetic and creative ventures, he also launched C. Wonder and invests globally in lifestyle and venture brands.

Ben Ashkenazy is an Israeli‑American real estate billionaire who founded Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation in 1987, now overseeing a $12 billion global property portfolio. Known for strategic landmark deals like stakes in New York’s Plaza Hotel, Boston’s Faneuil Hall, and London’s Grosvenor House, he’s raised fresh capital to pursue discounted acquisitions—cementing his reputation as a bold, shrewd titan in commercial real estate.  

Bassam Alghanim is a Kuwaiti‑American billionaire heir and former CEO of Alghanim Industries, a sprawling Gulf conglomerate founded in 1932. He held a joint stake with his brother Kutayba—each controlling half—and today focuses on U.S. real estate (notably a Bel‑Air compound) and cannabis investments in Canada, while maintaining a low-profile philanthropic and business presence.

Barry Sternlicht is the billionaire founder, chairman & CEO of Starwood Capital Group and Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), overseeing over $120 billion in global real estate assets. He also founded Starwood Hotels, creating iconic brands like W Hotels and St. Regis. A passionate industry leader, he’s known for blending revenue-driven growth with hands-on hospitality strategy—and for his vocal views on market cycles and Fed policy.