There’s money. And then there’s money.
Even as one of the richest region’s in the country, these millionaires and billionaires are in a whole other echelon of wealth.
Alex Ovechkin
Signed a 13-year, $124 million contract in 2008
Arguably one of the best hockey players in NHL history, the Washington Capitals player led his team to the Stanley Cup last year—and pulled in millions in endorsements and bonuses (that’s on top of his already history-making $100 million-plus contract). The Russian Phenom’s contract is through the 2020-2021 season. Stay tuned to see what Ovechkin can command next.
Wild Wealth: Ovechkin bought a $4.2 million McLean mansion in 2012, where he lives with his wife and infant son.
Jeff Bezos
$112.9 billion net worth (according to Forbes)
The founder of Amazon and owner of The Washington Post created quite the frenzy when it was announced in late 2018 that Amazon would bring its second headquarters to Northern Virginia. Real estate prices near the Arlington and Alexandria neighborhoods of the new HQ2 immediately shot up and the online giant’s every move has been breathlessly covered. Bezos bought a massive house (the largest in DC) in the Kalorama neighborhood for $23 million in cash, according to media reports, in 2017.
Wild Wealth: According to Business Insider, Bezos bought a $65 million private jet (a Gulfstream G650ER) in 2018. The eight-seat jet touched down many times in the NoVA region as he scouted for his new Amazon headquarters.
Ted Leonsis
$1.3 billion net worth (according to Forbes)
The founder and CEO of Monumental Sports is the man behind a trifecta of DC’s sports teams (Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals and Washington Mystics). He got his start—and built his wealth—at a little company called AOL, which was originally headquartered in Fairfax. He is also the co-founder of Revolution Growth, with AOL’s Steve Case.
Wild Wealth: Leonsis lived in a McLean mansion until 2012, when he moved to a 13-acre enclave, Marwood Estate, in Potomac, Maryland.
Joe Biden
$9 million net worth (according to Forbes)
The former vice president and current presidential candidate may be known to many as “Middle-Class Joe,” but the politician, thanks to real estate, investments, speaking engagement fees and a $1 million pension, is living more than comfortably. He lives in McLean with his wife, Jill, in a rented $4.5 million home (with an estimated rent of $20,000 per month, according to The Washington Post), which is owned by next-door neighbor—and well-known entrepreneur, philanthropist and Kastles owner—Mark Ein.
Wild Wealth: In addition to renting his high-dollar digs in McLean, Biden owns a $2.7 million 4,800-square-foot vacation home in Wilmington, Delaware, according to The Washington Post.
Steve Case
$1.5 billion net worth (according to Forbes)
The founder of AOL and, more recently, investment firm Revolution has been a fixture in Northern Virginia since AOL was simply an internet startup. Today, he and his wife, Jean (who is chair of the board of National Geographic), also have a passion project in Early Mountain Vineyards in NoVA wine country.
Wild Wealth: Not your typical empty nesters, the Case’s “downsized” a few years ago when they sold their McLean estate, Merrywood, for $43 million, which was the childhood home of Jackie O. They now spend their time between their farm in Virginia and a pied-a-terre in DC.
Max Scherzer
Signed a seven-year, $210 million contract in 2015
Washington Nationals pitcher (and now World Series champion) Max Scherzer signed a $210 million contract that puts him on the baseball team’s lineup through 2028. He’s known as Mad Max on the mound—and it looks like taking a chance on the free agent with that eye-popping pay day paid off. The team won the World Series for the first time ever this season.
Wild Wealth: In 2015, the same year he signed his contract, Scherzer bought a mansion in—where else?—McLean for a reported $5.2 million.
David Rubenstein
$3.3 billion net worth (according to Forbes)
A founder of the massive private equity firm Carlyle Group (with $222 billion in assets under management), Rubenstein lives in Bethesda, but his philanthropic fingerprints are all over Virginia. He’s donated millions to American historic icons like Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, James Madison’s Montpelier and Robert E. Lee’s Arlington House. In 2014, he also established the David M. Rubenstein Fund at Arlington’s public broadcasting affiliate, WETA, to support the creation of programming that celebrates American culture, history and public affairs.
Wild Wealth: The reopening of the Washington Monument was partly thanks to Rubenstein. The philanthropist has donated over $10 million over the years for its restoration.
Dan Snyder
$2.6 billion net worth (according to Forbes)
The longtime Redskins owner hasn’t gotten a lot of great press of late, thanks to the team’s losses and the ongoing controversy over the team’s name. But, despite those struggles, Snyder continues to grow his wealth.
Wild Wealth: In early 2019, Snyder made headlines with the purchase of a 305-foot superyacht. Named Lady S, the big boat’s price tag clocked in at more than $100 million. According to media reports, it includes the world’s first floating IMAX theater.
Jacqueline Mars
$29.1 billion net worth, and the country’s third-richest woman (according to Forbes)
The heiress to the McLean-based, family-owned candy company has been notoriously private over the years, but we do know that she’s a philanthropist (she sits on six boards, including the Smithsonian and National Archives) and she has a private estate, Stonehall Farm, near The Plains, according to media reports. Her son, Stephen Badger, is currently the chairman of Mars’ board of directors.
Wild Wealth: A fixture in Virginia’s horse country, she contributes generously to local equestrian-themed charities, according to Washington Life.
This post originally appeared in our December 2019 issue as part of the “State of the Salary” cover story. For more cultural reads, subscribe to our newsletters.