The U.S. has the most billionaires in the world, with a record 989, according to Forbes. Some of those billionaires have ties to Virginia.
The publication released its 2026 list of the top richest people in the world. The list is based on stock prices and exchange rates from March 1, 2026.
Siblings Jacqueline and John Mars, the owners of McLean-based Mars Inc., landed in the Top 200, tying at No. 38. They inherited stakes in the company when their father died in 1999. Both have a net worth of $49.1 billion, according to Forbes.
Other Virginians on the billionaires list include Robert Pender of Venture Global with a net worth of $9.5 billion; Daniel D’Aniello of private equity firm Carlyle Group with $4.9 billion; and Winifred J. Marquart, heir to the family-owned company SC Johnson with $4.8 billion.
Tesla founder Elon Musk topped the list as the world’s wealthiest, with a net worth of $839 billion. Alphabet CEO Larry Page was No. 2 on the list with $257 billion, and the company’s former CEO, Sergey Brin, ranked No. 3 with $237 billion.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos was No. 4 with a net worth of $224 billion. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg followed at $222 billion.
Feature image, stock.adobe.com
