News Summary
Twelve billionaires from Georgia have made it onto the 2025 Forbes Billionaires List, showcasing a combined wealth of $81.8 billion. This highlights Georgia’s significant presence in the global wealth landscape, alongside the growing trend of billionaires in the U.S. The list has expanded to over 3,000 billionaires worldwide, reflecting both entrepreneurship and philanthropy in the Peach State.
Georgia’s Billionaires Shine Bright on Forbes’ 2025 List
Atlanta, Georgia has its pride on full display as twelve remarkable billionaires from the Peach State have just made it onto the 2025 Forbes Billionaires List. Together, they hold a staggering combined wealth of 81.8 billion dollars! As the world takes a peek into the glittering world of the super-rich, Georgia shows that it holds its own among the heavyweights globally.
The Global Billionaires Scene
According to the latest report, the total wealth of billionaires around the globe is an eye-popping 16.1 trillion dollars. When it comes to the U.S., we have a record 902 billionaires gracing the list, far ahead of China, which comes in second with 516 billionaires. This year is quite special, as Forbes has expanded its list significantly, now covering over 3,000 billionaires. This is a massive leap from the mere 400 listed in previous years.
Meet Georgia’s Billionaires
Leading the Georgia pack are the Cathy siblings, the children of Chick-fil-A founder S. Truett Cathy. Each sibling—Bubba Cathy, Dan Cathy, and Trudy Cathy White—shares the spotlight at rank No. 213 with a net worth of 11.4 billion dollars each. It’s clear they are managing their family legacy well, actively involved in the leadership of the beloved fast food chain.
Next up is Arthur Blank, co-founder of Home Depot, who ranks No. 329 with an impressive net worth of 9 billion dollars. Not only is he a business magnate, but he also has a finger in the sports pie as chairman of the Atlanta Falcons.
Then we have John Brown, who at 90, is still going strong with a net worth of 8.2 billion dollars, thanks to his pivotal work at Stryker Corp., a leader in the medical device arena. Gary Rollins, who at 80, helps run Rollins Inc., a pest control giant, comes in at rank No. 487 with a wealth of 6.9 billion dollars.
Jim Kennedy, the former chairman emeritus of Cox Enterprises, finds himself ranked No. 512 with 6.6 billion dollars. Meanwhile, tech entrepreneurs Dan Kurzius and Ben Chestnut, the co-founders of Mailchimp, also join the billion-dollar club, ranking at No. 634 and No. 717 respectively, with fortunes of 5.6 billion and 5 billion dollars.
Neal Aronson of Roark Capital ranks No. 887 with 4.1 billion dollars in wealth, while Tony Townley and Zach McLeroy, the co-founders of Zaxby’s, round out Georgia’s billionaires. Townley is ranked at No. 2,623 with a net worth of 1.2 billion dollars, while McLeroy sits at No. 2,933 with 1 billion dollars.
Interesting Facts and Philanthropy
On a broader scale, the billionaires’ scene is not without its unique nuances. It’s been noted that nearly three-quarters of those on the list inherited their fortunes! In addition, the number of women billionaires is slowly creeping up, now sitting at 13.4 percent of the total. More notable female billionaires include the recent additions of Marilyn Simons and Lyndal Stephens Greth.
MacKenzie Scott, known for her philanthropic efforts, also made headlines by donating 10 million dollars to support small businesses in Georgia through the nonprofit ACE. This generous gift aims to help ACE lend 300 million dollars to small businesses across the state over the next five years.
Wrap-Up
The 2025 Forbes Billionaires List truly reflects the breadth of talent, entrepreneurship, and wealth present in Georgia. With their combined wealth, the twelve billionaires from Georgia have enriched not just their own lives but the lives of many around them through their business ventures and philanthropic endeavors. Keep an eye on these extraordinary figures as they shape the future of Georgia and beyond!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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