Yahoo Finance 2 Illinois billionaires make Forbes’ richest in the world list. How much are they worth?
Two Illinois residents made the Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2024: The Top 200. One was named the 60th richest person in the world, while the other rounded out the list in 200th place.
There are 2,781 billionaires across the world by Forbes’ count, more than ever recorded, including 813 in the U.S. Most billionaires gained wealth over the last year, while just a fourth lost money, according to Forbes.
Here’s what to know about the two Illinois billionaires on the top 200 list.
Lukas Walton
Lukas Walton, a resident of Chicago, was named the 60th richest person in the world and the richest person in Illinois by Forbes. Walton is 37 and the grandson of Sam Walton, who founded Walmart. Lukas Walton inherited his fortune when his father died in a plane crash, Forbes reports.
Walton’s real-time net worth was calculated at $28.1 billion as of Monday. Since he inherited the fortune, Forbes gave him a 1 out of 10 in the “self-made” score category — he also got a 1 out of 5 for philanthropy.
The richest person in the state tries to keep a low profile, the Chicago Tribune reported in 2022, but sold a Lincoln Park home for $1.7 million that year. The home was sold in a private transaction and wasn’t publicly listed.
Walmart has 4,615 locations across the U.S. and employs about 1.6 million people in the country.
Patrick Ryan
Patrick Ryan landed the 200th richest in the world spot in Forbes 2024 report. Ryan is a resident of Winnetka and he works as CEO and founder of Ryan Speciality Group, a Chicago-based wholesale brokerage and specialty insurance firm, according to Forbes.
Ryan’s real-time net worth was $10.3 billion as of Monday, so if you’re looking to make the top 200 list, you’ll have to amass more than $10 billion in net worth.
Unlike Illinois’ other billionaire on the list, Ryan is listed as “self-made” by Forbes, receiving an 8 out of 10 in the self-made category and a 2 out of 5 for philanthropy. Patrick Ryan and his wife, Shirley Ryan, made the largest gift in Northwestern University history with a $480 million donation in 2021. Both of the Ryans attended Northwestern.
Patrick Ryan is 86 years old and has three children.
What about Pritzker?
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is the richest politician in office in the U.S., but he did not make the top 200 wealthiest people list. Pritzker’s real-time net worth was calculated at $3.5 billion as of Monday, and Forbes reports he is the 920th wealthiest person in the world.
Pritzker is 59 years old and inherited the Hyatt Hotel fortune, though his net worth declined from $3.6 billion in 2023. Pritzker owns several homes, NBC Chicago reports. While the Illinois governor’s mansion (which is owned by the state) is located in Springfield, Pritzker also spends time in a mansion he owns in Chicago.
The Illinois governor is not the only Pritzker billionaire. Thomas Pritzker, the governor’s cousin, has a net worth of $5 billion and has also been recognized by Forbes in the past. Several other Pritzkers also appear in Forbes’ The Richest People in the World database, including Karen Pritzker, Jean (Gigi) Pritzker, Anthony Pritzker, Penny Pritzker, John Pritzker and more.
