At least five Oklahomans made Forbes’ 2018 list of the richests people in the world—billionaires. And they owe it largely to oil and gas and related industries.
Harold Hamm, founder of Oklahoma City-based Continental Resources, at age 72 tied for 100th. He is worth $14.1 billion according to the magazine.
Tulsan George Kaiser ranked 198th with wealth totalling $7.8 billion. The 75-year old businessman is also known for his philanthropy.
David Green, owner and founder of the chain of Hobby Lobby stores is valued at $6.8 billion. The 76-year old Oklahoma City businessman is ranked 242nd wealthiest on the list.
Tom and Judy Love, owners of the Love store chain ranked 305th wealthiest. They are worth $5.8 billion thanks to their chain of retail stores and gas stations.
Some billionaires have Oklahoma connections. Philip Anschutz, owner of The Oklahoman and an oilman as well is ranked 108th wealthiest with $13 billion.
Then there is Carl Icahn, the activist investor who is ranked 73rd on the list with a net worth of $16.8 billion. Icahn’s Oklahoma connection is his investment in Oklahoma City-based SandRidge Energy. In recent months, he forced the company to bail out of what he felt was a dangerous purchase of a Colorado energy company. His pressure also led to the removal of a CEO and replacement with a new one.
The complete Forbes list of billionaires totals 2,208 individuals from 72 countries and territories including the first ever from Hungary and Zimbabwe. Forbes indicated the group is worth$9.1 trillion, up 18% from last year. And their average net worth is a record $4.1billion. More Americans are on the lists than any other country—585 billionaires.
Jeff Bezos, described as a centi-billionaire is at the top of the list and is the only person to have a 12-figure fortune. The Amazon owner is worth $112 billion, putting him ahead of Bill Gates, now number two with a wealth of $90 billion. Bernard Arnault, worth $72 billion is the richest European on the list.