5 of New York’s richest billionaires – net worths, ranked: from Michael Bloomberg – who once ran for president – to Julia Koch, but who’s the maths whizz who once worked as a codebreaker?
- New York is home to the most billionaires in the world, including an ex-mayor worth over US$100 billion … many got ahead by shrewdly navigating the tech and finance worlds
- They may be rich as Croesus, but many have a philanthropic bent and put their dollars to causes close to their heart; one’s pledged to leave most of his US$38.1 billion fortune to charity
New York is known for its fast-paced, glamorous life, but all that glitz comes with a rather hefty price tag. After all, this is a major financial capital and one of the world’s most expensive cities. It also boasts a rep as the kind of place where hard work, some business savvy and a little luck can go a long way – which is why so many people are driven to move here and chase their dreams.
So it’s no surprise that the Big Apple is home to the largest concentration of billionaires – 110 to be exact, according to Forbes – who have reached the upper echelons of their industries. These billion-dollar moguls consistently top global rich lists thanks to their business brilliance and philanthropic achievements, and live the high life while they’re at it.
Here are five of New York’s richest, according to Forbes.
5. Rupert Murdoch and family
Estimated net worth: US$19.6 billion
Born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1931, Murdoch’s meteoric rise in the media world began with family: his father, Sir Keith Murdoch, left the family a controlling share in Adelaide News.
Returning from Britain after his father’s death, Murdoch used the tabloid as a foundation to grow his media empire, buying various papers in quick succession, per BBC.
Murdoch focused on scandalous content and outspoken op-eds, according to his bio on Britannica. He and News Corp have faced controversy over the years, including allegations that they illegally hacked phones, and disregarded press ethics and accuracy, per NBC News.