Meet the world’s richest tycoons in real estate

Who are the wealthiest people in the property industry?

Money: that’s what they have.

Baby boomers may remember the pop hit “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Barrett Strong from the early 1960s – the Beatles also recorded their own version – while Generation X-ers grew up to the version made popular by The Flying Lizards in the 1980s. The majority of the world’s population want money, and some are fortunate enough to have lots, and lots, of it.

This week, Forbes released its full list of the world’s 500 richest billionaires of 2015, which includes a huge number of successful Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers, as well as some incredibly wealthy Millennials.

 

Coming out on top of the annual list is Bill Gates, founder and former chief of Microsoft Corporation, with USD79.2 billion in net fortune, beating Mexico’s telecom magnate Carlos Slim Helu (and family), whose net worth is USD77.1 billion.

Collectively, the world’s top 500 money makers are worth a whopping USD7.05 trillion, based on Forbes’ research. This year, 290 billionaires joined the top 500 list for the first time, adding an estimated USD650 billion in the total worth of the world’s elite 1 percent population.

We’ve filtered the super rich list to highlight the tycoons with significant involvement in the real estate, construction and design sectors, and here they are:

3. Warren Buffett

Net Worth: $72.7 B

Source of wealth: Berkshire Hathaway

Property Report says: The billionaire-philanthropist has significant investments in real estate and has started to license the Berkshire Hathaway brand to Asia-based property agencies.

17. Li Ka-shing

Net Worth: $33.3 B

Source of wealth: diversified

18. Sheldon Adelson

Net Worth: $31.4 B

Source of wealth: casinos

27. Lee Shau Kee

Net Worth: $24.8 B

Source of wealth: real estate

29. Wang Jianlin

Net Worth: $24.2 B

Source of wealth: real estate

Property Report says: One of China’s wealthiest citizens, Wang Jianlin heads the Dalian Wanda Group, which started its real estate business in 1988.

34. Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud

Net Worth: $22.6 B

Source of wealth: investments

Property Report says: At 59, the Saudi prince has real estate holdings in several luxury hotel chains in London, New York and Monaco.

41. Len Blavatnik

Net Worth: $20.2 B

Source of wealth: diversified

50. Michael Otto & family

Net Worth: $18.1 B

Source of wealth: retail, real estate

51. Paul Allen

Net Worth: $17.5 B

Source of wealth: Microsoft, investments

Property Report says: Allen co-founded Microsoft (he also came up with the company’s name) with topnotcher Bill Gates, and also owns Vulcan Real Estate that offers a full range of development and portfolio management services.

55. Pallonji Mistry

Net Worth: $16.3 B

Source of wealth: construction

58. Thomas & Raymond Kwok

Net Worth: $15.9 B

Source of wealth: real estate

64. Donald Bren

Net Worth: $15.2 B

Source of wealth: real estate

67. Aliko Dangote

Net Worth: $14.7 B

Source of wealth: cement, sugar, flour 

71. Cheng Yu-tung

Net Worth: $14.4 B

Source of wealth: diversified

Property Report says: Based in Hong Kong, Cheng’s New World group of companies is active in property, hospitality and infrastructure.

More: SM Prime Holdings teams up with Ayala Land and Megaworld to form #TeamTrident 

73. Henry Sy & family

Net Worth: $14.2 B

Source of wealth: diversified

Property Report says: The Sy Family’s most prominent investments are in commercial real estate, including the SM Malls, some of the biggest shopping malls in the world.

77. Rupert Murdoch & family

Net Worth: $13.9 B

Source of wealth: media

Property Report says: Although his biggest source of income is through his media conglomerate, Murdoch in recent years has expanded his property holdings and now owns majority interest in Australia’s REA Group and India’s PropTiger.com.

80. David & Simon Reuben

Net Worth: $13.7 B

Source of wealth: investments, real estate

82. Lui Che Woo

Net Worth: $13.5 B

Source of wealth: casinos

91. Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor & family

Net Worth: $12.6 B

Source of wealth: real estate 

104. Philip Anschutz

Net Worth: $11.8 B

Source of wealth: investments

105. Andrew Beal

Net Worth: $11.7 B

Source of wealth: banks, real estate

110. Robert Kuok

Net Worth: $11.3 B

Source of wealth: diversified

Property Report says: The Malaysian-Chinese businessman built the first Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore in 1971.

114. Joseph Lau

Net Worth: $10.9 B

Source of wealth: real estate

116. Mohammed Al Amoudi

Net Worth: $10.8 B

Source of wealth: oil, diversified

Property Report says: The Saudi Arabian sheikh made his fortune in real estate in the Middle East and Africa, and he is said to be the largest individual investor in Ethiopia.

125. Mikhail Prokhorov

Net Worth: $9.9 B

Source of wealth: diversified

131. Robert & Philip Ng

Net Worth: $9.6 B

Source of wealth: real estate

149. Ernesto Bertarelli

Net Worth: $8.8 B

Source of wealth: biotech, investments

153. Pan Sutong

Net Worth: $8.6 B

Source of wealth: real estate

Property Report says: The chairman of the Goldin Group first ventured in real estate in 2007 when it developed an integrated business, leisure and residential hub in Tianjin.

153. Peter Woo

Net Worth: $8.6 B

Source of wealth: real estate

156. Eyal Ofer

Net Worth: $8.5 B

Source of wealth: real estate, shipping

172. August von Finck

Net Worth: $7.7 B

Source of wealth: investments 

174. Giorgio Armani

Net Worth: $7.6 B

Source of wealth: fashion

Property Report says: The celebrated fashion house is also a huge name in branded residences around the world, and now has significant projects across Asia, including China, the Philippines, Indonesia and India. 

177. Jim Pattison

Net Worth: $7.5 B

Source of wealth: diversified

179. Johann Rupert & family

Net Worth: $7.4 B

Source of wealth: luxury goods 

185. Eli Broad

Net Worth: $7.2 B

Source of wealth: investments

185. Charles Cadogan & family

Net Worth: $7.2 B

Source of wealth: real estate

185. Jay Y. Lee

Net Worth: $7.2 B

Source of wealth: electronics/tourism

193. Walter Kwok

Net Worth: $7 B

Source of wealth: real estate 

193. Ralph Lauren

Net Worth: $7 B

Source of wealth: Ralph Lauren

199. Goh Cheng Liang

Net Worth: $6.8 B

Source of wealth: paints

208. Gautam Adani

Net Worth: $6.6 B

Source of wealth: commodities, infrastructure

216. Stephen Ross

Net Worth: $6.5 B

Source of wealth: real estate

220. Abdulla bin Ahmad Al Ghurair & family

Net Worth: $6.4 B

Source of wealth: diversified

220. Richard LeFrak & family

Net Worth: $6.4 B

Source of wealth: real estate

220. Charles Schwab

Net Worth: $6.4 B

Source of wealth: discount brokerage

225. Stanley Kroenke

Net Worth: $6.3 B

Source of wealth: sports, real estate

225. Nassef Sawiris

Net Worth: $6.3 B

Source of wealth: construction

230. Majid Al Futtaim

Net Worth: $6.2 B

Source of wealth: real estate, retail

230. Hui Ka Yan

Net Worth: $6.2 B

Source of wealth: real estate

230. Michael Kadoorie & family

Net Worth: $6.2 B

Source of wealth: diversified

Property Report says: Educated in Switzerland, Kadoorie now lives in Hong Kong and is chairman of the company that owns and operates the renowned Peninsula Hotel Group. 

240. Chan Laiwa & family

Net Worth: $6.1 B

Source of wealth: real estate

240. Willi & Isolde Liebherr & family

Net Worth: $6.1 B

Source of wealth: construction

240. Ira Rennert

Net Worth: $6.1 B

Source of wealth: investments

Property Report says: Rennert, an industrial entrepreneur, owns one of the most expensive homes in the world, located in Sagaponack, New York.

248. Lu Zhiqiang

Net Worth: $5.9 B

Source of wealth: diversified

Property Report says: The Beijing resident owns China Oceanwide, a growing property company.

248. Dennis Washington

Net Worth: $5.9 B

Source of wealth: construction, mining

254. John Gokongwei Jr

Net Worth: $5.8 B

Source of wealth: diversified

Property Report says: 87-year-old Gokongwei is head of the Robinsons Malls and Robinsons Land empire, as well as budget carrier Cebu Pacific.

259. Lin Yu-lin

Net Worth: $5.7 B

Source of wealth: real estate

259. Juan-Miguel Villar Mir & family

Net Worth: $5.7 B

Source of wealth: construction

265. Maria Asuncion Aramburuzabala & family

Net Worth: $5.6 B

Source of wealth: beer, investments

265. Ray Lee Hunt

Net Worth: $5.6 B

Source of wealth: oil, real estate

265. Quek Leng Chan

Net Worth: $5.6 B

Source of wealth: banking, real estate

271. Thomas Schmidheiny

Net Worth: $5.5 B

Source of wealth: cement

277. Hui Wing Mau

Net Worth: $5.4 B

Source of wealth: real estate

277. Harry Triguboff

Net Worth: $5.4 B

Source of wealth: property

283. Leonard Stern

Net Worth: $5.3 B

Source of wealth: real estate

291. Vivien Chen & family

Net Worth: $5.2 B

Source of wealth: real estate

291. James Packer

Net Worth: $5.2 B

Source of wealth: casinos

291. Enrique Razon Jr

Net Worth: $5.2 B

Source of wealth: ports

Property Report says: Head of Bloombery Resorts, Razon moved up from last year’s ranking of 354th place. His investments include the highly successful Solaire Resorts and Casino in Manila’s Entertainment City.

Coming up in April: Manila’s new casino and entertainment district could give Las Vegas and Macau a run for their money

309. Pansy Ho

Net Worth: $5 B

Source of wealth: casinos

309. Yang Huiyan

Net Worth: $5 B

Source of wealth: real estate

318. Kwee brothers

Net Worth: $4.9 B

Source of wealth: real estate

318. Liang Wengen

Net Worth: $4.9 B

Source of wealth: construction equipment

318. Frank Lowy

Net Worth: $4.9 B

Source of wealth: shopping malls

318. Sam Zell

Net Worth: $4.9 B

Source of wealth: real estate, private equity

318. Daniel Ziff

Net Worth: $4.9 B

Source of wealth: investments

318. Dirk Ziff

Net Worth: $4.9 B

Source of wealth: investments

318. Robert Ziff

Net Worth: $4.9 B

Source of wealth: investments

330. Richard Branson

Net Worth: $4.8 B

Source of wealth: Virgin

Property Report says: Passionate about luxury getaways, the British mogul set up in the early 2000s a business called Virgin Limited Edition, a collection of unique retreats in the most prime and exotic locations.

Coming up: Virgin Limited Edition in Property Report’s April 2015 issue

330. Ted Lerner

Net Worth: $4.8 B

Source of wealth: real estate

330. Andrew Tan

Net Worth: $4.8 B

Source of wealth: diversified

Property Report says: Filipino-Chinese tycoon Tan, chief executive of Megaworld Corporation, was chosen as Real Estate Personality of the Year at the second annual Philippines Property Awards.

341. John A. Sobrato & family

Net Worth: $4.7 B

Source of wealth: real estate

341. Tong Jinquan

Net Worth: $4.7 B

Source of wealth: real estate

352. Lee Shin Cheng

Net Worth: $4.6 B

Source of wealth: palm oil, real estate

369. Filaret Galchev

Net Worth: $4.4 B

Source of wealth: construction materials

369. Ian & Richard Livingstone

Net Worth: $4.4 B

Source of wealth: real estate

369. Lucio Tan & family

Net Worth: $4.4 B

Source of wealth: diversified

Property Report says: Tan’s empire includes shareholdings in banking, airline, liquor, tobacco, and real estate via Eton Properties Philippines.

381. Anthony Bamford & family

Net Worth: $4.3 B

Source of wealth: construction equipment

381. Zarakh Iliev

Net Worth: $4.3 B

Source of wealth: real estate

381. God Nisanov

Net Worth: $4.3 B

Source of wealth: real estate

381. Karen Pritzker

Net Worth: $4.3 B

Source of wealth: hotels, investments

393. Kirk Kerkorian

Net Worth: $4.2 B

Source of wealth: casinos, investments

393. Lin Rong San

Net Worth: $4.2 B

Source of wealth: real estate

405. Benu Gopal Bangur

Net Worth: $4.1 B

Source of wealth: cement

405. David Consunji

Net Worth: $4.1 B

Source of wealth: construction

Property Report says: Consunji, a civil engineer, is chairman of DMCI Holdings, which is involved in urban real estate development, infrastructure and construction.

405. Donald Trump

Net Worth: $4.1 B

Source of wealth: television, real estate

Property Report says: The bold and vibrant Trump runs the New York City-based Trump Organization with his children Ivanka, Eric and Donald Jr. His latest Asia-based projects include Trump branded residences and estates in India, Dubai and the Philippines.

418. Samvel Karapetyan

Net Worth: $4 B

Source of wealth: development

418. Mitchell Rales

Net Worth: $4 B

Source of wealth: manufacturing, investments

418. Edward Roski Jr

Net Worth: $4 B

Source of wealth: real estate

418. Jerry Speyer

Net Worth: $4 B

Source of wealth: real estate

418. Sun Guangxin

Net Worth: $4 B

Source of wealth: diversified

435. Riley Bechtel

Net Worth: $3.9 B

Source of wealth: engineering, construction

435. Stephen Bechtel Jr

Net Worth: $3.9 B

Source of wealth: engineering, construction

435. Nathan Kirsh

Net Worth: $3.9 B

Source of wealth: retail, real estate

452. Bernard Marcus

Net Worth: $3.8 B

Source of wealth: Home Depo 

452. Krit Ratanarak

Net Worth: $3.8 B

Source of wealth: media, real estate

462. Francis Choi

Net Worth: $3.7 B

Source of wealth: real estate

462. Huang Wei

Net Worth: $3.7 B

Source of wealth: real estate

462. Fredrik Lundberg

Net Worth: $3.7 B

Source of wealth: real estate, investments

462. Akira Mori & family

Net Worth: $3.7 B

Source of wealth: real estate

462. H. Ross Perot Sr

Net Worth: $3.7 B

Source of wealth: computer services, real estate

481. Martin & Olivier Bouygues

Net Worth: $3.6 B

Source of wealth: construction, media

481. Archie Aldis Emmerson

Net Worth: $3.6 B

Source of wealth: timberland, lumber mills

481. John Gandel

Net Worth: $3.6 B

Source of wealth: shopping malls

Property Report says: Gandel is an Australian commercial real estate developer who made his fortune in Melbourne. He is also involved in office and hotel properties, and owns stakes in various Australian-listed real estate firms.

481. Diane Hendricks

Net Worth: $3.6 B

Source of wealth: roofing

481. Antti Herlin

Net Worth: $3.6 B

Source of wealth: elevators, escalators

481. Igor Olenicoff

Net Worth: $3.6 B

Source of wealth: real estate

481. Sheldon Solow

Net Worth: $3.6 B

Source of wealth: real estate

481. Yitzhak Tshuva

Net Worth: $3.6 B

Source of wealth: real estate 

497. Edward DeBartolo Jr

Net Worth: $3.5 B

Source of wealth: shopping centres

This month: Check out the latest interior design trends from Property Report’s style council

497. Ingvar Kamprad & family

Net Worth: $3.5 B

Source of wealth: Ikea

Property Report says: IKEA’s founder came up with the name of his global company using his initials, plus ‘Elmtayrd’, his family’s farm, and ‘Agunnaryd’, a nearby village from his birthplace.

497. Beny Steinmetz

Net Worth: $3.5 B

Source of wealth: mining, diamonds, real estate

 

To view the full list, click here.

Did we miss anyone? Tell us in the comments, or message us on Twitter!

 

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