North Carolina's Richest: Forbes Billionaire List Reveals Charlotte's Wealthiest

Photo byIllustration by Kevin McGivern for Forbes

According to Forbes’ 2024 “Richest People In The World” list, the wealthiest individuals in North Carolina have a combined net worth of nearly $25 billion. These billionaires come from various industries including tech, gaming, and banking. While most reside in the Triangle area, a few notable billionaires have strong ties to the Charlotte area.

Richest Person in Charlotte

• Ric Elias: The co-founder and CEO of Red Ventures, Ric Elias, is the only billionaire living in Charlotte. With a net worth of $1 billion, Elias ranks as the 2,692nd richest person in the world. Red Ventures, headquartered in Fort Mill, SC, owns brands like CNET, Lonely Planet, Best Colleges, and The Points Guy. Elias is also known for his philanthropic efforts, including founding the Golden Door Scholars program for undocumented students.

Billionaires with Charlotte Connections

• David Tepper: The owner of the Carolina Panthers, Tepper is officially a Florida resident. He ranks 94th on the Forbes list with a net worth of $20.6 billion.
• Michael Jordan: The basketball legend and former majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets has a net worth of $3.2 billion, making him the 1,033rd richest person in the world. Jordan now resides in Jupiter, Florida.

North Carolina's Billionaires

• James Goodnight: The co-founder and CEO of SAS, a software company based in Cary, Goodnight is the richest person in North Carolina. He is the 221st richest person globally with a net worth of $10.1 billion.
• John Sall: Co-founder of SAS, Sall has a net worth of $5 billion, ranking him 612th on the Forbes list.
• Tim Sweeney: Co-founder and CEO of Epic Games, Sweeney has a net worth of $5.7 billion, placing him 522nd in the world.
• Roy Carroll: A Greensboro-based real estate mogul, Carroll's net worth of $2.6 billion ranks him as the 1,286th richest person globally.

These individuals highlight the diverse economic landscape of North Carolina, showcasing success in various sectors from technology to real estate.