9 Billionaires In VA Among Richest Americans: New Forbes List

VIRGINIA — Billionaire Jacqueline Mars, 84, remains the wealthiest person in Virginia, according to The Forbes 400, an annual ranking of America’s super rich. Her brother, John Mars, 88, shares the No. 35 ranking with her.

Jacqueline Mars, long listed as the richest person in Virginia, is worth an estimated $38.5 billion, as is her brother. They tied ranked 35th overall on the Forbes list. Mars, Incorporated is a company owning candy, food and pet care brands like M&M's, Snickers, Banfield Pet Hospital, VCA Animal Hospitals, Pedigree and more.

Mars's grandfather founded the company, Jacqueline Mars owns an estimated one-third, according to Forbes.

Four other Mars heirs — sisters Marijke Mars, 59, Pamela Mars, 63, Valerie Mars, 65, and Victoria Mars, 67 — also made the list tied at No. 242 with an estimated $9.6 billion net worth each.

Other Virginia billionaires who made the list are:

• No. 624: Winifred J. Marquart, 64, $4.9 billion net worth, SC Johnson heir
• No. 734:. Daniel D'Aniello, 77, $4.3 billion net worth, co-founder of private equity firm Carlyle Group
• No. 835: William Conway Jr., 74, $3.8 billion net worth, co-founder of private equity firm Carlyle Group

Leading the 2024 list is French businessman Bernard Arnault, the head of luxury goods giant LVMH, with a value of $233 billion. He’s $38 billion richer than the world’s No. 2, Elon Musk, who is worth an estimated $195 billion thanks to his ownership of SpaceX and Tesla.

Forbes says Musk is the richest U.S. resident, followed by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who owns The Washington Post, as well, according to The Forbes 400 for 2024. He is worth an estimated $194 billion, Forbes said.

Overall, the 400 richest billionaires in America have more wealth than a year ago, and there are now more billionaires than ever: 2,781 in all, 141 more than last year and 26 more than the record set in 2021, Forbes said. Those on the list are worth a total of $14.2 trillion, up by $2 trillion from 2023.

The United States is now home to a record 813 billionaires worth a combined $5.7 trillion. One of the most famous, former President Donald Trump, didn't make this year's top 400 list. He ranked 1,438 on Forbes' list with a net worth of $2.3 billion, down from $2.5 billion a year ago.