America’s 16 richest billionaires: Jeff Bezos, his ex-wife MacKenzie Scott, Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk all feature – but who gives the most back?

Sep 7 , 2020

America’s rich list (from left) Alice Walton, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos. Photos: AP

While tech moguls continue to dominate, Walmart heirs and inherited wealth also makes a strong appearance on Forbes’ and Bloomberg’s ranks of the USA’s wealthiest – with the 4 richest people in America also the richest people in the world

The 16 richest Americans in the Bloomberg Billionaires Index and Forbes Billionaires List are collectively worth more than US$1 trillion. While tech moguls continue to dominate the top ranks, inherited wealth, like in the Walton family, also makes a strong appearance in the list. The four richest people in America are also the richest people in the world, with Jeff Bezos continuing to rank first – after his personal wealth increased dramatically since the coronavirus pandemic.

16. Michael Bloomberg

Mike Bloomberg speaks to his supporters during his presidential campaign earlier this year. Photo: DPA

Net worth: US$54.9 billion (per Forbes estimates)

Age: 78

Industry: finance, technology

Source of wealth: self-made; Bloomberg LP

Net worth year-over-year change: not readily available

Michael Bloomberg, former Democratic presidential candidate and long-time New York City mayor, derives a majority of his wealth from his financial services company, Bloomberg LP. In the 1990s, he expanded the company to form Bloomberg News and TV.

His eponymous company currently makes about US$10 billion in annual revenue and Bloomberg maintains control over 88 per cent of the company.

Bloomberg is fairly generous with his wealth and is known to donate to social issues like gun control and climate change. He donated more than US$3 billion of his fortune in 2019 alone.