Richest people in Tennessee

The first billionaire ever is thought to be Standard Oil magnate John D. Rockefeller back in 1916, or perhaps Henry Ford in 1925.

Fast forward some 100 years to 2021: As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to rage, a record-breaking 660 people became billionaires globally, growing the previous year’s number by 30%.

 

The U.S.’s wealthiest billionaires are mostly concentrated within just a couple of industries: finance and investments, and technology. Other wealthy sectors include food and drink, fashion and retail, and media and entertainment. Stacker compiled a list of the richest billionaires who are residents of Tennessee, using data from Forbes. Billionaires are ranked by net worth as of March 24. Forbes lists 12 billionaires in Tennessee.

#12. Summerfield Johnston Jr

– Net worth: $1.0 billion (#2,428 wealthiest in the world)
– Residence: Chattanooga
– Source of wealth: Coca-Cola, self-made

#11. Dean Solon

– Net worth: $1.1 billion (#2,354 wealthiest in the world)
– Residence: Gallatin
– Source of wealth: solar systems, self-made

#10. Jeffrey Lorberbaum

– Net worth: $1.1 billion (#2,308 wealthiest in the world)
– Residence: Chattanooga
– Source of wealth: flooring

#9. Forrest Preston

– Net worth: $1.2 billion (#2,230 wealthiest in the world)
– Residence: Cleveland
– Source of wealth: health care, self-made

#8. Willis Johnson

– Net worth: $2.2 billion (#1,319 wealthiest in the world)
– Residence: Franklin
– Source of wealth: damaged cars, self-made