The world’s richest people are wealthier now than they've ever been, and more billionaires have made it onto the 2025 World's Billionaires List than ever before, according to Forbes. This year, five San Antonio-based billionaires are among the richest people in the world.
Leading the list of richest San Antonians is H-E-B chairman Charles Butt, who ranked No. 230 overall with an estimated net worth of $10.8 billion. His net worth increased $3.1 billion from his 2024 net worth of $7.5 billion.
Forbes says Butt has been working for Texas' cult favorite grocery chain since he was eight years old, working his way up to chairman and CEO in 1971. The Butt family owns about 90 percent of the company, Forbes says.
He has since passed down his CEO role to his nephew, Howard Butt III, who also appeared on the Forbes list with a net worth of $3.1 billion. Howard tied with his Dallas-based brother, Stephen Butt, for the No. 1172 spot with the same net worth.
92-year-old H-E-B heiress Eleanor Butt Crook, who resides in San Marcos, ranked 823rd on the list with a net worth of $4.4 billion this year, up from $2.8 billion in 2024.
Two additional San Antonio-area billionaires that made Forbes 2025 world’s richest list include:
- Private equity investor Christopher Goldsbury: tied for No. 1764, $2 billion, unchanged from 2024
- Texas Public Policy Foundation founder James Leininger: tied for No. 1851, $1.9 billion, unchanged from 2024
Elsewhere in Texas, Austin billionaire Elon Musk topped Forbes' list as the world's richest person in 2025. The Tesla and SpaceX founder knocked French luxury goods magnate Bernard Arnault down to second place this year.
Forbes declared Musk the first person to reach the $300 billion status. His current net worth stands at $342 billion, which is a staggering $147 billion more than his 2024 net worth.
"It’s another record-breaking year for the world’s richest people, despite financial uncertainty for many and geopolitical tensions on the rise," said Forbes senior editor of wealth Chase Peterson-Withorn. "And, from Elon Musk to Howard Lutnick and the other billionaires taking over the U.S. government, they’re growing more and more powerful."
In Dallas-Fort Worth, Walmart heiress Alice Walton became the wealthiest woman in the world in 2025. Forbes declared Walton's net worth at $101 billion, which is $28.7 billion more than her 2024 net worth of $72.3 billion. She is now one of 15 individuals to claim 12-figure fortunes, also known as the "$100 Billion Club."
