the rich get richer

5 San Antonio billionaires are the richest in the world, says Forbes

Charles Butt has a net worth of $11.1 billion in 2026.

Photo courtesy of Texas State History Museum Foundation

According to Forbes, there has “never been a better time to be a billionaire” than in 2026, and the publication's newest World’s Billionaires List has revealed the 5 San Antonio billionaires who have risen among the wealthiest worldwide.

H-E-B chairman and avid art collector Charles Butt maintains his elite status as the richest person in San Antonio, ranking No. 289 on the global list with an estimated net worth of $11.1 billion, up from $10.8 billion last year.

Charles' 93-year-old sister, Eleanor Butt Crook, is also an heiress to the H-E-B fortune with a 2026 net worth of $4.6 billion. Crook's net worth has also grown by $200 million over the last year. Forbes says she resides in San Marcos.

Howard Butt III, the cult-favorite grocery chain's CEO, has a net worth of $3.2 billion, up from $3.1 billion last year. He shares the same net worth as his Dallas-based brother, Stephen Butt.

Here's how the rest of San Antonio's billionaires fared on this year's list:

Private equity investor Christopher "Kit" Goldsbury: No. 2052; $2 billion, unchanged since 2024
Texas Public Policy Foundation founder James Leininger: No. 2177; $1.9 billion, unchanged since 2024

Elsewhere in Texas, Austin billionaire Elon Musk was declared the world's richest person for the second consecutive year, and Forbes said his “grip on the top spot is as strong as it’s ever been.”

“Musk became the first person to hit $500 billion in wealth in October,” Forbes said. “Then $600 billion and $700 billion, within four days in December. Then $800 billion, in February.”

The Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI founder’s current net worth has skyrocketed to $839 billion — a shocking $497 billion more than his 2025 net worth.

In Dallas-Fort Worth, Walmart heiress Alice Walton has maintained her elite status as the world’s richest woman for the third year in a row. Walton is the 14th richest person on the planet with a current net worth of $134 billion, an eye-catching $33 billion higher than her 2025 net worth. She is the first American woman worth $100 billion, and one of only 20 “centi-billionaires” worldwide claiming 12-figure fortunes, also known as the "$100 Billion Club."

Koch Inc. stakeholder Elaine Marshall and her family are the richest Dallas residents, ranking No. 71 globally with an estimated net worth of $30.9 billion. Her net worth has grown by $2.6 billion since last year.

forbes billionaires society charles butt kit goldsbury h-e-b

FLOWER POWER

San Antonio blossoms with new citywide bluebonnet planting project

Photo courtesy of Bexar Blooms

One of Bexar Bloom's plantings draws a bee's interest.

The newest Texas wildflower forecast may call for sparser bluebonnets this spring, but San Antonio will still be blossoming thanks to a new citywide initiative. Bexar Blooms is planting the iconic state flower in underused plots throughout the city.

The idea sprang from the design of Texas Spine Care Center’s 2026 Fiesta medal featuring a La Catrina wearing a bluebonnet-adorned dress. Scott Chidgey, the practice’s director of marketing and communications, had a bigger idea.

“I realized those blooms shouldn’t live on a medal alone — they belong in our public places,” says Chidgey. “Bexar Blooms is about intentionally bringing joy and beauty into the heart of our city, throughout our county, and beyond.”

Chidgey says the flower holds special meaning to him. His mom would often take him and his sister to find bluebonnets after church, later using the pictures for Christmas cards and yearbooks.

“The chance to help bring bluebonnets into public spaces across San Antonio so other families can create those same memories — that’s a dream come true,” he adds.

Scott Chidgey Bexar Blooms Scott Chidgey shows off a planting site at the San Antonio Zoo.Photo courtesy of Bexar Blooms

To bring his vision to life, Chidgey recruited local businesses, Centro San Antonio, and local institutions like the San Antonio Zoo and San Antonio Museum of Art. Activities are planned at Travis Park, Hops and Hounds, Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen, and other sites across town.

Locals can also submit sites via the website, although they must be the land owner or the organization’s leader.Although the project will certainly make for some stunning selfies, organizers say that the project is about more than looks.

“While bluebonnets are definitely about beautifying downtown, the initiative is also about contributing to an even more hospitable environment for our bee population, which are critical to the ecosystem as pollinators,” says Trish DeBarry, CEO of Centro.

Though launched in tandem with the 125th anniversary of the bluebonnet becoming a state flower, Bexar Blooms will become an annual tradition. A nonprofit organization has been launched to handle logistics, care, and donations.

“This is just the beginning,” says Chidgey. “And we have lots of fun additions already in the works for next year.”

bluebonnets nonprofits downtown fiesta city life

the rich get richer

5 San Antonio billionaires are the richest in the world, says Forbes

FLOWER POWER

San Antonio blossoms with new citywide bluebonnet planting project

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