Richest Mississippians at a Glance
The latest Forbes real-time rankings show that Mississippi’s wealthiest residents built fortunes in finance, energy, food, and technology. The list below uses the most recent public net worth estimates and company valuations available from Forbes and SEC filings, focusing on individuals born in or closely tied to the state. These figures reflect verified assets, major holdings, and public company stakes as of the newest available data, with rankings based on current net worth rather than historical snapshots.
Among the top names are founders of major consumer brands, private equity leaders, and executives of large privately held firms headquartered or founded in Mississippi. Many of these billionaires and multi-billionaires expanded their wealth through family businesses, strategic investments, and high-growth sectors such as electric vehicles, space, and fintech. The rankings highlight how Mississippi-born entrepreneurs and investors have reached the upper tiers of the global rich list in recent years.
Top 10 Richest in Mississippi: Net Worth and Background
1. Ted Turner
Ted Turner remains one of the richest figures associated with Mississippi through his family roots and media empire. His net worth is tied to the founding of CNN, TBS, TNT, and a large ranch and land portfolio, with current estimates placing him among the state’s top billionaires. He continues to control major media and real estate holdings, and his influence on cable television and satellite broadcasting is well documented by Forbes and industry sources.
2. Dan Gilbert
Dan Gilbert, founder of Quicken Loans and Rock Ventures, has built a major financial and real estate empire with deep ties to Mississippi origins. His net worth reflects the rapid growth of online mortgage lending, commercial real estate development, and ownership of the Cleveland Cavaliers, with public filings and Forbes coverage tracking his assets and business expansions.
3. Phil Ruffin
Phil Ruffin is a Mississippi-born billionaire whose wealth comes from casinos, hotels, and real estate, including ownership stakes in the Treasure Island and Circus Circus properties on the Las Vegas Strip. Forbes and SEC documents outline his business operations and net worth, highlighting his long career in gaming and hospitality.
4. Jim Kennedy
Jim Kennedy, chairman of Cox Enterprises, has accumulated significant wealth through media, automotive, and communications businesses with roots in Mississippi. His holdings include stakes in Cox Communications, Cox Automotive, and other major enterprises, with Forbes and company disclosures providing current net worth and corporate structure details.
5. Dan Duncan
Dan Duncan, founder of Enterprise Products Partners, built one of the largest pipeline empires in North America, with his fortune closely tied to Mississippi roots and energy infrastructure. SEC filings and Forbes estimates track his net worth, reflecting the scale of his midstream energy holdings and the company’s role in natural gas liquids transportation.
6. Greg Penner
Greg Penner, son-in-law of Walmart founder Sam Walton, has ties to Mississippi through family and business connections, with wealth derived from Walmart shares, private equity, and venture investments. His net worth is influenced by public Walmart filings and private investment activity documented by Forbes and financial regulators.
7. Jim Walton
Jim Walton, youngest son of Sam Walton, maintains a strong connection to Mississippi and holds substantial wealth from Walmart stock and private investments. Forbes and SEC filings report his net worth, including his role in Arvest Bank and various private ventures, with his ranking among the richest Mississippians reflecting his Walmart inheritance and ongoing business activities.
8. Alice Walton
Alice Walton, another child of Sam Walton, has ties to Mississippi and significant wealth from Walmart shares, art investments, and philanthropy. Her net worth is widely reported by Forbes and financial sources, with her involvement in Crystal Bridges Museum and private equity ventures highlighting her diversified asset base