From Tech Titans to Media Moguls: Meet the 30 Wealthiest Jews in the World


 

As we all know the Jewish identity can be both religious and cultural, and Jews often see themselves as descendants of the ancient Israelites. They share an ancient history and core beliefs in one God and the Torah. Though spread across the globe, they maintain a strong connection to their heritage and often feel linked to Israel. Not all Jews practice religion the same way, and some are even non-religious, but they still identify with Jewish culture and traditions.

It’s important to remember that Jews are diverse individuals, not a single stereotype. To truly understand them, we need to appreciate their rich history, varied practices, and personal choices. Being Jewish can include religious beliefs, cultural traditions, and a shared heritage. From Larry Ellison to Leonid Mikhelson these people have also influenced the world of business and technology to great level. Lets take a look at some of the richest Jews in the world:

1. Larry Ellison

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Larry Ellison, born in 1944, is an American business magnate and co-founder of Oracle Corporation, a major player in the software industry. His ancestral background is a mix of Jewish and Italian descent, with his biological mother being of Jewish heritage. Raised by adoptive parents in Chicago, Ellison showed an early interest in computers, leading him to co-found Oracle in 1977. The company became a global leader in database software and cloud solutions.

Ellison’s influence extends beyond the tech industry, marked by ambitious ventures such as purchasing the Hawaiian island of Lanai, real estate development, and successful forays into competitive sailing. His competitive nature and leadership have shaped his legacy, making him a prominent figure in both technology and business. He has an estimated fortune of $130 billion which makes him one of the most richest people in the world and one of the richest Jew in our list.

2. Larry Page

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Larry Page, born on March 26, 1973, in East Lansing, Michigan, is a computer scientist and entrepreneur known for co-founding Google. His family background includes a mix of Jewish and Christian heritage, with his father, Carl Victor Page Sr., being of Jewish descent and a pioneer in computer science. Growing up, Page showed a keen interest in technology. In 1998, while pursuing his Ph.D. at Stanford University, Page, along with Sergey Brin, founded Google, transforming how people access information online.

Serving as Google’s CEO, Page led the company’s expansion into various products like Gmail, Google Maps, and Android. In 2015, Google underwent a corporate restructuring, and Page became the CEO of Alphabet Inc., overseeing its subsidiaries. Known for his innovative vision, Larry Page has had a significant impact on the tech industry, contributing to the development of one of the world’s most influential companies.He has an estimated fortune of around $129 billion.

3. Sergey Brin

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Sergey Brin, born on August 21, 1973, in Moscow, Russia, is a computer scientist and entrepreneur known for co-founding Google with Larry Page. Brin’s family background is rooted in his Russian Jewish ancestry. His family emigrated from the Soviet Union to the United States when he was a child, seeking refuge from anti-Semitic persecution. Brin demonstrated an early interest in technology, and his family’s journey to the U.S. played a significant role in shaping his experiences.

In 1998, while pursuing his Ph.D. at Stanford University, Brin collaborated with Larry Page to create Google, a transformative search engine. His role in the company extended beyond its early days, contributing to the development of various Google products and services. Brin’s journey from a childhood in Russia to co-founding one of the world’s most influential technology companies reflects the impact of his background on his life and career. He has an estimated net worth of $114 billion.

4. Steve Ballmer

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Steve Ballmer, born on March 24, 1956, is an American businessman. He was the CEO of Microsoft, a big technology company, from 2000 to 2014. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, to a Swiss mom and a dad with Swiss and Belarusian Jewish roots. Before working at Microsoft, Ballmer went to Harvard University and later became friends with Bill Gates. He joined Microsoft in 1980 and helped the company grow.

As the CEO, he oversaw the release of important products like Windows XP and Microsoft Office. Ballmer’s family has a mix of European backgrounds. After leaving Microsoft, he stayed active in different projects, including owning a basketball team. His leadership at Microsoft made a big impact on the technology world. Please note that information about people can change over time.He has an estimated net worth of $135 billion, making him the sixth-richest person in the world.

5. Michael Bloomberg

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Michael Bloomberg, born on February 14, 1942, is an American businessman, politician, and philanthropist. He is the co-founder, CEO, and majority owner of Bloomberg L.P., a global financial services, software, and media company. Bloomberg served as the Mayor of New York City from 2002 to 2013. Bloomberg was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to a Jewish family. His father worked as a bookkeeper.Bloomberg attended Johns Hopkins University and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Before starting Bloomberg L.P., he worked at investment bank Salomon Brothers. In addition to his business and political career, Michael Bloomberg is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated significant amounts to various causes, including public health initiatives and climate change efforts. His impact on the financial industry and contributions to public service have made him a prominent figure in American business and politics. He has an estimated net worth of US$94.5 billion.

6. Michael Dell

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Michael Dell is an American businessman who started a big company called Dell Technologies. He was born on February 23, 1965, in Houston, Texas, and he comes from a Jewish family. When he was in high school, he began selling kits to upgrade personal computers. In 1984, at just 19 years old, Michael Dell founded Dell Computer Corporation in his dorm room at the University of Texas. His company became famous for selling computers directly to customers.

Dell played a big part in the computer industry, and his company grew to be one of the largest computer makers globally. Apart from business, Michael Dell also does charitable work, helping with things like education and healthcare. He has an estimated net worth of around $80 billion earning himself a spot in the list of the richest Jewish people.

7. Mark Zuckerberg

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Mark Zuckerberg, born on May 14, 1984, is an American entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Facebook. Growing up in a Jewish family in White Plains, New York, Zuckerberg displayed early aptitude for computers and programming. While attending Harvard University, he and his roommates launched Facebook in 2004, initially as a social network for their fellow students. The platform rapidly expanded and became a global phenomenon, revolutionizing social interactions on the internet.

Under Zuckerberg’s leadership, the Facebook company as since developed to a bigder company called Meta Platforms, acquiring platforms like Instagram and WhatsApp. Despite his success, Zuckerberg has faced public scrutiny for privacy concerns and other issues related to the platform. Beyond his role at Facebook, he has engaged in philanthropy, including significant contributions to education and health initiatives. He has an estimated of around $135 billion.

8. Len Blavatnik

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Sir Leonard “Len” Valentinovich Blavatnik is a British-American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Born on June 14, 1957, in Odessa, Ukraine (then part of the Soviet Union), he emigrated with his family to the United States in 1978. Blavatnik is of Jewish descent. Len Blavatnik is the founder and chairman of Access Industries, a privately-held industrial group with diverse holdings in natural resources and chemicals, media and telecommunications, technology, and real estate.

He is known for his investments in various industries, including technology, entertainment, and energy. Beyond his business activities, Blavatnik is involved in philanthropy. He has made substantial donations to educational and scientific institutions, including Oxford University and Yale University. He has a net worth $31.3 billion.

9. Alain Wertheimer

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Alain Wertheimer is a French businessman and co-owner of Chanel, the renowned luxury fashion and beauty house. Born on October 28, 1948, in France, Alain, along with his brother Gérard Wertheimer, inherited the ownership of Chanel from their father, Jacques Wertheimer. The Wertheimer family, of Jewish heritage, has been associated with Chanel since the early 20th century when Jacques Wertheimer became a business partner with Coco Chanel herself.

Under Alain and Gérard’s leadership, Chanel has maintained its position as one of the most iconic and successful fashion brands globally. Alain Wertheimer is known for being private and low-profile, and he plays a key role in overseeing Chanel’s operations. His contributions to the fashion industry and the success of Chanel have made him a notable figure in the business world. He has an estimated net worth of around US$40 billion.

10. Gérard Wertheimer

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Gérard Wertheimer is a French businessman and co-owner of Chanel, the esteemed luxury fashion and beauty brand. Born on July 17, 1951, in France, Gérard, along with his brother Alain Wertheimer, inherited ownership of Chanel from their father, Jacques Wertheimer. The Wertheimer family, of Jewish heritage, has a long-standing association with Chanel dating back to the early 20th century when Jacques Wertheimer became a business partner of Coco Chanel.

Gérard and Alain have continued the family’s legacy, maintaining Chanel’s status as one of the world’s foremost fashion houses. Gérard Wertheimer, known for being discreet and avoiding the public eye, actively participates in overseeing Chanel’s operations. His contributions, along with those of his brother, have been instrumental in sustaining Chanel’s iconic reputation in the global fashion industry. He has an estimated net worth of US$40 billion.

11. Roman Abramovich

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Roman Abramovich is a Russian-Israeli billionaire businessman, investor, and owner of the Chelsea Football Club. His billions made him one of Russia’s most powerful people with close links to Presidents Yeltsin and Putin. From 2000 to 2008, his connections enabled him to serve as governor of Russia’s remote Chukotka area despite no political experience.He has Jewish roots and he owns Russian, Israeli and Portuguese citizenship.

Internationally, Roman Abramovich is most famous as the high-spending owner of British football club Chelsea F.C. He bought Chelsea in 2003 and spent over $1.5 billion on star players that brought many trophies. But after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Abramovich faced sanctions from the UK government for his close ties to President Putin, forcing him to sell Chelsea after almost 20 years of ownership.

12. Jeff Yass

Eric Jones / The International Financial Services Centre on Custom House Quay

Jeff Yass, born on March 10, 1956, is an American entrepreneur and trader. Yass grew up in a middle-class Jewish family in Queens. Known for his success in the financial industry, Yass co-founded Susquehanna International Group (SIG), a global quantitative trading firm. Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Yass has kept a relatively low public profile despite his substantial impact on the financial markets. Jeff Yass’s influence in the trading world is significant, particularly in the realm of options and derivatives.

SIG, under his leadership, has been at the forefront of quantitative trading strategies. Yass’s knack for risk management and innovation has contributed to the firm’s success. While he tends to stay out of the limelight, Jeff Yass’s contributions to the financial industry and his role in co-founding SIG have solidified his reputation as a key figure in the world of trading and finance. His net worth is estimated to be around $28.5 billion.

13. Miriam Adelson

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Miriam Adelson, born in 1945, is an Israeli-American philanthropist and physician. She is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, a prominent American businessman and casino magnate who passed away in January 2021. The Adelson family is known for its significant contributions to various causes, particularly in the fields of medical research, education, and Jewish causes. She became the owner of the Las Vegas Sands. 

Miriam Adelson is a doctor specializing in internal and emergency medicine, and she has been involved in medical research and treatment. The Adelsons were known for their support of various charitable endeavors, and they donated substantial amounts to medical research, educational institutions, and organizations supporting Jewish causes. Their wealth is estimated to be around $32.8 billion and she is the richest Israeli in the world.

14. Jim Simons

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Jim Simons, born on April 25, 1938, is an American mathematician,  hedge fund manager, and philanthropist who was born into a into a Jewish family. Originally from Newton, Massachusetts, Simons has had a remarkable career spanning academia, finance, and philanthropy. With a strong background in mathematics, Simons made notable contributions to geometry and topology. Later in his career, he founded Renaissance Technologies, a quantitative hedge fund, in 1982.

Under his leadership, Renaissance became known for its use of mathematical models to inform trading decisions, leading to substantial success in the financial industry. Jim Simons is also recognized for his philanthropic efforts. Through the Simons Foundation, which he co-founded with his wife Marilyn, he has supported various initiatives in mathematics, science, and education. Simons’s net worth is estimated to be $29.4 billion.

15. Leonid Mikhelson

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Leonid Mikhelson, born on August 11, 1955, is a Russian billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is the chairman and major shareholder of Novatek, Russia’s largest independent natural gas producer. Mikhelson is also involved in various other sectors, including petrochemicals and finance. Born in Kaspiysk, Dagestan, Mikhelson comes from a Jewish family. He earned a degree in industrial civil engineering from the Samara Institute of Civil Engineering.

Mikhelson began his career in the construction industry and later transitioned to the energy sector. Under his leadership, Novatek has grown to become a key player in the Russian natural gas industry. Mikhelson’s business success has also made him one of the wealthiest individuals in Russia. Additionally, he is known for his philanthropic efforts, contributing to various charitable causes in Russia. He has an estimated net worth of 29.0 billion U.S. dollars.

16. Leonard Lauder

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Leonard Lauder, born on March 19, 1933, is an American businessman, philanthropist, and art collector. He is the son of Estée Lauder, the founder of the cosmetics company Estée Lauder Companies. Leonard Lauder served as the President and later Chairman of the company, contributing significantly to its growth and success. Lauder is known for his philanthropic activities, particularly in the fields of education, medical research, and the arts.

He has been a prominent art collector, and in 2013, he pledged to donate his extensive Cubist art collection to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Leonard Lauder comes from a Jewish family. His family’s contributions to the cosmetics industry, coupled with his personal achievements and philanthropy, have made him a respected figure in both the business and cultural spheres. His net worth is estimated to be around 21 billion U.S. dollars.

17. Carl Icahn

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Carl Icahn, born on February 16, 1936, is an American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. Known for his aggressive approach to investing, Icahn has been a prominent figure in the world of finance. He was born in Queens, New York, to a Jewish family. Icahn is the founder and controlling shareholder of Icahn Enterprises, a diversified conglomerate holding company. Over the years, he has gained a reputation as an activist investor, often acquiring significant stakes in companies and advocating for changes to boost shareholder value.

Beyond his business activities, Carl Icahn has engaged in various philanthropic endeavors, including substantial donations to medical research and education. His influence in the financial sector and his bold investment strategies have made him a well-known and sometimes controversial figure. His net worth is estimated to be $16.8 billion.

18. Daniel Gilbert

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Daniel Gilbert is a self-made American billionaire businessman. Born to a middle-class family, his parents were both from Eastern European Jewish immigrant backgrounds. Gilbert took an entrepreneurial interest from a young age. At just 22 years old, he co-founded the mortgage lending company Rock Financial in 1985 – later renamed Quicken Loans. He innovated in the fintech space by offering fast online loan approvals and digitized mortgages. Quicken grew rapidly to become America’s largest home loan lender.

Gilbert owns around 97% of Quicken and has invested in over 100 companies through his Rock Ventures firm. His estimated net worth is around US$18.3 billion which makes him one of the wealthiest people from Michigan. Beyond business, Gilbert purchased the Cleveland Cavaliers NBA team in 2005 and invested hugely in reviving the struggling franchise. His efforts helped them win the 2016 championship. 

19. David Tepper

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David Tepper was born to a middle-class Jewish family in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He gained interest in investing at a young age working in his father’s accounting office. Tepper started his career as a credit analyst but soon launched his own hedge fund in 1993 called Appaloosa Management. With a strategy focused on investing in distressed companies, Appaloosa grew tremendously, making billions during economic recessions.

Tepper earned fame on Wall Street for his bold style and uncanny ability to predict market swings. His tremendous success enabled him to purchase the Carolina Panthers football team for $2.2 billion in 2018. Today, Tepper is estimated to hold a personal net worth of over $20 billion. The self-made investor is recognized both for his business prowess as well as philanthropy efforts, having donated over $100 million to various charities and organizations over the years.

20. Steve Cohen

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Steve Cohen grew up in a middle-class Jewish family in Great Neck, New York. His father was an accountant who first sparked Cohen’s interest in the stock market. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business in 1978, Cohen got his first Wall Street job at stock brokerage firm Gruntal & Co. He developed a reputation as a star trader and made a lot of money for the company. In 1992, Cohen founded his own hugely successful hedge fund called SAC Capital Advisors with $20 million. Over 20 years, it grew to manage over $16 billion in investments.

Cohen started a new firm called Point72 Asset Management which oversees $23 billion of his personal fortune today. He also owns the New York Mets baseball team which he bought for $2.4 billion. Now worth about $19.8 billion, Steve Cohen is recognized as one of history’s greatest traders despite past controversy. His philanthropy donates over $275 million per year to healthcare, education, arts and more.

21. Eric Schmidt

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Eric Schmidt, born on April 27, 1955, is an American businessman known for his key roles at Google and Alphabet. He comes from a Jewish family, with his Jewish roots being part of his cultural background. Schmidt earned a Ph.D. in computer science and played a crucial role in Google’s growth, serving as its CEO and later as the executive chairman of Alphabet.

Under his leadership, Google became a global technology giant. While his professional achievements are well-recognized, details about his personal life, including his Jewish heritage, are not always extensively publicized. Schmidt’s impact on the tech industry and his cultural background contribute to his multifaceted identity. His net worth is estimated to be around US$25.1 billion.

22. Eyal Ofer

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Eyal Ofer, born on May 2, 1950, is an Israeli-born international businessman and philanthropist. He comes from a prominent Jewish family, with his father, Sammy Ofer, being a well-known shipping magnate. Eyal Ofer has followed in his family’s footsteps and has made significant contributions to the shipping and real estate industries. Ofer is the chairman of Ofer Global, a diverse group of businesses with interests in shipping, real estate, and other sectors.

He has played a key role in expanding the family’s business empire globally. Additionally, Ofer is involved in philanthropy, supporting various causes through the family’s charitable foundation. Born in Israel, Eyal Ofer’s achievements in business and his commitment to philanthropy reflect the values of his family. His net worth is estimated to be around US$20.7 billion.

23. George Kaiser

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George Kaiser is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist. He is known for his involvement in the oil and gas industry, being the chairman of BOK Financial Corporation and the majority owner of Kaiser-Francis Oil Company. George’s net worth was estimated at $13.3 billion

George Kaiser has also gained recognition for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of education and social welfare. The George Kaiser Family Foundation, established by him, supports various initiatives aimed at improving the well-being of children and families, including education, health, and community development.

24. Mikhail Fridman

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Mikhail Fridman, born in 1964, is a Russian entrepreneur and chairman of Alfa Group. He is of Russian-Jewish descent and has played key roles in the financial, energy, and telecommunications sectors. As the founder of Alfa Group and chairman of LetterOne, Fridman has been involved in various business ventures.

Beyond his business success, he engages in philanthropy, contributing to education, healthcare, and cultural projects. While details about his personal life may not be extensively publicized, the mention of his Russian-Jewish descent adds a cultural and ethnic dimension to his background.

25. Jan Koum

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Jan Koum, born on February 24, 1976, is a Ukrainian-American entrepreneur of Jewish descent celebrated for co-founding WhatsApp, a prominent messaging app. Originally from Kyiv, Ukraine, Koum and his family immigrated to the United States in pursuit of better opportunities, facing financial challenges as immigrants. Before WhatsApp, he worked at Yahoo. WhatsApp, founded in 2009, quickly became a global phenomenon in communication.

Jan Koum’s success story is rooted in the American Dream, overcoming hardships to create a revolutionary tech platform. In 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp, marking a significant milestone. Koum continued at Facebook for a while, later resigning over concerns about data privacy. He has an estimated net worth of US$15.2 billion.

26. Viatcheslav Kantor

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Viatcheslav Kantor was born in 1953 in Moscow to Anatoly Kantor, a prominent Soviet aerospace engineer. He trained as a scientist himself, earning a PhD in space medicine. In the late 1980s, as communist rule declined, Kantor leveraged his connections into business success. He founded Acron, which would become one of Russia’s largest fertilizer producers. Today, Kantor has expanded into banking, real estate, gas production, and other ventures mainly through his Swiss-based Trinidad & Tobago S.A conglomerate.

He serves as President of Moscow-based European Jewish Congress and is an advocate against antisemitism. Kantor has also authored multiple books on bridging divides between ethnic groups. Forbes estimates his net worth at $4.4 billion as of 2024. While maintaining close ties to Vladimir Putin’s Kremlin, he focuses significant resources on philanthropic initiatives in education, healthcare, sports and the arts both in Western institutions and within Russia. He has dual Russian and Israeli citizenship and resides mostly in Switzerland, London, and Moscow.

27. Stephen Michael Ross

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Stephen Ross, born on May 10, 1940, is an American real estate developer and investor. Ross grew up in a Jewish family in Detroit . He is the founder and chairman of Related Companies, a major real estate development firm. Ross has been involved in numerous high-profile projects, including the Hudson Yards development in New York City.

While Ross is known for his contributions to the real estate industry, he is also recognized for his ownership of the Miami Dolphins an NFL football team. Ross’s business success extends to various sectors, including sports and entertainment. He is one of the most richest people with the Jew heritage with a net worth of around $10.1 billion as of January 2024.

28. Mikhail Prokhorov

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Mikhail Prokhorov, born on May 3, 1965, is a Russian billionaire, entrepreneur, and politician of Jewish descent who made his fortune in the metals and banking industries and is known for being the former owner of the Brooklyn Nets, an NBA basketball team. Prokhorov, of Russian descent, is one of the wealthiest individuals globally. He co-founded the Onexim Group, a conglomerate with diverse investments, ranging from natural resources to technology.

In addition to his business ventures, Prokhorov entered politics and ran for the Russian presidency in 2012. He has been associated with various philanthropic efforts and has supported initiatives in education, sports, and science. He has an estimated net worth of around $13.5 billion.

29. Israel Englander

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Israel “Izzy” Englander, born on October 18, 1948, is an American hedge fund manager and the founder of Millennium Management LLC, one of the world’s largest hedge funds. He is known for his expertise in quantitative trading and risk management. Englander was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family.

He started his career in finance and later founded Millennium Management in 1989. The hedge fund has grown significantly under his leadership, managing substantial assets and attracting attention in the financial industry. His net worth is estimated to be around $11 billion.

30. Donald Newhouse

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Donald Newhouse, born on September 1929, is an American billionaire businessman and media magnate. He, along with his brother Samuel, inherited Advance Publications, a media company founded by their father. Advance Publications owns numerous newspapers and magazines, including The New Yorker, Vogue, and Vanity Fair.

Born in Staten Island, New York, Donald Newhouse comes from a Jewish family. The Newhouse family has been influential in the media industry for decades, and their company, Advance Publications, is one of the largest privately-held media companies in the world. His net worth is estimated to be $19.4 billion.

In conclusion, the success stories of these billionaires represent the ability for Jews across varying backgrounds to achieve prosperity through financial acumen, investment strategy, and transformative companies or assets. Despite facing discrimination at times, these tycoons built immense fortunes and rose to prominence.

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