Mississippi

PoPulation:

2.9 million

2016 Gross state Product:

$108 billion (0.8% Growth) GsP Per caPita:

$36,029

(ranks no. 50 nationwide) number of billionaires: 2 richest:

Thomas and James duff neT worTh: $1.2 billion each

The duff broThers own a tidy little business empire in the South full of unglamorous things. a representative company of theirs: frozen food express, a trucking service with a fleet of temperature-controlled tractor-trailers. but the family crown jewel is unquestionably the $1 billion (sales) Southern tire mart, the country’s largest dealer of commercial tires. the Duff brothers’ father, ernest, founded the columbia, mississippi, company in 1973, and his sons have run it since 1983.

over the years, thomas, 61, and James, 57 (below), have maintained a veil of privacy over their affairs, granting only a handful of interviews. What is known about the duo? they’re proud mormons; donors to thomas’ alma mater, the university of Southern mississippi (the exact sum, fittingly, never disclosed); and avid football fans. Since the 2013 season, they have provided a tractor-trailer and drivers to haul the uSm golden eagles’ gridiron equipment around.

Despite their best efforts, however, the brothers’ immense wealth hasn’t gone unnoticed. in 2016 three men were charged with conspiring to kidnap and extort thomas; police foiled their alleged plot before they could put it into action. the trial is ongoing.