The Forbes 400

It has been a terrible year for many, but the good times keep rolling for America’s richest. The 400 wealthiest Americans saw their collective fortune increase 40% over the last year, to $4.5 trillion, and a record net worth of $2.9 billion is required to make the cut.

IT HAS BEEN A TERRIBLE YEAR FOR MANY, but the good times keep on rolling for the nation’s richest. The 400 wealthiest Americans saw their collective fortune increase 40% over the last year, to $4.5 trillion. Nearly all are richer than they were a year ago. There are 44 new names on the list, which now requires a minimum net worth of $2.9 billion. What hasn’t increased? Their generosity. The number of Forbes 400 members who gave away more than 20% of their net worth since last year’s list dropped from ten to eight, while those who gave away less than 1% of their wealth rose from 127 to 156.