Richest billionaires in Massachusetts

The first billionaire ever is thought to be Standard Oil magnate John D. Rockefeller back in 1916, or perhaps Henry Ford in 1925.

Fast forward some 100 years to 2021: As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to rage, a record-breaking 660 people became billionaires globally, growing the previous year's number by 30%.

While the U.S. is home to the most billionaires out of any other country, Americans are somewhat split in their feelings on the billionaire class. According to Pew Research Center data, people in the U.S. became somewhat more critical of billionaires between 2020 and 2021.

Although support for individual billionaires like Bill Gates is relatively strong, many Americans view the ultra-rich—as a group rather than as individuals—negatively. Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is projected to become the world's first trillionaire by 2026.

The U.S.'s wealthiest billionaires are mostly concentrated within just a couple of industries: finance and investments, and technology. Other wealthy sectors include food and drink, fashion and retail, and media and entertainment. Stacker compiled a list of the richest billionaires who are residents of Massachusetts, using data from Forbes. Billionaires are ranked by net worth as of March 24. Forbes lists 18 billionaires in Massachusetts.

#18. Paul Fireman
- Net worth: $1.1 billion (#2,271 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Brookline
- Source of wealth: Reebok, self made

#17. Jim Koch
- Net worth: $1.5 billion (#1,852 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Newton
- Source of wealth: beer, self made

#16. Robert Langer
- Net worth: $1.8 billion (#1,646 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: biotech, self made

#15. Noubar Afeyan
- Net worth: $1.8 billion (#1,632 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Lexington
- Source of wealth: biotech, self made

#14. Alan Trefler
- Net worth: $1.8 billion (#1,608 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Brookline
- Source of wealth: software, self made

#13. Phillip T. (Terry) Ragon
- Net worth: $2.2 billion (#1,337 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: health IT, self made

#12. Timothy Springer
- Net worth: $2.2 billion (#1,328 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Chestnut Hill
- Source of wealth: biotech, self made

#10. Bill Alfond (tie)
- Net worth: $2.5 billion (#1,219 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: shoes

#10. Ted Alfond (tie)
- Net worth: $2.5 billion (#1,219 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Weston
- Source of wealth: shoes

#9. Herb Chambers
- Net worth: $2.5 billion (#1,202 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: car dealerships, self made

#8. Frank Laukien
- Net worth: $2.8 billion (#1,060 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: scientific equipment

#7. Amos Hostetter Jr
- Net worth: $3.4 billion (#826 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: cable television, self made

#6. Jim Davis & family
- Net worth: $4.9 billion (#549 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Newton
- Source of wealth: New Balance, self made

#5. Robert Hale Jr
- Net worth: $5.0 billion (#539 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: telecom, self made

#4. Elizabeth Johnson
- Net worth: $5.3 billion (#485 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: Fidelity

#3. Edward Johnson IV
- Net worth: $6.8 billion (#343 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Boston
- Source of wealth: Fidelity

#2. Robert Kraft
- Net worth: $10.6 billion (#165 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Brookline
- Source of wealth: Manufacturing, New England Patriots, self made

#1. Abigail Johnson
- Net worth: $21.6 billion (#74 wealthiest in the world)
- Residence: Milton
- Source of wealth: Fidelity