T. Schneider // Shutterstock
1 / 10#10 Lyndal Stephens Greth & family
- Net worth: $26.7 billion
- Source: Oil & gas
- Industry: Energy
- Lives in: Dallas, Texas
The first billionaire is generally considered to be John D. Rockefeller in 1916, though some argue it was 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 United States has the most billionaires of any country, Americans are somewhat split on their feelings about the billionaire class. According to data from the Pew Research Center, the nation 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 ultrarich—as a group rather than as individuals—negatively. Meanwhile, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos is projected to become the world's first trillionaire by 2026.
Telecommunications billionaires made their money by connecting the world. From mobile networks to internet infrastructure, their companies provide the backbone of modern communication and play a vital role in powering the digital economy.
Stacker compiled the richest billionaires in the telecommunications industry using data from Forbes. Data is as of September 23, 2025.
#7. Kenny Troutt
- Net worth: $1.7 billion
- Source: Telecom
- Lives in: Dallas, Texas
#6. Craig McCaw
- Net worth: $2.1 billion
- Source: Telecom
- Lives in: Hunts Point, Washington
#5. John Stanton
- Net worth: $2.4 billion
- Source: wireless
- Lives in: Bellevue, Washington
#4. Marcelo Claure
- Net worth: $2.6 billion
- Source: Cell phone distribution
- Lives in: Miami Beach, Florida
#3. Abel Avellan
- Net worth: $4.2 billion
- Source: telecoms
- Lives in: Coral Gables, Florida
#2. Rocco Commisso
- Net worth: $5.9 billion
- Source: Telecom
- Lives in: Saddle River, New Jersey
#1. Robert Hale Jr
- Net worth: $6.0 billion
- Source: Telecom
- Lives in: Boston, Massachusetts
Keep reading to see the top 10 richest women in America.
Christian Liewig - Corbis/Getty Images
2 / 10#9 Melinda French Gates
- Net worth: $29.2 billion
- Source: Microsoft
- Industry: Technology
- Lives in: Seattle, Washington
360b // Shutterstock
3 / 10#8 Elaine Marshall & family
- Net worth: $30.9 billion
- Source: Koch Inc.
- Industry: Diversified
- Lives in: Dallas, Texas
Eugene Gologursky // Getty Images
4 / 10#7 Marilyn Simons & family
- Net worth: $32.5 billion
- Source: Hedge funds
- Industry: Finance & Investments
- Lives in: East Setauket, New York
JORG CARSTENSEN // Getty Images
5 / 10#6 MacKenzie Scott
- Net worth: $32.9 billion
- Source: Amazon
- Industry: Technology
- Lives in: Seattle, Washington
Drew Angerer // Getty Images
6 / 10#5 Abigail Johnson
- Net worth: $36.0 billion
- Source: Fidelity
- Industry: Finance & Investments
- Lives in: Milton, Massachusetts
Denise Truscello // Getty Images
7 / 10#4 Miriam Adelson & family
- Net worth: $36.1 billion
- Source: Casinos
- Industry: Gambling & Casinos
- Lives in: Las Vegas, Nevada
Pool // Getty Images
8 / 10#3 Jacqueline Mars
- Net worth: $41.1 billion
- Source: Candy, pet food
- Industry: Food & Beverage
- Lives in: The Plains, Virginia
Rabbani and Solimene Photography // Getty Images
9 / 10#2 Julia Koch & family
- Net worth: $81.2 billion
- Source: Koch, Inc.
- Industry: Diversified
- Lives in: New York, New York
Rick T. Wilking // Getty Images
10 / 10#1 Alice Walton
- Net worth: $111.4 billion
- Source: Walmart
- Industry: Fashion & Retail
- Lives in: Fort Worth, Texas
