Richest billionaires in Tennessee

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.

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 found the richest billionaires in Tennessee, using data from Forbes. Net worth is as of Sept. 18, 2025.

#12. Forrest Preston
- Net worth: $1.4 billion
- Source: Health care
- Industry: Healthcare
- Lives in: Cleveland, Tennessee

#11. Brad Kelley
- Net worth: $1.4 billion
- Source: Tobacco
- Industry: Real Estate
- Lives in: Franklin, Tennessee

#10. Jeffrey Lorberbaum
- Net worth: $1.5 billion
- Source: Flooring
- Industry: Manufacturing
- Lives in: Chattanooga, Tennessee

#9. Taylor Swift
- Net worth: $1.6 billion
- Source: Music
- Industry: Media & Entertainment
- Lives in: Nashville, Tennessee

#8. Dean Solon
- Net worth: $1.6 billion
- Source: Solar systems
- Industry: Energy
- Lives in: Gallatin, Tennessee

#7. Amy Adams Strunk
- Net worth: $2.0 billion
- Source: Tennessee Titans
- Industry: Sports
- Lives in: Nashville, Tennessee

#6. Willis Johnson
- Net worth: $2.7 billion
- Source: Damaged cars
- Industry: Automotive
- Lives in: Franklin, Tennessee

#5. Jon Yarbrough
- Net worth: $5.4 billion
- Source: Gambling machines
- Industry: Gambling & Casinos
- Lives in: Franklin, Tennessee

#4. Bill Haslam
- Net worth: $5.7 billion
- Source: Gas stations
- Industry: Fashion & Retail
- Lives in: Knoxville, Tennessee

#3. Martha Ingram & family
- Net worth: $6.0 billion
- Source: Book distribution, transportation
- Industry: Media & Entertainment
- Lives in: Nashville, Tennessee

#2. Jimmy Haslam
- Net worth: $8.7 billion
- Source: Gas stations, retail
- Industry: Fashion & Retail
- Lives in: Knoxville, Tennessee

#1. Thomas Frist Jr & family
- Net worth: $32.1 billion
- Source: Hospitals
- Industry: Healthcare
- Lives in: Nashville, Tennessee