Forbes released its annual ranking of the nation’s wealthiest individuals, and Ohio earned a prominent spot with four residents on the Forbes 400 list. The publication reports that the combined net worth of all 400 honorees now totals a record $8 trillion, up $6.6 trillion from the previous year.
Higher bar, still more Ohio names
The minimum net worth required to make the list rose to $4.4 billion, up from $3.8 billion in 2025. Despite the higher threshold, 34 new names entered the 2026 ranking, underscoring a robust expansion of wealth across the country.
Ohio’s top‑ranked families
Leading the Ohio contingent is Denise York and her family, who own more than 90 percent of the San Francisco 49 Ers. Forbes values the York family’s holdings at $10 billion, making them the state’s wealthiest household.
Close behind is retail magnate Les Wexner, founder of L Brands, the former parent of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works. Wexner’s net worth is listed at $9.3 billion, placing him second in Ohio.
Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown, who helped establish the franchise in 1967, is estimated at $7.6 billion. The Brown family remains deeply involved in team operations, with daughter Katie Blackburn (formerly Brown) serving as executive vice president of the Bengals.
Newcomer to the list
Joining the Forbes 400 for the first time is August Troendle, founder and chief executive of Medpace, a clinical‑research organization based in Cincinnati since 1992. Troendle’s net worth meets the new entry threshold at $4.4 billion.
What the numbers mean for Ohio
The presence of four Ohio billionaires highlights the state’s diverse economic base, ranging from professional sports ownership to retail and life‑science entrepreneurship. While the national wealth total surges, Ohio’s representation on the list suggests local opportunities for job creation, philanthropy and community investment.
Forbes’ data also reflects broader trends in wealth concentration, with the entry bar rising and the overall pool of ultra‑high‑net‑worth individuals expanding. Ohio’s mix of legacy fortunes and new‑generation entrepreneurs illustrates how the state continues to attract and nurture high‑value enterprises.
Original reporting: WLWT Cincinnati — read the source article.
