Two Illinois residents made the Forbes World’s Billionaires List 2025: The Top 200 . One was named the 42nd richest person in the world, while the other came in 178th.
There are 3,028 billionaires across the world by Forbes’ count, more than ever recorded, including 902 in the U.S. Illinois’ two richest residents both saw significant wealth gains compared to 2024, and both moved up on the list.
Here’s what to know about the two Illinois billionaires on the top 200 list, as well as how the Illinois governor, Elon Musk and others compared.
Lukas Walton
Lukas Walton, a resident of Chicago, was named the 42nd richest person in the world , up from 60th place last year, and the richest person in Illinois by Forbes. Walton is 38 and the grandson of Sam Walton, who founded Walmart. Lukas Walton inherited his fortune when his father died in a plane crash, Forbes reports…