Florida's Three Comma Club

Meet The Sunshine State's 10 Wealthiest People And Learn How They Made Their Billions

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In March, Forbes released its annual list of billionaires or, as the editors call it, The Three Comma Club.

Out of 2,208 members across the globe, 51 reside in Florida - and, of those 51, more than half are reportedly based in the South Florida area.

Many of them are immigrants - self-made men who made their money through hard work and perseverance. Others expanded upon existing family fortunes, impressively increasing their net worth through skilled leadership and smart investments.

The sources of their riches vary as well, from traditional avenues like banking and wealth management to more colorful routes like fast food and cruise ships. Many opt to reside in Palm Beach, with several taking on second careers in sports: Four are involved in the leadership of NFL, NBA or MLB teams.

Join us as we get to know the state's 10 wealthiest individuals, including a look at how they amassed such riches.

The richest man in Florida (not to mention the 57th richest person in the world, according to Bloomberg) was once a Hungarian refugee who arrived penniless in the United States at age 21. THOMAS PETERFFY was a quick learner who went from computer programmer to the founder, chairman and CEO of Interactive Brokers, one of the top brokerage firms in the country. Now 73, he resides in Palm Beach but says he has no plans to formally retire.

Forbes rank: 47

Net worth: $20.3 billion

According to Forbes, DAVID TEPPER, 60, is "arguably the greatest hedge fund manager of his generation." Based in Miami Beach, his Appaloosa Management firm now handles some $17 billion. In 2009, the Pittsburgh native bought a 5 percent stake in the Pittsburgh Steelers until, in 2018, he finalized a deal to buy the Carolina Panthers. "I'm just a regular upper-middle-class guy," Tepper once told New York magazine, "who happens to be a billionaire."

Forbes rank: 138

Net worth: $11 billion

MICKY ARISON immigrated to the United States from Tel Aviv with his father, who cofounded cruise ship company Carnival with a single vessel. The younger Arison, now 69, dropped out of college to become a company sales rep, later becoming its CEO for 34 years and growing it into the world's largest cruise operator. He stepped down in 2013 but still owns the Miami Heat, which he bought in 1995. Under Arison, the team has won three NBA championships.

Forbes rank: 154

Net worth: $9.7 billion

In 2012, Forbes featured SHAHID KHAN on its cover, citing him as an example of the American Dream. At 16, he moved from Pakistan to the United States, where his first job was as a dishwasher. In college, he worked for auto parts supplier Flex-N-Gate, later buying the company from his employer. Today, the company has 62 plants worldwide and more than 24,000 employees. Khan, 68, also owns the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars; the U.K.'s Fulham Football Club; and a 300-foot yacht, Kismet.

Forbes rank: 217

Net worth: $7.2 billion

Following the death of his father, CHARLES JOHNSON became CEO of Franklin Resources when he was just 24. Now 85, he spent 56 years with the global investment firm, raising its assets from $2.5 million in 1957 to more than $800 million at the time of his 2013 retirement. That same year, he reportedly paid $42 million for an estate in Palm Beach. He is also the principal owner of MLB's San Francisco Giants.

Forbes rank: 321

Net worth: $5.6 billion

No dairy? No problem. Rich Products - the first company to manufacture nondairy whipped cream - has $3.6 billion in annual sales. It's led by ROBERT RICH JR., 77, whose father founded the company in 1945. And it's still a family affair: Rich's wife, Mindy, serves as vice-chairman of the brand, which also produces pizza dough, meatballs and more. They live in Islamorada. Rich's quest to qualify for the Metropolitan South Florida Fishing Tournament is being developed as a feature film.

Forbes rank: 372

Net worth: $5.2 billion

Headquartered in Naples, medical device manufacturing company Arthrex has offices all over the world and a reported annual revenue of more than $2 billion. Its founder, REINHOLD SCHMIEDING, was born to German parents who moved to the United States six months before he was born. The notoriously private billionaire, who is in his 60s, lives in both Florida and Munich, according to the Naples Daily News. He has two children.

Forbes rank: 404

Net worth: $4.9 billion

It's one thing to inherit wealth, but it's another to expand upon it - which is exactly what DIRK ZIFF has done. In 1927, his grandfather founded the publishing company Ziff Davis, which his father later built upon and sold for $1.4 billion in 1994. Ziff and his brother increased their inheritance with the formation of Ziff Brothers Investments, and, in 2015, Ziff, 53, formed his own business, Ziff Capital Partners. He lives with his wife, Natasha Bacigalupo, a former Forbes reporter, in Palm Beach.

Forbes rank: 422

Net worth: $4.8 billion

Brothers J. CHRISTOPHER REYES, 64, and JUDE REYES, 63, co-chair Reyes Holdings, a food and beverage distribution company whose clients include McDonald's, Chick-fil-A and Heineken. The company was started by their father, who purchased a small Schlitz beer distributor in 1974 for $740,000. Today, its beverage group distributes 151 million cases of beer annually. Although the company does not disclose revenue, it was projected at $30 billion in 2016. They reside with their families in Palm Beach.

Forbes rank: 441

Net worth: $4.7 billion O