CBS 2, CA
May 26 2007
LA’s Richest Are Named: You’re Not One Of Them
(CBS) LOS ANGELES L.A.’s rich are getting richer.
And once again self-made mogul Kirk Kerkorian is the richest of them
all. That’s according to the Los Angeles Business Journal’s annual
list of the 50 wealthiest Angelenos, which hits newsstands Monday.
Kerkorian’s estimated wealth nearly doubled to an estimated $16.1
billion, compared with an estimated $8.3 billion on last year’s list.
Born in 1917 in Fresno to Armenian immigrants, Kerkorian never
attended college and has made billions in investments in Las Vegas
casinos, airlines and the famed MGM studios — which he later sold.
Reports this week that Kerkorian was interested in buying the
Bellagio Hotel & Casino sent casino shares soaring.
Media mogul Sumner Redstone placed second for the second consecutive
year, with an estimated worth of $8.5 billion. Redstone is executive
chairman of Viacom Inc. and CBS Corp.
The civic-minded Eli Broad moved up the rankings on this year’s list
with an estimated $6.5 billion. Broad has invested heavily in
revitalizing Los Angeles, from revamping the Disney Concert Hall to
financing charter schools.
Last year, he was in fourth place with an estimated worth of $5.6
billion.
Full details of the list will be published in the Business Journal
Monday.