Charles Koch

• Real Time Net Worth As of 10/15/15
• $42.3 Billion
• CEO, Koch Industries

Age

79

Source Of Wealth

diversified

Self-Made Score

5

Residence

Wichita, KS

Citizenship

United States

Marital Status

Married

Children

2

Education

Bachelor of Arts / Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Master of Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

One of the most politically influential billionaires in the U.S., Charles Koch compares his crusade for smaller government and economic liberty to the civil rights campaign. "Will you stand with us to help save our country?" Koch asked the crowd gathered in August at Koch-backed Freedom Partners Policy Leaders conference in California. In attendance were Republican hopefuls Jeb Bush, Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Texas Senator Ted Cruz, all there to pay their respects to the Kochs. Donald Trump wasn't invited. Funding for the Koch influence machine comes from $115 billion (sales) Koch Industries, which Charles continues to steer as chairman. He's held that job since 1967 when the company was worth $50 million. Now the second largest private company in America, it's valued at $100 billion. He owns the vast majority of the business with his brother, David Koch (also a Forbes 400 member), who runs its chemical technology business. The brothers' fortunes fell slightly in the past year owing to weakness in the manufacturing and pipeline sectors.