It’s harder than ever to make The Forbes 400 ranking of America’s wealthiest people, with the minimum net worth reaching a record-breaking $3.3 billion amid soaring markets. Despite the high threshold, 23 newcomers managed to elbow their way into this elite group this year, making the list for the first time.

These newbies amassed their fortunes in industries ranging from private equity and plastic pipes, to fast food and retail, to social media and technology. They got rich building brands like Raising Cane’s chicken fingers, Jersey Mike’s subs, Dick’s Sporting Goods and OnlyFans.

This richest of all is Lyndal Stephens Greth, worth an estimated $32.3 billion, who inherited an oil and gas fortune when her father, Autry Stephens, died in August. A handful of others also inherited their way into the ranks, but nearly three-quarters amassed their own wealth.

Combined, these 23 newcomers are worth $163 billion, good for just 3% of the total wealth of The Forbes 400.

Here are the 23 new members of The Forbes 400 in 2024.

The daughter of oil and gas tycoon Autry Stephens, she inherited the family fortune after he passed away in August at age 86. Stephens Greth was previously vice chairman of the board of Endeavor Energy Resources, her late father’s oil exploration and production company, which merged with publicly traded Diamondback Energy in September in a $26 billion deal.

Marilyn Simons was married to hedge fund legend Jim Simons, the founder of quantitative trading fund Renaissance Technologies who died in May at age 86. The couple have given some $6 billion to philanthropic causes, including being the primary funders of Math For America.

Louisiana native Todd Graves is founder and CEO of fried chicken fast........

© Forbes