According to Forbes, Kamal Ghaffarian has achieved a milestone, becoming the 1,435th wealthiest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion. Spanning from Tehran to Naples, Florida-this serial entrepreneur is a 64-year-old real estate tycoon, art collector, and leader of X-Energy, Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space, and SGT, transforming him into one of the world’s newest billionaire residents of Southwest Florida.
According to Forbes, Kamal Ghaffarian, a space tycoon residing in Naples, Florida, has been named the 1,435th wealthiest person in the world. His estimated net worth of $2.1 billion comprises assets including stakes in private and public companies, real estate, art, and more. Kamal Ghaffarian’s success story inspires many as he joins the ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals.
The serial entrepreneur founded modular nuclear reactor manufacturer X-Energy and cofounded Intuitive Machines, a maker of moon landers. His most recent venture is Axiom Space, which is developing the world’s first commercial space station, with a planned launch next year. He is also the proud former owner of SGT, which became NASA’s second-largest engineering services provider when it sold for $355 million. Born in Iran, Ghaffarian moved to the United States to attend college at 18. Now 64 years old and “engaged,” Kamal Ghaffarian’s impressive entrepreneurial success has landed him among the world’s wealthiest people.
With Ghaffarian’s addition, seven billionaires from Southwest Florida proudly call Naples their home.
The Rise of Shahid Khan
Shahid Khan, a 72-year-old engineering mogul, has been recognized for his remarkable success this year. Ranked number 144 on Forbes’ Billionaire List with a net worth of $12.1 billion, he is now the wealthiest person in Naples and the region. Last year, Khan was ranked at number 313, with a net worth of $7.6 billion. His company, Flex-N-Gate, a one-piece truck bumper supplier, has expanded to become a global corporation with nearly 70 plants and over 26,000 employees. Khan’s outstanding entrepreneurial spirit and excellence in engineering have led him to achieve immense success.
Reinhold Schmieding, 68, was proud to have made a triumphant return to the Forbes global list of billionaires in 2023, jumping up from 330th place to 282nd. His net worth grew significantly, increasing from $7.2 billion to an impressive $7.7 billion. Schmieding, who hails from Michigan but currently resides in Naples, founded Arthrex, an orthopedic surgical tools company, in Munich, Germany, in 1981. The now North Naples-based firm has developed countless products for shoulder, hip, and other joint surgeries. Tom Golisano, 81, may have fallen from 490th place to 552nd, yet his net worth remained substantial despite dropping from $5.4 billion to $4.9 billion.
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- Tom Golisano
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- David Hoffmann
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- Richard Schulze
Golisano founded payroll firm Paychex, a publicly-traded company that started with just $3,000 and a credit card. His considerable success led him to serve as CEO of the company until 2004, and he remains a director today.
David Hoffmann, 70, soared up to No. 1,804, with his net worth growing from $1.3 billion to $1.6 billion. Hoffmann is the proud founder of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, headquartered in Naples, boasting over 100 brands and dozens of locations across the globe, and being the city’s largest owner of commercial real estate. Despite Richard Schulze’s significant success, the 82-year-old fell from No. 665 to No. 766, with his net worth dropping from $4.3 billion to $3.7 billion.
Schulze, a former Bonita Springs resident, founded Sound of Music, which later transitioned into Best Buy. He has served as CEO from 1983 to 2002, Chairman from 2002 to 2012, and Chairman Emeritus since 2013. Additionally, he is the largest individual shareholder of Best Buy, according to Forbes. Furthermore, Schulze is dedicated to giving away $1 billion of his fortune in his lifetime through his family foundation. Florida boasts 92 billionaires on the 2023 list of world’s billionaires, up from 79 in 2022.
Kamal Ghaffarian is a stellar example of what determination and drive can do; his incredible journey from Iran to South West Florida inspires many on the accomplishments one can have if one puts their mind to it. With his estimated net worth of $2.1 billion, Ghaffarian joins the ranks of the world’s wealthiest individuals and currently represents the seventh billionaire from Southwest Florida who now calls Naples their home. His success story showcases the artist of money-making and inspires anyone brave enough to take risks to succeed.
