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With a net worth of $219 billion, Tesla CEO Elon Musk represented Texas at the tip-top of Forbes’ World’s Billionaires List, which measures the wealth of all 2,668 billionaires across the globe. Together, the world's billionaires hold a total of $4.7 trillion, $299 billion of which resides in Austin.
Joining Musk are eight other Austin-area entrepreneurs, with Bumble founder Whitney Wolfe Herd dropping off the list in the new year, and dozens from across the state.
Forbes determined net worth using stock prices and exchange rates from March 11, 2022, but also provides real-time rankings.
No. 1 (+1) Elon Musk, $219 billion
(Bob Daemmrich)
Always neck and neck with Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who is currently worth $171 billion, the half-time Austin resident has multiplied his wealth more than 10-fold in the last four years. Between growing compies Tesla, which relocated its headquarters to Austin, and SpaceX, which is in South Texas, Musk also recently joined the board at Twitter after buying 9.2% of the company. This is the first time Musk has taken the top slot on Forbes' list.
No. 24 (+6) Michael Dell, $55.1 billion
A lifelong Texas resident and University of Texas alumnus, CEO and chairman of Dell Technologies Michael Dell’s fortune has more than doubled since 2020, when he was worth just $22.9 billion. In 2017, Dell donated $1 billion of his fortune to the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to help child poverty.
No. 369 (+82) Robert F. Smith, $6.7 billion
Founder of Vista Equity Partners, one of the best-performing firms of its kind, Robert F. Smith is the wealthiest Black man in America. Smith is also the first Black man to sign the Giving Pledge, promising to give away the majority of his wealth, which has more than doubled since 2016. Smith reached a $140 million settlement with the U.S. Justice Department in 2020 involving undeclared offshore accounts.
No. 637 (-15) Bert "Tito" Beveridge, $4.5 billion
Founder of the booming vodka brand, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Bert “Tito” Beveridge started the company with $90,000 spread across 19 credit cards in 1997. In 2022, Beveridge’s net worth is down slightly by $100 million.
No. 709 (+247) Thai Lee, $4.1 billion
The only female billionaire in Austin, CEO of $11.1 billion IT provider SHI International Thai Lee is soaring upwards in the global billionaire rankings. Since 2017, Lee’s wealth has increased two-and-a-half fold. Born in Thailand, raised in South Korea and starting her company in the U.S. in 1989, Lee also ranked sixth on Forbes’ Self Made Women list last year.
No. 1,012 (-4) Joseph Liemandt, $3 billion
Founder of the investment firm ESW Capital, Joseph Liemandts's wealth hasn’t budged above $3 billion in four years. A young prodigy, Liemandt first made the cover of Forbes magazine at 27 years old in 1996.
No. 1,096 (+78) John Paul DeJoria, $2.8 billion
The Patron Spirits Co. founder and John Paul Mitchell Systems hair care mogul John Paul DeJoria is catching back up after falling more than 500 spaces on the list last year. His fortune has been on a roller coaster since 2013 but he’s never failed to make the list.
No. 1,445 (-196) Jim Breyer, $2.1 billion
One of Facebook, now Meta’s, first venture investors, Breyer has some high-up connections, like his U.S. Senate minority leader brother-in-law Mitch McConnell. Breyer has invested in more than 40 companies like Etsy, Marvel and Legendary Entertainment, but credits his involvement with Facebook as his best business decision.
No. 1,729 (+21) David Booth, $1.7 billion
Making up a marginal amount of his 400-space fall from last year, Dimensional Fund Advisors cofounder David Booth told Forbes he began a decades-long experiment in applying academic theory to real-world investing in 1981.
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(Austonia file photo)
A report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that nonfarm employment in the Austin metro rose 8.5% from March 2021 to March this year, trailing just behind Orlando, Florida at 8.6%.
The metro area that raked in the highest increase was Las Vegas, Nevada with a 12% jump.
The bureau’s report looked at large metro areas that had a population of 1 million or more in 2010.
The Austin metro was a standout among the other metro areas when it comes to the change over a 5 and 10-year period, which increased by 19% and nearly 47%, respectively.
(Tyson's Tacos/Instagram)
A cheap, delicious, easy and prominent morning food, breakfast tacos are beloved by Central Texans. While most records point to the first breakfast “taquito” being created in Corpus Christi in the 1950s, Austin coined the term “breakfast taco” and ran with it.
Since then, breakfast tacos have been sold and enjoyed all over the city. If you’re a taco-enthusiast, give these spots a shot.
El Tacocorrido | Multiple locations
This is the stop for a dependable, affordable, tasty and easy breakfast taco. Six locations around the city—from South Austin to Burnet—serving $2.50 choose-your-filling breakfast tacos all day with a drive thru so you never have to leave your car. The taqueria has all things breakfast covered with coffee drinks and horchata on deck but can also transition to night with guava margaritas and micheladas.
Granny’s Tacos | 1401 East 7th St.
Who doesn’t want a breakfast taco made by Granny? Granny’s Tacos is the place to be if you're looking for a taco unlike any other. Stuffed with corn chips and topped with mole, cotija, onion and jalapenos, the chilaquil taco is eggless but that doesn’t mean you can’t eat it for breakfast. However, you can always opt for migas, machaca or ranchero tacos.
Joe's Bakery & Coffee Shop | 2305 E 7th St.
(Joe's Bakery/Facebook)
Lovers of the classic bacon, egg and cheese will want to try a taco at Joe's Bakery, which batters its bacon before frying for an added crunch. Opened more than 75 years ago by Joe Avila, the shop has served cheap eats to generations of Austinites. Most tacos start at $2.25 each and come on a warm, homemade flour tortilla but Joe’s is a breakfast food paradise with other menu offerings like migas, pancakes and more.
Pueblo Viejo | Multiple locations
Whether you’re after a simple build-your-own breakfast taco or a more adventurous creation for breakfast, Pueblo Viejo sells a healthy mix of both. Pueblo Viejo goes above and beyond when it comes to salsa with five varieties: Pico, tomatillo, creamy jalapeno, roasted habanero, and habanero and ghost chili. For a fan favorite, try a Migas taco or Don Chago breakfast taco—which comes with beans, cheese, bacon and avocado.
Rosita’s al Pastor | 1801 E. Riverside Dr.
Though Rosita’s is known for its al pastor tacos, its homemade flour tortillas make an excellent foundation for breakfast tacos. At just $1.99 each, the pillowy tacos are scrambled on a flattop, available until 4 p.m. and can be delivered via drive thru. Rosita’s breakfast tacos barely scratch the surface of the pretty pink menu.
Tamale House East | 1707 E 6th St.
Not only does Tamale House East sport an impressively large menu, serve food in an enchanted seeming garden and serve as a 60-year institution, it also has a full parking lot in the heart of East 6th. No matter what you order—from the migas taco to the bacon, egg, cheese and ranchera taco to one of the signature tamales—it’s all made with Tamale House love.
Tyson’s Tacos | 4905 Airport Blvd.
This taqueria allows you to get your breakfast taco fix at any time of the day or night since it is open 24/7. The unassuming, mismatched exterior is home to an almost overwhelming amount of creatively-named tacos for sale, like the migas-based creamy Sriracha-topped “King George,” sausage and cheese “Bond Girl” or potato and cheese “Princess Leia (White Girl).” Make sure the forecast isn’t too hot to sit outside before you head out!
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ | 11500 Menchaca Rd.
Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ blends two of Central Texas’ greatest loves: Breakfast tacos and barbecue. Try The Real Deal Holyfield, topped with egg, beans, potato and bacon and a pick of your favorite smoked meat, like brisket or pulled pork. Get your order in early—Valentina’s is known for its long lines.
Veracruz All Natural | Multiple locations
If you haven’t already, do yourself a favor and get yourself a taco created by sisters-turned-chefs Reyna and Maritza Vasquez at Veracruz All Natural. The migas taco is renowned at Veracruz, though the El Sancho Taco and El Tradicional Taco provide a ranch of breakfast-inspired options. Don’t skip out on the aguas frescas!
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