Top 10 Richest People in Ohio (2025)

Ohio is more than just a heartland state—it’s home to powerful business moguls, sports team owners, and industrial titans who continue to shape the state’s economic and philanthropic landscape. With cities like Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, Ohio has long served as a hub for legacy wealth and modern innovation.

Here are the Top 10 Richest People in Ohio in 2025, based on verified data from Forbes, Bloomberg, and local business sources.

1. Les Wexner – $6.2 Billion

Source of Wealth: Retail (L Brands, Victoria’s Secret)
Residence: New Albany, OH

Founder of L Brands, the parent company of Victoria’s Secret and Bath & Body Works, Wexner transformed Columbus into a retail capital. Though he stepped down from leadership roles, his investments and real estate holdings continue to grow.

2. Clay Mathile (Estate & Family) – $3.1 Billion

Source of Wealth: Pet Food (Iams Company)
Residence: Dayton, OH

The late Clay Mathile built Iams into a global pet food brand and sold it to Procter & Gamble. His family remains among the wealthiest in Ohio, with ongoing philanthropic efforts and business interests.

3. Denise York & Family – $2.7 Billion

Source of Wealth: Sports (San Francisco 49ers, Real Estate)
Residence: Youngstown, OH (legacy ties)

Though her NFL operations are based in California, Denise York and the DeBartolo family still maintain deep roots in Youngstown. The family made its fortune in real estate and sports, particularly through the San Francisco 49ers.

4. Randall J. Markus (Markus Family) – $2.3 Billion

Source of Wealth: Real Estate, Healthcare Investments
Residence: Cleveland, OH

Part of the Markus family dynasty, Randall is a real estate and healthcare investor who controls major portfolios in Northeast Ohio. He is also a silent partner in biotech and clean energy ventures.

5. Jeffrey Wadsworth – $1.5 Billion

Source of Wealth: Science, Innovation, Oak Ridge/Research Management
Residence: Columbus, OH

Former CEO of Battelle Memorial Institute, Wadsworth guided one of the largest research institutions in the U.S., helping it spin off multiple defense, energy, and health ventures. He is a top figure in science policy and innovation funding.

6. August Troendle – $1.3 Billion

Source of Wealth: Pharma Services (Medpace Holdings)
Residence: Cincinnati, OH

Troendle is the CEO and founder of Medpace, a clinical contract research company. The firm went public in 2016 and has consistently delivered strong returns, making him one of Cincinnati’s wealthiest individuals.

7. James “Jimmy” Haslam III – $1.2 Billion

Source of Wealth: Pilot Flying J, NFL (Cleveland Browns Owner)
Residence: Cleveland, OH

Haslam is CEO of Pilot Flying J, one of America’s largest truck stop chains, and owner of the Cleveland Browns. His sports and fuel empire puts him among Ohio’s most visible billionaires.

8. Nancy Lerner – $1.1 Billion

Source of Wealth: Inheritance, Banking (MBNA)
Residence: Cleveland, OH

Lerner inherited part of the MBNA banking fortune. She is active in philanthropy and manages family trust assets across finance, art, and education.

9. Norma Lerner – $1.0 Billion

Source of Wealth: MBNA (Co-founder’s Widow)
Residence: Cleveland, OH

Widow of MBNA co-founder Alfred Lerner, Norma is a major figure in Cleveland’s philanthropic circles, especially in healthcare and Jewish community development.

10. Dan Gilbert – $950 Million

Source of Wealth: Quicken Loans (Rocket Mortgage), NBA (Cavaliers)
Residence: Detroit, MI (but maintains significant real estate in Ohio)

While based in Michigan, Gilbert’s deep investments in Cleveland real estate and ownership of the Cleveland Cavaliers secure his spot on Ohio’s financial map.

Summary Table

Final Thoughts

Ohio’s wealthiest citizens reflect a unique mix of Midwestern entrepreneurship, industrial legacy, and modern innovation. From sports to science, these individuals are not only among the richest in the state—they are major drivers of economic impact, philanthropy, and national enterprise.