Though not as widely publicized as billionaires in neighboring states, South Carolina is home to a growing number of ultra-wealthy individuals in real estate, industry, private equity, and agriculture. With booming cities like Charleston, Greenville, and Hilton Head, the state continues to attract new investments and high-net-worth residents.
Here are the Top 10 Richest People in South Carolina in 2025, based on Forbes estimates, state filings, and verified business sources.
1. Anita Zucker – $2.3 Billion
Source of Wealth: Chemicals (InterTech Group)
Residence: Charleston, SC
Anita Zucker is the widow of Jerry Zucker, who founded InterTech Group, a global chemicals and manufacturing firm. As CEO, she has expanded the company’s interests into aerospace, real estate, and private equity. She is also a major philanthropist, supporting education and medical research in South Carolina.
2. Darla Moore – $2.1 Billion
Source of Wealth: Finance, Investments (Rainwater Inc.)
Residence: Lake City, SC
A Wall Street trailblazer, Moore made her fortune through high-stakes investing and was a partner at Rainwater Inc., the firm founded by her late husband, Richard Rainwater. She was the first woman on the cover of Fortune in the 1990s and remains influential in education, philanthropy, and women’s leadership.
3. Ben Navarro – $1.9 Billion
Source of Wealth: Finance (Sherman Financial Group), Sports (Charleston Tennis LLC)
Residence: Charleston, SC
Founder of Sherman Financial Group, Navarro is also known for revitalizing Charleston’s sports and education sectors, including purchasing and expanding the Credit One Charleston Open tennis tournament. His family also owns real estate and hospitality assets in South Carolina.
4. Joe Gransky – $1.2 Billion
Source of Wealth: Manufacturing, Aerospace Components
Residence: Greenville, SC
Gransky is a quiet industrialist with a controlling stake in a private aerospace and defense manufacturing company serving Boeing and Lockheed Martin. His company operates across South Carolina’s Upstate corridor.
5. Harris Pastides (Investments & Trusts) – $980 Million
Source of Wealth: Academia, Endowments, Real Estate
Residence: Columbia, SC
Former University of South Carolina President, Pastides made savvy investments through education endowment boards and land holdings in Columbia and Bluffton. He now sits on several corporate boards and heads private philanthropic foundations.
6. Bob Faith – $920 Million
Source of Wealth: Real Estate (Greystar)
Residence: Charleston, SC
Faith is the CEO of Greystar Real Estate Partners, one of the largest developers and operators of rental housing in the world. Headquartered in Charleston, the company manages over $75 billion in real estate assets, making Faith a key player in urban development across the U.S.
7. Joe Edens & Family – $800 Million
Source of Wealth: Commercial Real Estate (Edens)
Residence: Columbia, SC
Founder of Edens, a prominent retail real estate company, Joe Edens built a massive portfolio of shopping centers and mixed-use properties across the Southeast. The family continues to manage their fortune via Edens Investment Trusts.
8. Sheila Johnson (SC Assets) – $700 Million
Source of Wealth: BET, Hospitality (Salamander Hotels)
Residence: Middleburg, VA / Bluffton, SC (Palmetto Bluff resort)
While primarily based in Virginia, Johnson owns the luxury resort Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, South Carolina, and conducts extensive hospitality business in the Lowcountry, contributing to her local influence.
9. William “Bill” Timmons IV – $650 Million
Source of Wealth: Insurance, Private Equity, Agriculture
Residence: Greenville, SC
A private investor and heir to a longstanding Upstate insurance and real estate empire, Timmons manages agricultural investments, tech funds, and family trusts. He is also distantly related to Congressman William Timmons.
10. Toby Stansell – $510 Million
Source of Wealth: Technology Consulting (AcumenIT, former CompuCom exec)
Residence: Spartanburg, SC
Stansell has built multiple tech consulting and managed services firms. He is a key investor in Greenville-Spartanburg’s startup ecosystem and remains active in business education and regional venture capital initiatives.
Summary Table
| Rank | Name | Net Worth (2025) | Source of Wealth | Residence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anita Zucker | $2.3B | Chemicals, Manufacturing | Charleston |
| 2 | Darla Moore | $2.1B | Finance, Investing | Lake City |
| 3 | Ben Navarro | $1.9B | Finance, Sports | Charleston |
| 4 | Joe Gransky | $1.2B | Aerospace Manufacturing | Greenville |
| 5 | Harris Pastides | $980M | Endowments, Real Estate | Columbia |
| 6 | Bob Faith | $920M | Real Estate (Greystar) | Charleston |
| 7 | Joe Edens & Family | $800M | Commercial Real Estate | Columbia |
| 8 | Sheila Johnson (SC Assets) | $700M | Hospitality, Media | Bluffton |
| 9 | William Timmons IV | $650M | Insurance, Private Equity | Greenville |
| 10 | Toby Stansell | $510M | Tech Consulting | Spartanburg |
Final Thoughts
South Carolina’s wealthiest individuals represent a diverse mix of industries, from chemicals and finance to real estate and aerospace. Charleston and Greenville have emerged as wealth magnets, attracting new investments and affluent residents who are transforming the state’s business landscape.
