Top 10 Richest People in Virginia (2025)

Virginia is known for its powerful presence in defense, technology, real estate, and politics. Home to parts of the D.C. metro area, Virginia attracts a high concentration of ultra-wealthy individuals with deep ties to federal contracts, investment firms, and high-tech enterprises.

Here are the Top 10 Richest People in Virginia in 2025, based on Forbes data, SEC filings, and local business sources.

1. Jacqueline Mars – $39.6 Billion

Source of Wealth: Candy, Pet Care (Mars Inc.)
Residence: The Plains, VA

As an heiress to Mars Inc., the global confectionery and pet care giant, Jacqueline Mars is Virginia’s richest resident. She owns about one-third of the company and is heavily involved in equestrian philanthropy and historic preservation.

2. Steve Case – $4.7 Billion

Source of Wealth: Technology, AOL, Venture Capital
Residence: McLean, VA

Steve Case co-founded AOL, one of the earliest internet giants. He now leads Revolution LLC, a venture capital firm investing in startups across America’s “rise of the rest” movement. Case is also active in economic and civic development in the D.C.–Virginia corridor.

3. William Conway Jr. – $4.2 Billion

Source of Wealth: Private Equity (The Carlyle Group)
Residence: McLean, VA

A co-founder of The Carlyle Group, one of the world’s largest private equity firms, Conway is a significant figure in global finance. He also funds scholarships and Catholic education initiatives in Virginia and beyond.

4. Daniel D’Aniello – $2 Billion

Source of Wealth: Private Equity (The Carlyle Group)
Residence: Alexandria, VA

Another co-founder of The Carlyle Group, D’Aniello is also a major donor to conservative think tanks and Syracuse University, his alma mater. He remains influential in Washington D.C. economic circles.

5. Ted Leonsis – $2 Billion

Source of Wealth: Sports, Media, Technology
Residence: Potomac Falls, VA

Former AOL executive and owner of Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Leonsis owns the Washington Capitals (NHL) and Washington Wizards (NBA). He also invests in media startups and regional tech ventures.

6. Wynnewood “Wyn” Foster – $980 Million

Source of Wealth: Defense Contracting (Private Equity, Aerospace)
Residence: Great Falls, VA

Foster is a quiet but powerful investor in defense and aerospace startups across Northern Virginia. He holds key stakes in logistics and surveillance technologies used by U.S. defense agencies.

7. Robert Pence – $860 Million

Source of Wealth: Real Estate (The Pence Group)
Residence: Fairfax County, VA

Pence built a commercial real estate empire in Northern Virginia, owning large shopping centers and office parks. He’s a long-time supporter of George Mason University and other state institutions.

8. Sheila Johnson – $820 Million

Source of Wealth: Media (BET), Hospitality (Salamander Hotels), Sports
Residence: Middleburg, VA

Co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, Johnson also owns stakes in multiple sports teams. She’s a trailblazer among African-American female entrepreneurs in the U.S.

9. Matt Calkins – $750 Million

Source of Wealth: Software (Appian Corp.)
Residence: Arlington, VA

Calkins is the founder and CEO of Appian, a cloud computing company specializing in low-code automation platforms. He’s one of Virginia’s most prominent modern tech entrepreneurs.

10. J.W. “Bill” Marriott Jr. – $700 Million

Source of Wealth: Hospitality (Marriott International)
Residence: Arlington, VA (partial)

Though semi-retired and primarily based in Maryland, Bill Marriott has long-time residential and business interests in Northern Virginia, where Marriott maintains corporate functions and real estate assets.

Summary Table

Final Thoughts

Virginia’s richest individuals reflect the state’s economic strengths: defense, media, tech, finance, and real estate. With close ties to Washington D.C., many of these billionaires are also deeply involved in philanthropy, policy, and national economic strategy.