Our 2010 Haute 100 New York details the accomplishments of the most influential people in the city. Here’s a list of the power couples who made the list. Sometimes two is better than one.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony
INDUSTRY: Entertainment
What Makes Them HAUTE: While she may also have homes in Miami and LA, to us, she will always be Jenny from the Block. She’s worth an estimated $110 million thanks to her box office flicks, album sales, perfumes, and endorsement deals (which include recent contracts with L’Oreal and Gucci). And if that wasn’t enough, J-Lo joined America’s most notorious panel of judges for season ten of “American Idol.” Her husband Marc is the top tropical salsa artist of all time; he’s earned a total of five Grammy Awards and has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.
Mercedes & Sid Richardson Bass
COMPANY: Bass Brothers Enterprises
INDUSTRY: Oil
What Makes Them HAUTE: Sid Richardson Bass, an American investor and billionaire, controls one of the country’s largest privately owned oil companies. He and his philanthropist and socialite wife, Mercedes, split their time between their Texas and New York homes.
Beyoncé Knowles and Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter
INDUSTRY: Music
What Makes Them HAUTE: Together, this music duo makes up one of the wealthiest couples in the entertainment industry. Beyoncé alone was ranked number two on Forbes’ most powerful and influential celebrities in the word, and the number one most powerful musician in the world. At the 2010 Grammys, she made history as the first female artist to earn a whopping six Grammys in the same evening. Likewise, hubby Jay-Z also has broken several industry records. He’s also part owner of the New Jersey Nets and creator of the clothing line Rocawear, which boasts an annual sales of $700 million. The two celebs can’t seem to stay out of the press; earlier this month, it was reported that Beyoncé treated Jay-Z to the world’s most expensive car, a Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport for his 41st birthday.
Eva & Michael Chow
COMPANY: Mr Chow
INDUSTRY: Restaurants
What Makes Them HAUTE: He’s the brains behind the trendy Mr Chow restaurants; she’s by his side lending her creativity to conceive the design of each location. The authentic Chinese cuisine was first introduced in London in 1968, and since then, the famed restaurateur has opened four U.S. locations (Beverly Hills, two in New York City, and Miami), with plans to open his fifth in Las Vegas.
Hillary & Bill Clinton
COMPANY: United States Government
INDUSTRY: Politics
What Makes Them HAUTE: The political husband-and-wife team continues to be active participants in the bettering of the United States and the world. As Secretary of State, Hillary has firmly advocated for peace in the Middle East, introduced the Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative, and pushed for the Senate to sign the New START treaty, an arms reduction agreement with Russia. Husband Bill is also giving back; the widespread charitable donations and calls to action by the William J. Clinton Foundation have led to improving more than 220 million lives worldwide.
Alicia Keys and Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean
INDUSTRY: Music
What Makes Them HAUTE: This musical power couple were married back in July, and welcomed their first child together, son Egypt, in mid October. She became famous for her gorgeous looks and standout voice, but her recent recognition has come with her charitable work, particularly her Keep a Child Alive foundation that provides help to families with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Swizz was nominated for three Grammy Awards in 2010 for producing, and just last month, was named NYU’s first Producer-in-Residence at the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts. As NYU’s newest professor, he will help students in one-on-one sessions, group lectures, and songwriting critique. Swizz has plans to release his next album in 2011, which is fittingly entitled “Haute Living.”
Diane Von Furstenberg and Barry Diller
COMPANY: Diane Von Furstenberg / InterActiveCorp.
INDUSTRY: Fashion / Media
What Makes Them HAUTE: She’s the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and arguably one of the top fashion designers in the world. Von Furstenberg even has one of her famous wrap dresses displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Diller is a media mogul who currently holds the position of chairman of Expedia and InterActiveCorp, which is the parent of internet powerhouses like Match.com, Citysearch, and Ask.com. As of April 2010, their net worth was an estimated $1.2 billion.
Maria-Josée & Henry Kravis
COMPANY: Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them HAUTE: They are one of America’s wealthiest families. He co-founded the private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co (KKR), which currently boasts total assets of approximately $60 billion. She’s a former Canadian newscaster, but now takes an active interest in the NYC community, serving as senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, on the International Advisory Board of the NY Federal Reserve, and is the President of the Museum of Modern Art. Together, the couple is ranked the 25th highest donating individuals, supporting various local and global causes.
Abby & Eli Manning
COMPANY: New York Giants
INDUSTRY: Sports
What Makes Them HAUTE: This Manning brother was destined to be a quarterback; he’s the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, and the younger brother of Peyton Manning, though Eli created his own legacy as well. Now in his seventh season as the Giants’ star quarterback, he is the sixth QB in history to start 100 straight games and just completed his 30th touchdown of the season. His wife Abby and he were college sweethearts; the couple is expecting their first baby this spring.
Loren & JR Ridinger
COMPANY: Market America
INDUSTRY: Internet Commerce
What Makes Them HAUTE: Their online shopping site, Market America has generated more than $2.5 billion in accumulated retail sales. They continue to be ahead of the curve, launching programs like their MA CashBack program. The Ridingers most recently made headlines after they acquired shop.com, the Bill Gates-backed online comparison-shopping engine, whose strengths lie in strong technological advances that will seamlessly facilitate the shopping experience for the customer.
Georgina Chapman and Harvey Weinstein
COMPANY: Marchesa / The Weinstein Company
INDUSTRY: Fashion / Film
What Makes Them HAUTE: He’s known for being the co-founder of Miramax Films, and has been credited as Executive Producer for classic films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He founded The Weinstein Company in 2005 with his brother Bob, which most recently produced the upcoming controversial indie flick Blue Valentine. In 2007, Weinstein wed Chapman, a former model and co-founder of the fashion label Marchesa. The two welcomed their first child together back in August.
Annette & Oscar De la Renta
COMPANY: Oscar de la Renta
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes Them HAUTE: He’s inarguably one of the world’s leading fashion designers. He received the CFDA lifetime achievement award in 1990, and twenty years later, he’s still going strong. His wife Annette is actively involved in various philanthropies and organizations within the community; she serves on the board of the Met, the New York Public Library, the Morgan Library, the Animal Medical Center, and the Engelhard Foundation.
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
COMPANY: Trump Organization / New York Observer
INDUSTRY: Real Estate / Publishing
What Makes Them HAUTE: Ivanka Trump still proves she’s an unstoppable force with her role as Executive VP of Development & Acquisitions at The Trump Organization. In addition to her own jewelry venture, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, the heiress has plans to launch a footwear line, a handbag collection with Mondani, and an outerwear collection in the next few months. Last year Trump wed husband, Jared Kushner, who is heir to the New York Observer.
Click here to see who else made this year’s Haute 100 New York.
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