THE HAUTE 100: New York City
21. John Mara and Steve Tisch
What makes them haute: Steve Tisch began as a filmmaker, making a number of successful movies including Risky Business, and producing American History X and Forrest Gump, for which he won an Academy Award. Tisch, son of former Giants owner Bob Tisch, now co-owns the football team, and is the only person ever to win both a Superbowl ring and an Oscar. John Mara, co-owner of the Giants, is a third generation owner.
22. Leonard Stern
What makes him haute: As Chairman and CEO of Hartz Mountain Industry and Hartz Group, Leonard Stern began the Hartz Mountain’s real estate operations in 1966 when he started to purchase land in New Jersey’s Meadowlands. In 1987, the Hartz Mountain Industries subsidiary also completed a 24-story luxury office tower on Madison Avenue, where Hartz Group’s corporate offices moved. Stern is also the founder of Homes for the Homeless, the largest non-profit provider of residential, employment and education training centers in the country.
23. Stephen Allen Schwarzman
What makes him haute: Stephen Schwarzman co-founded private equity and financial advising firm Blackstone Group in 1984 with his partner Peter Peterson. Schwarzman’s current estimated net worth is $5.9 billion, making him the 52nd richest man in America, according to Forbes. He has served as an adjunct professor at Yale University and is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Schwarzman has donated up to $100 million toward the expansion of the New York Public Library and is also a trustee there. He has also earned a place on the Time 100.
24. Billy Rudin
What makes him haute: This power player has a seriously enviable real estate portfolio. He is widely credited for leading the revitalization of downtown New York City and Silicon Alley. He is the chief executive of Rudin Management.
WALLSTREET
25. Jamie Dimon
What makes him haute: As the CEO and Chairman of JP Morgan Chase & Co., Dimon has earned a place on Time Magazine’s list of the World’s 100 Most Influential People four times. He previously served as a Class A director of the Board of Directors of the New York Federal Reserve, a prestigious position that gained him notoriety in the global business and finance world. Dimon was credited with helping JP Morgan Chase repay its TARP funds with supreme speed and efficiency and was even quoted as saying that JP Morgan Chase did not need the bailout money. Since Dimon took over, JP Morgan Chase has become the leading bank in terms of domestic assets under management, publicly traded stock value and market capitalization value
26. Steven Schonfeld
What makes him haute: Steven Schonfeld founded trading and investing firm Schonfeld Group Holdings LLC, of which he is Chairman and CEO, in 1988. Today he, President Andrew Fishman and Chief Operating Officer Mark Peters run the company. The three lead the company to please clients through dedication, technology and professionalization.
27. Nicolas Berggruen
What makes him haute: The son of esteemed art collector Heinz Berggruen, Nicolas Berggruen founded and is president of private investment firm Berggruen Holdings. While he and his family have achieved much to be acknowledged, one of his most known qualities is that he doesn’t own a home, but moves from hotel to hotel instead.
28. Edmond Safra
What makes him haute: Edmond Safra is the nephew of late banking tycoon and namesake uncle Edmond Safra, who died an untimely death in a fire over a decade ago. His wife is MarielleSafra. But Safra is a star in his own right, starting New York-based investment bank Arview Holdings, Inc., which will advise companies with holdings from $50 million to $500 million.
29. Herbert Allen, Jr.
What makes him haute: Herbert Allen, Jr. joined family business, investment boutique Allen & Company, in 1962. Both the firm and Allen – who was named President in 1966 – are notoriously private. Some of Allen’s high profile clients include Bill Gates, Rupert Murdoch, Barry Diller and Oprah Winfrey. Allen also maintains a position on Coca-Cola’s board of directors.
30. Lloyd Blankfein
What makes him Haute: Lloyd Blankfein was appointed CEO and Chairman of Goldman Sachs in 2006 by former CEO Henry Paulson. In 2006, Blankfein was one of the most well paid executives on Wall Street, earning $54.4 million – Goldman Sachs wasn’t far behind, bringing in $9.5 billion that same year in net earnings. In 2009, he was named #18 on Forbes’ “Most Powerful People” list.
31. Leon Black
What makes him haute: Leon Black founded Apollo Management in 1990, which currently manages more than $20 billion in funds. Prior to his time at Apollo, Black was at investment bank Drexel Burnham Lambert. While Apollo took a few hits during the dip in the market, Black continues to do well, with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion.
32. Wilbur Ross
What makes him haute: This billionaire is known for investing in failing companies and restructuring. In 2000 with $440 million, Ross launched WL Ross & Co., a firm that focuses on restructurings, buyouts, turnarounds and consolidations. Ross has a net worth of approximately $1.9 billion.
33. The Santo Domingos
What makes them haute: The Colombian clan is behind the Santo Domingo Group. With a portfolio stretching from Colombian television and radio stations to stake in SABMiller, its no wonder they have seen so much success. The family is frequently donating or hosting charity events.
34. David Tepper
What makes him haute: As founder of Appaloosa Management, David Tepper’s strategy is to buy stocks from companies that are failing; he then reaps the benefits of their recoveries. He has invested in Bank of America, Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft in past years, which account for much of his financial success. A philanthropist, the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University often receives charitable donations from him.
35. Nat Rothschild
What makes him haute: This Brit is the Chairman of “JNR Limited,” a firm focused on investment advisories, and is amongst the largest of its kind worldwide. Rothschild also serves as co-chairman of natural resources group Bumi pic.
36. Carl Icahn
What makes him haute: Carl Icahn serves as the chairman of Icahn Enterprises, a holding company that manages a multitude of investments. Icahn is ranked as the 20th wealthiest American by Forbes. He and his wife give back through a handful of philanthropic efforts including three charter schools in the Bronx and Icahn House East in the New York City. Icahn has an estimated net worth $10.5 billion.
37. Steven Cohen
What makes him haute: As founder of hedge fund SAC Capital Advisors, Cohen boasts a net worth of an estimated $8.3 billion. His interests are varied as well – he is an art collector and has a strong interest in philanthropy, recently contributing $50 million to the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System. Cohen is the 35th richest man in the United States.
38. George Soros
What makes him haute: A Wall Street mogul, Soros is active in many communities, beginning with his hedge fund firm, Soros Fund Management, LLC. On the creative side, he is a prominent author as well as a philanthropist, serving as founder and chairman of The Open Society Institute.
39. Kenneth Langone
What makes him haute: The legendary Kenneth Langone was the former director of the New York Stock Exchange and a financial backer of Home Depot. Today, his focus is on philanthropic efforts. He actively donates to charities including the Robin Hood Foundation and Ronald McDonald House, among others. He is Chairman of the Langone Medical Center at New York University.
40. Bruce Kovner
What makes him haute: As founder and chairman of Caxton Associates, Bruce Kovner sits at the helm of one of the biggest hedge funds in the world, which manages $14 million in funds. The notoriously secretive investor is worth an estimated $4.5 billion.