NC is home to 11 billionaires, and 2 live in Charlotte. Who are they?

Two billionaires with Charlotte ties are among the world’s wealthiest people, according to Forbes.

The businessmen had a combined net worth of about $3 billion as of Tuesday, March 24, both earning a spot on this year’s World Billionaires List. The 2026 cohort features more than 3,400 entrepreneurs, investors and heirs.

“The U.S. has the most billionaires, with a record 989, including 15 of the top 20,” Forbes editors wrote. China, including Hong Kong, wasn’t far behind with 610, and India ranked third at 229.

The billionaires who call Charlotte home amassed their fortunes from two major industries: Coca-Cola bottling and media. Here’s what to know about them:

J. Frank Harrison III & family

• Net worth: $2 billion
• Age: 71
• Source of wealth: Coca-Cola bottling
• Rank: No. 2,052 in the world

J. Frank Harrison leads Coca-Cola Consolidated, “the largest independent Coca-Cola bottler in the U.S.,” according to Forbes. The bottling company employs over 16,000 people, including around 2,000 in Charlotte, The Charlotte Observer reported in 2018.

The longtime chairman joined the company in 1977 and later succeeded his father, J. Frank Harrison, Jr., as CEO in 1994.

Ric Elias

• Net worth: $1 billion
• Age: 58
• Source of wealth: Media
• Rank: No. 3,332 in the world

Elias is the CEO and co-founder of Red Ventures. The digital media company owns several brands including Bankrate, Lonely Planet and The Points Guy.

In 2021, the billionaire businessman and his wife, Brenda, signed The Giving Pledge announcing their intention to donate a large chunk of their wealth to philanthropic initiatives, The Charlotte Observer reported. Elias has also been recognized for his service in the Charlotte community through his nonprofit Golden Door Scholars, which provides scholarships and mentorship to undocumented students.

Who are the richest people in NC?

North Carolina is home to 11 billionaires whose combined net worths amount to more than $37 billion, according to Forbes’ latest report. That’s over 500 times the median household income in North Carolina ($73,958), the latest census data shows.

These are the state’s nine other billionaires (including eight in the Raleigh area) on Forbes’ list:

• James Goodnight: $12.6 billion net worth; Cary; SAS Institute
• John Sall: $6.1 billion networth; Cary; SAS Institute
• Tim Sweeney: $5.1 billion net worth; Cary; Epic Games
• Roy Carroll II: $2.6 billion net worth; Greensboro; Carroll Companies
• Dennis Gillings: $2.2 billion net worth; Durham; IQVIA
• Olivia Holding: $1.5 billion; Raleigh; First Citizens Bank
• Carson Brice: $1.4 billion; Raleigh; First Citizens Bank
• Claire Bristow: $1.4 billion; Raleigh First Citizens Bank
• Frank Holding Jr.: $1.2 billion net worth; Raleigh; First Citizens Bank

Who are the richest people in America?

These U.S. billionaires ranked among the top 10 wealthiest people in the nation, according to Forbes:

1. Elon Musk: $838 billion net worth; Texas; Tesla/SpaceX
2. Larry Page: $257 billion net worth; California; Google
3. Sergey Brin: $237 billion net worth; California; Google
4. Jeff Bezos: $224 billion net worth; Florida; Amazon
5. Mark Zuckerberg: $222 billion net worth; California; Facebook
6. Larry Ellison: $190 billion net worth; Florida; Oracle
7. Jensen Huang: $154 billion net worth; California; semiconductors
8. Warren Buffett: $149 billion net worth; Nebraska; Berkshire Hathaway
9. Rob Walton & family: $146 billion net worth; Arkansas; Walmart
10. Jim Walton & family: $143 billion net worth; Arkansas; Walmart

How Forbes compiled its list

For its annual billionaires list, the outlet looked at stock prices and exchange rates from Sunday, March 1, offering a snapshot of the world’s wealthiest people. Individuals were listed rather than families who share their wealth across generations.

Forbes said several factors were considered in the rankings, including private companies, real estate art and other assets.

“We don’t pretend to know each billionaire’s private balance sheet (though some provide it),” editors wrote. Individuals who didn’t offer documentation had their fortunes discounted.

This story was originally published March 26, 2026 at 8:06 AM.

Tanasia Kenney

Sun Herald

Tanasia is a service journalism reporter at the Charlotte Observer | CharlotteFive, working remotely from Atlanta, Georgia. She covers restaurant openings/closings in Charlotte and statewide explainers for the NC Service Journalism team. She’s been with McClatchy since 2020.