MISSOURI — Forbes’ most recent list of billionaires recognizes more than 3,000 billionaires worldwide, an exclusive club that controls nearly $16.1 trillion of the world’s total wealth.
Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, has long been the richest person in Missouri.
However, according to the recently released Forbes 2025 World’s Billionaires List, there appears to be a new frontrunner in the Show Me State.
According to Forbes, Morris’ current net worth is $9.4 billion, placing him 302nd among the world’s billionaires.
Meanwhile, David Steward, the founder of World Wide Technology, has risen to a real-time net worth of $11.4 billion, ranking 213th.
According to data compiled by FOX 2, Steward’s fortune was $7.6 billion last year, ranking him second only to Morris. He’s now worth nearly $4 billion more than last year.
Along with this honor, Forbes recently named Steward the wealthiest Black person in America.
Steward, 73, is the majority owner of World Wide Technology, a systems integrator that he founded in 1990. Over the years, the company has attracted major corporate clients such as Citigroup, Verizon, and the federal government.
In 2019, World Wide Technology’s revenue surpassed $11 billion, making it one of St. Louis’ wealthiest private businesses.
Steward grew up in Clinton, Missouri, approximately 80 miles south of Kansas City. He earned a business degree from Central Missouri State University. His career also includes extensive sales experience with the Missouri Pacific Railroad and FedEx.
According to Forbes, Steward now resides in St. Louis, Missouri, while Morris lives in Springfield.
Several other Missourians from last year’s Forbes billionaire list were also recognized this year, including:
- Pauline MacMillan Keinath ($7.3 billion, 443rd)
- Jim Kavanaugh ($7 billion, 474th)
- Jack Dorsey ($3.9 billion, 929th)
- Rodger Riney & family ($3.9 billion, 929th)
- Robert Clark ($2.9 billion, 1265th)
- David Hoffman ($2 billion, 1763rd)
- Jim McKelvey ($1.6 billion, 2110th)
- Sam Altman ($1.5 billion, 2233rd)