These Washington billionaires are some of the richest in the country for 2025
Washington state is the home of Microsoft, Amazon and other global brands, plus storied sports teams, iconic landmarks and natural wonders — and it’s also home to six of the 400 richest people in the U.S., according to a new list by Forbes.
Most, if not all, of the Washington billionaires on the list are likely familiar names.
They live in and around Seattle, and they have a combined net worth of more than $340 billion, per Forbes. To put that in perspective, their combined wealth is more than four times the state’s roughly $78 billion operating budget for 2025-27.
In all, the 400 people on the list are worth $6.6 trillion, according to Forbes, which published its list in September and used interviews, financial and legal documents, news reports and more to determine the ranking, it said.
Of the Washingtonians on the list, the highest-placed cracked the top 10 at No. 7.
Here’s a look at the richest people living in Washington as of Sept. 1, according to Forbes:
Steve Ballmer
The former Microsoft chief executive officer and the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers lives in Hunts Point, Forbes reported. Hunts Point is about a 9-mile drive northeast from Seattle.
- Net worth: $153 billion
- Age: 69
- Rank: Seventh richest in the U.S.
Bill Gates
The cofounder of Microsoft and chairman of The Gates Foundation lives in Medina, per Forbes. Medina is just south of Hunt’s Point.
- Net worth: $107 billion
- Age: 69
- Rank: 14th richest in the U.S.
MacKenzie Scott
The philanthropist, writer and former wife of Jeff Bezos lives in Seattle, Forbes said.
- Net worth: $33.9 billion
- Age: 55
- Rank: 28th richest in the U.S.
Melinda French Gates
The founder of Pivotal Ventures and former wife of Bill Gates lives in Seattle, according to Forbes.
- Net worth: $29 billion
- Age: 61
- Rank: 33rd richest in the U.S.
Gabe Newell
The cofounder and CEO of the video game developer Valve Corporation lives in Seattle, Forbes reported.
- Net worth: $11 billion
- Age: 62
- Rank: 109th richest in the U.S.
Charles Simonyi
The early employee of Microsoft and founder of Intentional Software lives in Medina, according to Forbes.
- Net worth: $8.4 billion
- Age: 77
- Rank: 163rd richest in the U.S.
This story was originally published October 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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