Delaware missed out on the 2023 World’s Billionaires List compiled by Forbes, as no billionaires live in the First State, but the wealthiest Delawareans may still pique your interest.
In their updated 2023 ranking of the top 10 wealthiest Delawareans, USA By Numbers includes Robert W. Gore, a famous entrepreneur and inventor who ran the family-owned W. L. Gore & Associates and invented Gore-Tex, one of more than 7,000 patents held by the family company and is widely used in outdoor clothing and footwear.
His fortune was listed at $885 million before he died in September 2020 at 83 years old.
From actors to musicians to entrepreneurs, the remaining nine richest First Staters on their list are as follows:
Chuck Wicks, $2 million
Born and raised in Smyrna, Chuck Wicks is a country artist and radio personality clocking in with a fortune of $2 million.
He starred in reality TV show “Nashville” in 2007 before it was canceled, is an alumnus of ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” and is the cohost of “Ty, Kelly and Chuck,” a nationally syndicated radio show.
Daniel Pfeiffer, $3.3 million
Daniel Pfeiffer, from Wilmington, served as senior adviser to President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2015.
Pfeiffer’s $3.3 million in holdings also comes from his author and podcast host endeavors. He co-hosts Pod Save America and is the author of Message Box newsletter,
Edward Breen, $4.6 million
Although Edward Breen was born in Grove City, Pennsylvania, his reach into the First State has run deep for years.
Breen’s $4.6 million fortune is bolstered by his tenure as executive chairman of DuPont and his former stint as the director of Comcast and the chairman and CEO of Tyco, according to Forbes.
Jeffry Householder, $4.9 million
Coming in at $4.9 million, Jeffry Householder is the president and CEO of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation, a title he has held since January 2019.
He served as president of Florida Public Utilities Company from 2010 to 2018 and held leaderships positions with TECO Energy Peoples Gas, Florida City Gas, West Florida Gas Company and Tallahassee Utilities.
Householder is a member on the boards of the American Gas Association, the Edison Electric Institute and the Southern Gas Association, as well as the Delaware Business Roundtable.
Aubrey Plaza, $6 million
You might know her from your favorite sitcom, hit HBO show or recent runs on the big screen. Either way, we’re not surprised to see this stream queen among the list of the wealthiest Delawareans with a $6 million in tow.
Aubrey Plaza, a Wilmington native, is an actress and comedian best known for “Parks and Recreation,” “The White Lotus” on HBO – which gained her a Golden Globe nomination last fall and an Emmy nomination this month – and her latest film, “Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre.”
Plaza is slated to star in “Agatha: Coven of Chaos,” a Marvel Cinematic Universe series spun off “WandaVision” and tentatively planned for later this year on Disney+.
Mark Vergnano, $19.3 million
Mark Vergnano is the fourth wealthiest Delawarean with $19.3 million.
Vergnano is the retired chairman of the board of directors for the Chemours Company and previously served as the company’s president and CEO upon its initial spinoff from DuPont in July 2015 until July 2021.
He holds various leadership positions at the University of Connecticut, his alma mater,
Elizabeth Shue, $20 million
Born in Wilmington, Elizabeth Shue is an actress with a repertoire of 1980s nostalgia.
With a $20 million fortune, her film credits include “Leaving Las Vegas,” “The Karate Kid,” movies in the “Back to the Future” franchise, “Cobra Kai,” “Piranha 3D,” Adventures in Babysitting” and more.
Ryan Phillipe, $30 million
With $30 million in his treasure chest, New Castle-born Ryan Phillipe is a well-known actor sure to have graced your screens plenty of times over the years.
Phillippe has starred in 1990s hit movies like “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Cruel Intentions,” and other appearances like “Crimson Tide” and soap opera “One Life.”
You might also be familiar with the Phillipe name due to his early marriage with fellow actor Reese Witherspoon.
Elizabeth Snyder, $900 million
Rounding out the list of wealthiest Delawareans is Elizabeth Snyder with $900 million, according to Forbes.
Snyder, of Wilmington, is the daughter of Wilbert and Genevieve Gore and inherited her fortune from W. L. Gore & Associates, which her family founded.
Got a tip or a story idea? Contact Krys’tal Griffin atkgriffin@delawareonline.com.
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