Boston, September 15, 2025
News Summary
The 2025 ranking of the 400 wealthiest Americans shows nine billionaires from Massachusetts with a combined net worth of $98.4 billion. Abigail Johnson, CEO of Fidelity Investments, ranks highest among them at $35 billion, reflecting a strong rise from the previous year. Overall, the top 400 collectively reached $6.6 trillion, marking a significant increase attributed to stock market performance and technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence.
Boston — The 2025 ranking of the 400 wealthiest Americans includes nine individuals from Massachusetts, whose combined net worth is approximately $98.4 billion, placing the state among the more heavily represented in the national list. The list also shows a record total net worth for the 400 richest Americans at $6.6 trillion, up by $1.2 trillion from the previous year.
Top-level findings
The highest-ranked person from Massachusetts is Abigail Johnson, chief executive officer and chairman of Fidelity Investments, with a reported net worth of $35 billion, up from $31 billion the year before and moving her into the top 30 nationally. The Johnson family as a whole continues to be the dominant wealth presence in Massachusetts listings.
Who else from Massachusetts made the list
Leading Massachusetts figures
- Abigail Johnson — Net worth: $35.0 billion; highest-ranked Massachusetts resident on the list (moved up from last year).
- Edward Johnson IV — Net worth: $14.2 billion; president of Pembroke Real Estate.
- Robert Kraft — Net worth: $13.8 billion; owner of the New England Patriots, a franchise purchased in 1994 for $172 million and now valued at about $9 billion.
- Elizabeth Johnson — Net worth: $12.3 billion; member of the Johnson family, holds a 9.56% stake in FMR and is founder of Louisburg Farm, a show-jumping horse stable in Florida.
- Robert Hale Jr. — Net worth: $6.0 billion; chief executive officer of Granite Telecommunications and co-owner of the Boston Celtics, with philanthropic giving reported in excess of $400 million over time.
- Jim Davis — Net worth: $5.2 billion; chairman of New Balance, down from $6.5 billion the previous year.
- Phillip “Terry” Ragon — Net worth: $4.2 billion; founder of InterSystems Corp. (tied seventh among Massachusetts billionaires).
- Alan Trefler — Net worth: $4.2 billion; founder of Pegasystems Inc. (tied seventh among Massachusetts billionaires).
- Amos Hostetter Jr. — Net worth: $3.5 billion; former cable television pioneer and co-founder of Continental Cablevision, listed as the ninth Massachusetts billionaire on the roster.
Supporting details and context
The combined net worth of the nine Massachusetts individuals totals about $98.4 billion, just under $100 billion. Wealth increases for many on the list were attributed to strong stock market performance and gains related to advances in artificial intelligence and other technology sectors. The overall ranking for the 400 wealthiest Americans reached a record collective value of $6.6 trillion, an increase of $1.2 trillion from the prior year’s total.
Shifts and notable movements
Abigail Johnson’s jump in net worth and national rank represents the most prominent movement among Massachusetts residents. Several others saw smaller gains or modest declines; for example, Jim Davis’ reported net worth declined compared with the prior year. Two founders in the state tied in net worth, reflecting similar valuations for privately held or publicly traded company stakes.
Notable exclusions and residency considerations
Some wealthy individuals associated with Massachusetts businesses or sports franchises are not counted as Massachusetts residents for the purposes of the list because their primary residence is in another state. One prominent owner of local sports and media assets is listed as a resident of another state and therefore is not included among Massachusetts-based billionaires, despite an estimated net worth in the mid-single-digit billions.
Implications and background
The concentration of wealth among a relatively small number of families and founders reflects long-term ownership of financial services, technology, manufacturing and sports franchises. The dominance of a multi-generational family tied to a major investment firm remains a defining feature of the state’s presence on the national wealth list. Broader market dynamics — including equities performance and sector-specific technology gains — were cited as key drivers behind the year-over-year increase in aggregate wealth among the nation’s top 400 wealth holders.
FAQ
- How many people from Massachusetts are on the 2025 list of the 400 wealthiest Americans?
- Nine individuals from Massachusetts are included on the 2025 list.
- Who is the wealthiest person from Massachusetts on the list?
- The wealthiest person from Massachusetts on the list is Abigail Johnson, with a reported net worth of $35 billion in 2025.
- What is the combined net worth of the Massachusetts individuals on the list?
- The nine Massachusetts individuals have a combined net worth of about $98.4 billion.
- What caused the increase in total wealth among the 400 richest Americans?
- The increase in total wealth was attributed to strong stock market performance and gains associated with technological advances, including developments related to artificial intelligence.
- Why are some wealthy, locally known owners not listed as Massachusetts billionaires?
- Residency is a factor in the list’s state attribution; individuals who are considered residents of other states are not counted as Massachusetts billionaires even if they own major local assets.
Summary table of Massachusetts billionaires on the 2025 list
| Massachusetts Rank | Name | Primary Role / Company | Reported Net Worth (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abigail Johnson | CEO & Chairman, Fidelity Investments | $35.0 billion | Moved up in national ranking from prior year |
| 2 | Edward Johnson IV | President, Pembroke Real Estate | $14.2 billion | Member of the Johnson family |
| 3 | Robert Kraft | Owner, New England Patriots | $13.8 billion | Patriots valued at about $9 billion |
| 4 | Elizabeth Johnson | FMR stakeholder; founder, Louisburg Farm | $12.3 billion | Holds 9.56% stake in FMR |
| 5 | Robert Hale Jr. | CEO, Granite Telecommunications; co-owner, Boston Celtics | $6.0 billion | Significant philanthropic donations reported |
| 6 | Jim Davis | Chairman, New Balance | $5.2 billion | Net worth decreased from prior year |
| 7 (tie) | Phillip “Terry” Ragon | Founder, InterSystems Corp. | $4.2 billion | Tied position among state billionaires |
| 7 (tie) | Alan Trefler | Founder, Pegasystems Inc. | $4.2 billion | Tied position among state billionaires |
| 9 | Amos Hostetter Jr. | Co-founder, Continental Cablevision | $3.5 billion | Listed as the ninth Massachusetts billionaire |
| Combined total (nine individuals) | $98.4 billion | |||
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Johnson Family Declared Richest in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Residents Among Forbes’ 400 Richest Americans
Massachusetts Business Landscape Faces Disruption
Josh Kraft Accuses Mayor Michelle Wu of False Claims
Super PAC Backs Josh Kraft Against Mayor Wu in Boston
May Day Rally in Boston Advocates for Workers’ Rights
Nationwide ‘Hands Off’ Protests Mobilize Voices Across America
Exploring Massachusetts’ Diverse Real Estate Market
Forbes Snyder Expands Operations to Fort Myers, Florida
Boston Celebrates Nine Local Billionaires in Forbes List
Additional Resources
- MassLive: Richest People in Massachusetts
- Wikipedia: Abigail Johnson
- CBS News: Forbes 400 List 2025
- Google Search: 2025 Forbes list Massachusetts
- NBC Boston: Richest People in Massachusetts
- Google Scholar: Wealth Distribution in Massachusetts
- Boston.com: Massachusetts Residents on Forbes List
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Forbes
- The Sun Chronicle: Robert Kraft Among Richest
- Google News: Robert Kraft Richest People Massachusetts
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
