News Summary
Nine individuals from Massachusetts have been named in the Forbes 400 list for 2025, with their total combined wealth reaching an unprecedented $6.6 trillion. Abigail Johnson leads the Massachusetts group with a net worth of $35 billion, ranking 27th overall in the U.S. The wealth of these billionaires showcases a substantial increase driven largely by rising stock prices and advancements in technology, notably artificial intelligence.
Boston, Massachusetts — Nine individuals from Massachusetts have secured their places in the prestigious Forbes 400 list for 2025, which showcases the wealthiest people in the United States. The total combined wealth of those on this year’s list has reached a staggering $6.6 trillion, marking a record high and a significant increase of $1.2 trillion from the previous year.
The individual at the top of the Massachusetts list is Abigail Johnson, the CEO and chairman of Fidelity Investments, whose net worth has escalated from $29 billion in 2024 to $35 billion in 2025. This increase has catapulted her to the 27th position overall in the country. Abigail Johnson and her family hold substantial stakes in Fidelity Investments, reflecting the family’s strong influence in the financial sector.
Coming in second among Massachusetts billionaires is Abigail’s brother, Edward Johnson IV, president of Pembroke Real Estate, with a net worth of $14.2 billion, placing him at 76th overall. The third richest individual from the state is Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots, who has a net worth of $13.8 billion, ranking him 78th in the country. Kraft’s acquisition of the Patriots in 1994, which cost him $172 million, has proved to be a lucrative investment, as the team is currently valued at about $9 billion.
Following Kraft, Elizabeth Johnson, another sibling, ranks fourth in Massachusetts billionaires with a net worth of $12.3 billion, securing the 99th position overall. Robert Hale Jr., the founder and CEO of Granite Telecommunications, is fifth, possessing a net worth of $6 billion. Hale is also noted for being a co-owner of the Boston Celtics and has a strong philanthropic footprint, having donated over $400 million to charitable causes.
Next on the list, Jim Davis, chairman of New Balance, ranks sixth with a net worth of $5.2 billion, a decrease from $6.5 billion last year. Phillip “Terry” Ragon, founder of InterSystems, and Alan Trefler, CEO of Pegasystems, are in seventh and eighth place respectively, both with net worths of $4.2 billion. Rounding out the Massachusetts billionaires is Amos Hostetter Jr., co-founder of Continental Cablevision and founder of the Barr Foundation, with a net worth of $3.5 billion.
Forbes states that a net worth of $1.7 billion is now required to make it onto the Forbes 400, a considerable drop from the $3.8 billion required to enter the upper half of the list. The reasons behind the impressive wealth growth among U.S. billionaires, including those from Massachusetts, largely stem from increasing stock prices and advancements in the technology sector, particularly in artificial intelligence.
At the very top of the entire Forbes 400 list, Elon Musk leads with a net worth of $428 billion, followed closely by high-profile names such as Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos. The wealth of the Massachusetts billionaires not only emphasizes their personal achievements but also reflects a broader pattern of wealth concentration among the richest individuals across the nation.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Boston.com
- Wikipedia: Wealth Inequality in the United States
- CBS News
- Google Search: Forbes 2025 list
- MassLive
- Google Scholar: Wealth Distribution in Massachusetts
- NBC Boston
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Forbes
- Patch
- Google News: Massachusetts billionaires
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.
