Mo’ money

5 Austin billionaires bank spots on Forbes list of richest people in the world

Michael Dell is one of the richest men in the world.

Photo by Julie Skarratt Photography Inc.

Austin billionaire Michael Dell keeps ascending the hierarchy of the world’s richest people. New data from Forbes magazine pegs the founder, chairman, and CEO of the Round Rock tech company bearing his name, as the 25th richest person in the world. That’s up 14 spots from 2018.

While that climb is impressive, what’s even more impressive is how much wealth Dell gained in just one year. In March 2019, Forbes estimated his net worth at $34.3 billion, up about 50 percent from $22.7 billion in March 2018. Between March 2015 ($19.2 billion) and March 2019, his net worth soared 80 percent, according to Forbes.

Dell is joined by four other Austinites in the world’s billionaires club.

Private equity investor Robert Smith appears at No. 355 among the world’s richest people, with a net worth of $5 billion. At No. 504 in the world is vodka mogul Bert “Tito” Beveridge, whose net worth is estimated at $4 billion. Also in the top 1,000 globally are Austin software titan Joseph Liemandt (No. 745, $3 billion) and hair care and tequila king John Paul DeJoria, (No. 916, $2.5 billion).

As eye-popping as Dell's numbers are, he isn't even the richest person in Texas. That title goes to Walmart heiress Alice Walton of Fort Worth, whose fortune is estimated at $44.4 billion. Forbes ranks her as the world’s 17th richest person and second richest woman.

Other Texans on Forbes’ 2019 list of the world’s richest people include:

Andy Beal of Dallas, No. 158, net worth of $9.1 billion.
Jerry Jones of Dallas, No. 224, net worth of $6.8 billion.
Richard Kinder of Houston, No. 239, net worth of $6.6 billion.
Dannine Avara of Houston, No. 290, net worth of $5.9 billion.
Scott Duncan of Houston, No. 290, net worth of $5.9 billion.
Milane Frantz of Houston, No. 290, net worth of $5.9 billion.
Randa Williams of Houston, No. 290, net worth of $5.9 billion.
Robert Rowling of Dallas, No. 334, net worth of $5.3 billion.
Robert Bass of Fort Worth, No. 365, net worth of $4.9 billion.
Tilman Fertitta of Houston, No. 394, net worth of $4.7 billion.
Ray Lee Hunt of Dallas, No. 394, net worth of $4.7 billion.
Trevor Rees-Jones of Dallas, No. 452, net worth of $4.3 billion.
Mark Cuban of Dallas, No. 478, net worth of $4.1 billion.
H. Ross Perot Sr. of Dallas, No. 478, net worth of $4.1 billion.
Kelcy Warren of Dallas, No. 478, net worth of $4.1 billion.
Dan Friedkin of Houston, No. 504, net worth of $4 billion.
Janice McNair of Houston, No. 546, net worth of $3.8 billion.

lists rankings

The 'Brothers' Are Back

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson spotted with film crew in Austin

Getty Images

Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson were seen on South Congress Avenue in mid-November.

One of Hollywood's favorite duos, Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson, were spotted on South Congress in mid-November with a camera crew.

Nobody is exactly sure what these two are up to, but that hasn't stopped the rumor mill from churning. Some say it's for their upcoming Apple TV+ series, Brother From Another Mother. It'sa 10-episode comedy that is a "heartfelt odd couple love story," according to The Wrap, quoting an early press release. It takes place on a ranch in Texas, so filming around town would make sense.

South Congress Avenue certainly doesn't look like a ranch, though. The actors looked foppish, Harrelson in an all-maroon suit and shiny leather shoes, and McConaughey in a loud, royal purple patterned shirt.

Another theory was that they were shooting Salesforce ads, and someone in the same thread suggested (without a source) that what they were filming wasn't a narrative feature.

And of course Reddit is doing what it does best:

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey and Harrelson starred together in the first season of True Detective.reddit.com

Reddit discourse about Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson McConaughey said on Access Daily that his mom started the rumor that he and Harrelson are half-brothers.reddit.com

But even though no one knows for sure what the two are doing here, we do have reason to believe that the two real-life best friends and former EDtv and True Detective co-stars are still around. According to an insider, who can't say much because the project is still in the works, the two are "still shooting a bunch of stuff around town," though where they'll be next is a mystery.

And remember, "Time is a flat circle. Everything we have done or will do we will do over and over and over again — forever.” So if you don't catch them this time, sounds like you'll have another chance.

celebrities tv shows