Think there's no way you can become a billionaire?
Arizona's biggest billionaire is self-made. Bruce Halle ranks number 240 on Forbes' new list of the world's billionaires. The 85-year-old Paradise Valley resident launched his tire business with just six tires in a showroom in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Now, he owns Discount Tire Company, the world's largest independent tire and wheel retailer, according to Forbes. His estimated worth is $5.4 billion.
Next Arizonan on the list is 64-year-old Mark Shoen, who has a net worth of $4.7 billion. Forbes lists him as the largest individual shareholder of U-Haul and owner of one of the largest private self-storage operations in the United States. He lives in Phoenix.
Paradise Valley resident Bennett Dorrance has his late grandfather John T. Dorrance to thank for part of his wealth. John T. Dorrance founded Campbell Soup. Bennett Dorrance has also launched business ventures of his own and founded a scholarship program. According to Forbes, the 70-year-old's net worth is $3.1 billion.
Also on the self-made list is John Kapoor, who is the chairman and majority owner of Akorn and Insys Therapeutics, which are both drug companies. The Forbes article said Kapoor moved to the U.S. from India to study pharmaceutical science at the University of Buffalo. The 72-year-old has a net worth of $2.1 billion. He lives in Phoenix.
Tying Kapoor for the 906th spot worldwide is Bob Parsons, the founder of Scottsdale-based GoDaddy. Parsons, 65, is also self-made. He founded the web-hosting company in 1997. He has a net worth of $2 billion.
Arturo Moreno, 69, of Scottsdale, also made the list. He's worth an estimated $1.8 billion. Moreno built part of his fortune in billboard advertising. The Phoenix resident currently owns the L.A. Angels.
The youngest Arizona billionaire to make the list is Peter Sperling, 56, of Phoenix. Sperling is chair of the Apollo Education Group, the parent company of the University of Phoenix. He is worth $1.2 billion.
Tied with Sperling is Stewart Horejsi, 78, who is an investor. According to Forbes, Horejsi splits time between homes in Arizona, Oregon and Barbados.
The final Arizona billionaire on the Forbes list is E. Joe Shoen, 66, who is the brother of Mark Shoen. Joe also made his fortune through the family business U-Haul. He is worth $1.1 billion.
