5. William Gates III

$60 billion

Currently the world’s richest man, at one point, Gates’ fortune was creeping towards the $100 billion mark. Then, as we all know, the DOJ’s Anti-trust case, as well as an overall meltdown in the high-technology market, hurt the Harvard dropout. Today, with a $60 billion fortune, Gates is both hated and loved. Unlike many, he has promised to contribute over 90% of his wealth to charities when the big guy calls his number. We hope this will not be anytime soon, as he and his wife Melinda French Gates run the world’s largest philanthropic association. 

4. John Jacob Astor (1763-184

$85 billion

Adjusted for time, Astor, “the Self-Made Money-Making Machine’s” fortune would rank at roughly $85 billion in 2001. Despite never setting a trap himself, the German-born Astor became synonymous with the American Fur Trade. Along many others, Astor symbolizes the American Dream, as he rose from obscurity to financial success. 

3. Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794-1877)

$100 billion

You know you had serious clout when universities are named after you. An American steamship and railroad builder, financier, promoter, and executive, Vanderbilt left an estate of roughly $100 million, which, in 2001 dollars, represents an astonishing $100 billion. A man of incredible energy (and obviously remarkable time-management abilities), his intricate sense of business left his rivals in the dust. 

2. Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919)

$110 billion

The only thing we will say is that by the time he passed away in 1919, Carnegie had given away over $350 million. The rest, we will leave to him: “My heart is in the work… the duty of the man of wealth… is to set an example of modest unostentatious living, shunning display; to provide moderately for the legitimate wants of those dependent upon him; and, after doing so, to consider all surplus revenues which come to him simply as trust funds which he is strictly bound as a matter of duty to administer in the manner which, in his judgment, is best calculated to produce the most beneficial results for the community.” 

1. John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937)

$200 billion

If you thought Bill Gates has some serious anti-trust issues, then let us introduce to you the man that needs no introduction: the man who has a Center named after him in New York. The man who built, dominated, controlled, and ultimately lost the Standard Oil Company. Do yourself a favor: if you like business, politics and wealth, then get yourself his biography, Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller Sr., and you will understand why America is the place to be if you want to get rich.