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OC'S WEALTHIEST
The 25 wealthiest people in Orange County-including eight billionaires-count a collective $28 billion in estimated worth, according to the Business Journal's fifth annual list.
Their combined wealth is more than the gross domestic product of Luxemburg. The Irvine Company's Donald Bren, who easily tops the list, is estimated to be worth more than the economy of Brunei.
This year's group, which includes one more person than last year, counts $4 billion more in wealth than 2004's.
Much of the gain came from higher estimates with rising real estate and stock prices. In other cases, we upped estimates for some after coming up with what we feel are better reflections of their wealth.
The cutoff to make this year's list is $300 million, up from $250 million last year. To crack the top 10, you'll need at least $775 million, versus last year's $700 million. The top five? $1.75 billion, up from $1.2 billion.
Our list appears on page 24. Our special report on OC's Wealthiest starts on page 21.
Two people joined the billionaires on the list-bond fund manager Bill Gross and Oakley Inc.'s Jim Jannard-based on an analysis of how Forbes values them.
They bring the number of billionaires to eight from six last year.
Bren, chairman and owner of the Irvine Co., dominates the list, accounting for an estimated 28% of the group's wealth.
We upped our estimate for Bren from $7.5 billion last year to $8 billion. Some of that is accounting on our part. The rest is rising valuations for offices, apartments, shopping centers and land for homes.
Our valuation of Roland Arnall, owner and chairman of...