Stephen Bechtel, Jr. Net Worth: $3.8 Billion
Stephen Bechtel, Jr. is a third-generation member of the Bechtel family, one of the wealthiest families in America. His grandfather founded Bechtel Corp., a construction and engineering company known for major projects such as the Channel Tunnel and the Hoover Dam. Bechtel joined the company in 1948 and became president at age thirty-five. He served as Chairman from 1973 until his retirement in 1990, when his son took over the company. Bechtel donated $50 million to the Boy Scouts of America in 2009 and now serves as a non-executive member of the Board. It is believed that he owns 20% of the company, which had a profit of $37.9 million in 2012. Bechtel also invested in Planetary Resources, an asteroid mining company, in April 2013, along with Ross Perot, Jr. and Google CEO Larry Page.
