H-E-B Owner Charles Butt Among Forbes' Billionaires

Butt family members also rank among world's wealthiest individuals

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:41pm

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Charles Butt, the owner and chairman of the San Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B, has been named to the Forbes list of the world's billionaires. Butt ranks No. 289 on the 2026 list with an estimated net worth of $11.1 billion, up from $10.8 billion last year. Butt's sister, Eleanor Butt Crook, and nephews Howard Butt III and Stephen Butt also made the list.

Why it matters

The inclusion of the Butt family members on the Forbes billionaires list highlights the significant wealth and influence of the family behind the H-E-B grocery chain, one of the largest and most successful regional grocery retailers in the United States.

The details

According to the report, Charles Butt began bagging groceries at H-E-B at the age of 8 and became CEO in 1971. H-E-B, founded in 1905, is a Texas-based grocery chain with more than 400 locations and more than 100,000 employees. In addition to the Butt family, the list also includes other prominent Texas billionaires such as Tilman Fertitta, owner of the Houston Rockets, and singer Beyoncé.

  • The Forbes list of the world's billionaires was released in 2026.

The players

Charles Butt

The owner and chairman of the San Antonio-based grocery chain H-E-B, who ranks No. 289 on the 2026 Forbes billionaires list with an estimated net worth of $11.1 billion.

Eleanor Butt Crook

Charles Butt's sister, who ranks No. 934 on the Forbes billionaires list with an estimated net worth of $4.6 billion.

Howard Butt III

Charles Butt's nephew, who is tied at No. 1,325 on the Forbes billionaires list with an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion.

Stephen Butt

Charles Butt's nephew, who is tied at No. 1,325 on the Forbes billionaires list with an estimated net worth of $3.2 billion.

H-E-B

A Texas-based grocery chain with more than 400 locations and more than 100,000 employees, founded in 1905.

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The takeaway

The inclusion of the Butt family members on the Forbes billionaires list underscores the significant wealth and influence of the family behind the H-E-B grocery chain, which has become one of the largest and most successful regional grocery retailers in the United States.