H-E-B Chief Charles Butt Named San Antonio's Richest Person Again

Six Alamo City residents, including Butt, made Forbes' annual World's Billionaires List.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 4:56pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt has once again been named San Antonio's wealthiest resident and the only one to break into the Top 400 on Forbes' annual World's Billionaires List, with a net worth of $11.1 billion. While Butt's net worth increased from last year, his ranking slipped due to an influx of new names and others whose fortunes rose more rapidly. In addition to Butt, five other San Antonio-based billionaires made the list, including members of the Butt family and others with ties to the city.

Why it matters

The Forbes World's Billionaires List provides insight into the growing wealth and influence of the ultra-rich, even as resentment against the billionaire class continues to build. San Antonio's representation on the list highlights the city's status as a hub for business and entrepreneurship, with several of the wealthiest individuals having ties to the Alamo City.

The details

H-E-B Chairman Charles Butt ranked No. 289 on the Forbes World's Billionaires List with a net worth of $11.1 billion, up from $10.8 billion the previous year. However, his position on the list slipped 59 places due to an influx of new names and others whose fortunes rose more rapidly. In addition to Butt, five other San Antonio-based billionaires made the list, including his sister Eleanor Butt Crook (No. 1325, $4.6 billion), nephews Howard Butt III and Stephen Butt (tied at No. 1325, $3.2 billion), former Pace Picante Sauce peddler Kit Goldsbury (No. 2,052, $2 billion), and religious-right political donor James Leininger (No. 2,177, $1.9 million).

  • The Forbes World's Billionaires List is an annual publication.

The players

Charles Butt

The chairman of the H-E-B grocery empire, who is San Antonio's wealthiest resident and the only one to break into the Top 400 on Forbes' annual World's Billionaires List.

Eleanor Butt Crook

The sister of Charles Butt, who ranked No. 1325 on the Forbes World's Billionaires List with a net worth of $4.6 billion.

Howard Butt III

The nephew of Charles Butt, who tied for No. 1325 on the Forbes World's Billionaires List with a net worth of $3.2 billion.

Stephen Butt

The nephew of Charles Butt, who tied for No. 1325 on the Forbes World's Billionaires List with a net worth of $3.2 billion.

Kit Goldsbury

The former Pace Picante Sauce peddler who now leads Pearl developer Silver Ventures, and ranked No. 2,052 on the Forbes World's Billionaires List with a net worth of $2 billion.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

The continued growth of San Antonio's billionaire class, led by H-E-B's Charles Butt, highlights the city's status as a hub for business and entrepreneurship, even as resentment against the ultra-wealthy persists nationwide.