MISSOURI – More than 3,000 billionaires worldwide were recognized on Forbes’ newest list of billionaires, an exclusive club that controls nearly $16.1 trillion of the world’s total wealth.

For many years, Johnny Morris, the founder of Bass Pro Shops, has topped Missouri’s billionaire rankings.

However, according to data from the newly released Forbes 2025 World’s Billionaires List, there appears to be a new frontrunner in the Show Me State.

Morris now has a real-time net worth of $9.4 billion, which ranks 302nd among the world’s billionaires, according to Forbes.

Meanwhile, David Steward, the founder of World Wide Technology, has surged ahead with a real-time net worth of $11.4 billion, which ranks 213th.

Last year, according to data compiled by FOX 2, Steward’s fortune stood at $7.6 billion, which placed him second behind Morris. Now, he’s worth nearly $4 billion more than last year.

Along with this distinction, Forbes recently recognized Steward as the wealthiest Black person in America.

At 73 years old, Steward is the majority owner of World Wide Technology, which he founded in 1990 as a systems integrator. Over the years, the company has attracted major corporate clients, like Citi, Verizon and the federal government.

In 2019, World Wide Technology’s revenue exceeded $11 billion, making it one of St. Louis’ wealthiest private companies.

Steward grew up in Clinton, Missouri, nearly 80 miles south of Kansas City. He holds a business degree from Central Missouri State University. His career also includes an extensive sales background with Missouri Pacific Railroad and FedEx.

According to Forbes, Steward now resides in St. Louis, Missouri, while Morris resides in Springfield, Missouri.

Several other Missourians on last year’s Forbes billionaires list were also recognized this year, including:

  • Pauline MacMillan Keinath ($7.3 billion, 443rd)
  • Jim Kavanaugh ($7 billion, 474th)
  • Jack Dorsey ($3.9 billion, 929th)
  • Rodger Riney & family ($3.9 billion, 929th)
  • Robert Clark ($2.9 billion, 1265th)
  • David Hoffman ($2 billion, 1763rd)
  • Jim McKelvey ($1.6 billion, 2110th)
  • Sam Altman ($1.5 billion, 2233rd)