Famous Philadelphians - Nine Richest Philadelphians

#5 - Kim, James & Family - $750 million, 66, married, Gladwyne, PA - Kim received a Masters Degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. In 1968 he left a teaching position at Villanova University to assist in the sales operation for his father's struggling electronics company, Anam Electronics. He founded Amkor Technology to act as Anam's U.S. sales agent. Times were difficult in the mid 1970's and Kim's wife, Agnes, also went into business selling transistor radios and calculators from a kiosk in the King of Prussia Mall. The family's fortunes have improved greatly since the 1970's. James's company Amkor has grown into the world's leading independent fabricator of chips and ICs. They provide components for such companies as Texas Instruments, Motorola, Philips and Toshiba. When Kim's father retired in 1990 James assumed the helm of his father's company as chairman of the Anam group in Seoul while retaining his chairmanship of Amkor Technology in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Agnes' business developed into retailer Electronics Boutique. Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp is today an international chain of consumer electronics stores with over 800 stores throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Ireland and Australia.
#313 of Forbes 400

#6 - Hamilton, Dorrance Hill- $740 million, 74, widowed, Wayne, PA - Dorrance Hill Hamilton is another granddaughter of Dr. John T. Dorrance, who developed the process for condensing soup. Dorrance purchased the Campbell Soup Company from his uncle 1914. Upon his death, he left half of his fortune to his son John, Jr., and the remainder to his 3 daughters. John, Jr. died 1989, and his children inherited his share. The family still holds approximately half of outstanding shares of Campbell stock.
#329 of Forbes 400

#7 - Roberts, Brian L. - $650 million, 43, married, Philadelphia, PA - Roberts is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School with a Masters of Business Administration. His father, Ralph J. Roberts, founded Comcast, the world's largest cable provider. Brian started with Comcast selling cable TV door-to-door. Brian assumed the presidency in 1990. Under Brian Roberts, Comcast purchased a controlling interest in QVC in 1995 and formed Comcast-Spectacor in 1996 owning and operating the NHL Philadelphia Flyers, NBA Philadelphia 76ers, First Union Spectrum, and First Union Center. Comcast-Spectacor owns and operates the NHL Philadelphia Flyers, NBA Philadelphia 76ers, as well as the First Union Spectrum and First Union Center. In 1997 Comcast obtained a 40% controlling interest in E! Entertainment Television. In 2001 Comcast obtained controlling interest in the Golf Channel and announced a $72 billion acquisition of AT&T's Broadband Division. The merger makes Comcast the world's largest provider of broadband video, voice and data services with annual revenue of $19 billion.
#354 of Forbes 400

#8 - Neubauer, Joseph - $580 million, 60, married, Philadelphia, PA - Neubauer is a University of Chicago graduate with a Masters of Business Administration. His parents fled Nazi Germany in 1938 to start over in Israel where Joseph was born three years later. At the age of 14, Neubauer's parents sent him to America where they felt he had a better chance for a good education and career. At age 27, he was named vice president of Chase Manhattan Bank. He later moved to PepsiCo where he became the youngest treasurer of a Fortune 500 company. He joined ARA in 1978 as CFO and led a $1.2 billion leveraged buyout 1984. The company was renamed Aramark. Aramark operates food concessions, child care, health care services, and other diversified businesses. It has $7.8 billion in annual sales. Aramark was taken public in 2001. Neubauer remains Chairman and CEO.
#379 of Forbes 400

#9 - Strawbridge, George, Jr. - $550 million, 64, married, Cochranville, PA - This Trinity College Connecticut graduate is a grandson of Dr. John T. Dorrance, who developed the process for condensing soup. Dorrance purchased the Campbell Soup Company from his uncle 1914. Upon his death, he left half of his fortune to his son John, Jr., and the remainder to his 3 daughters. John, Jr. died 1989, and his children inherited his share. The family still holds approximately half of outstanding shares of Campbell stock. Strawbridge is the country’s leading owner and a leading breeder of steeplechase horses.
#391 of Forbes 400

Previous

• 1
• 2

Next