$1.5 billion

Glen Dimplex

Ireland

Press-shy aeronautical engineer built world's largest manufacturer of electrical heating appliances (stoves, electrical fireplaces, space heaters, decorative fires, water heaters). Founded Glen Electric in 1973; acquired Dimplex four years later. Became sole owner of Glen Dimplex in 2003.

$1.6 billion

Garmin

U.S.

With partner Gary Burrell, launched GPS-device designer that became Garmin in 1989. Started marketing navigation units to directionally challenged drivers in 1998. Garmin's biggest retailer: Best Buy.

$1.1 billion

VTech

Hong Kong

Cofounded Video Technology in 1976. First product: a portable electronic-game console. Today VTech is the largest seller of cordless phones in the U.S.; also makes high-tech educational toys.

$2.1 billion

Yildiz

Turkey

His family's Yildiz Holding bought Godiva from Campbell Soup for $850 million in 2007. Company owns candy factories in Uzbekistan, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia.

$1.2 billion

Bloomberg LP

U.S.

The lesser-known cofounder of financial data and news outfit, he worked with Michael Bloomberg at Salomon Brothers. Helped design prototype of company's now ubiquitous terminal.

$11.5 billion

Anheuser-Busch Inbev

Brazil

With Marcel Telles and Carlos Alberto Sicupira, holds hefty stake in beverage giant Anheuser-Busch Inbev. First fortune: Flipped investment bank Banco Garantia for $675 million in 1998.

$1.7 billion

Germany

Became sole owner of the candy company Storck GmbH after his father's death in 2005. Outfit makes popular Werther's Original, Riesen caramels. Sales: $1.9 billion.

$2.5 billion

Dole

U.S.

Took charge of the struggling food company 1985. Today Dole is the world's largest producer of fruits and vegetables. Company went public last year; Murdock serves as chairman.

$2.5 billion

Leprino Foods

U.S.

Joined father's dairy outfit at age 18; transformed it into the world's largest mozzarella producer. Today Leprino Foods supplies cheese for Domino's, Papa John's, Pizza Hut pizzas, Hot Pockets, string cheese.

$4.2 billion

Nintendo

Japan

Largest individual shareholder of Nintendo. Firm started out selling playing cards; Yamauchi led push into videogame consoles. Introduced Nintendo Entertainment System in 1985, turned "Mario," "Zelda" into household names.