MS has 2 of the richest people in the US for 2025, Forbes says. Here’s who, how much they’re worth
Two brothers rank among the wealthiest in the United States and are the only billionaires in the state of Mississippi, according to a recent ranking by Forbes magazine.
James and Thomas Duff, who live in Hattiesburg, have a combined net worth of more than $8 billion as of Oct. 13, according to Forbes. That’s more than 135,300 times the median household income in Mississippi, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
The Duff brothers’ father, Ernest Duff, founded a tire company which is now called Southern Tire Mart in Columbia, Mississippi in 1973, according to the company’s website. He sold the company in 1998, but the brothers bought it back in 2003, according to Forbes.
The tire company sells “over 4 million new tires and 2.5 million truck tires each year,” Forbes said.
James and Thomas Duff are also the cofounders and co-owners of the holding company Duff Capital Investors, which brings in a total revenue of $6 billion, according to Forbes.
Thomas Duff, who Forbes called “a leading potential candidate” for Mississippi governor in 2027, founded a political action committee in December, Mississippi Today reported in January.
“We are planning a significant investment in multiple races in our state to ensure strong, conservative leadership at every level of government,” Jordan Russell, director of the PAC, told the outlet.
Here’s where the billionaire brothers stand individually, according to Forbes.
James Duff
Net worth: $4.1B
Age: 64
Source: Tires, diversified
National ranking: 362 (tied)
Thomas Duff
Net worth: $4.1B
Age: 68
Source: Tires, diversified
National ranking: 362 (tied)
Who are the wealthiest people in America?
These are the top 10 billionaires as of Sept. 1, according to the Forbes 400 list for 2025:
1. Elon Musk
Net worth: $428B
Age: 54
State: Texas
Source: Tesla, SpaceX
2. Larry Ellison
Net worth: $276B
Age: 81
State: California
Source: Oracle
3. Mark Zuckerberg
Net worth: $253B
Age: 41
State: California
Source: Meta
4. Jeff Bezos
Net worth: $241B
Age: 61
State: Florida
Source: Amazon
5. Larry Page
Net worth: $179B
Age: 52
State: California
Source: Google
6. Sergey Brin
Net worth: $166B
Age: 52
State: California
Source: Google
7. Steve Ballmer
Net worth: $153B
Age: 52
State: Washington
Source: Microsoft
8. Jensen Huang
Net worth: $151B
Age: 62
State: California
Source: Semiconductors
9. Warren Buffett
Net worth: $150B
Age: 95
State: Nebraska
Source: Berkshire Hathaway
10. Michael Dell
Net worth: $129B
Age: 60
State: Texas
Source: Dell Technologies
How did Forbes compile its list?
Forbes used account information on all types of assets and deducted debt and funds donated to charitable foundations to compile their 44th edition of the wealthiest people in America today, according to the magazine.
Dispersed family fortunes were excluded from the rankings, Forbes said.
“Uncovering their fortunes required us to pore over thousands of Securities and Exchange Commission documents, court filings, probate records and news articles,” the magazine said.
This story was originally published October 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
