4 Billionaire-Owned Hotel Chains

Of the world’s 2,640 billionaires, 24 built their fortunes from hotels, with the majority coming from the U.S., according to Forbes’ World’s Billionaires 2023 list. Here are four hotel chains backed by billionaires. Net worths are as of April 19, 2023

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Minor Hotels 
Billionaire: William Heinecke
Headquarters: Thailand
Net worth: $1.6 billion

The U.S.-born Thai citizen Heinecke started his first business when he was just a teenager. Today, his Bangkokbased business has over 530 hotels and resorts—under brands such as Four Seasons, St. Regis, Anantara, and Marriott—in 56 countries. Minor Hotels posted 57% year-on-year growth in net profit to generate $55.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, propelled by the easing of travel restrictions and an increase in consumer spending. It operates 26 hotels and resorts in the Middle East across five brands, with plans to expand further in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman. Anantara will debut its first property in Ras Al Khaimah and in India in Q4 2023.