The Business Journal’s annual survey of the richest Angelenos is based on an array of public documents, company records and Wall Street data. It also includes interviews with the candidates themselves (when they agreed to be interviewed), their representatives, acquaintances, competitors, and others who might have knowledge of their financial dealings.

When calculating the wealth of those who made most of their money in privately held companies or diversified financial vehicles the Business Journal determines, when possible, the market value of their holdings, be it companies, real estate or other assets. In cases in which the wealth of a candidate could not be confidently determined, the person was dropped from the list.

Net Worth: Represents the current personal net worth of each individual. Today, there are 16 billionaires who have their primary residences in Los Angeles.

Wealth Indicator: Shows whether that person’s fortune has risen
, fallen
or remained static
over the past year.

Source of Wealth: Indicates primary avenues through which the person accumulated his wealth.

Last Year’s Rank: Where the person placed on last year’s list.

Background: Details about where the person came from and how he made his money.

Money Track: Chronicles the path taken by a person to amass his fortune.

Buzz: What people are saying about the individual, his companies and his ways of doing business.