Resnick

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32) Stewart Resnick (Up arrow)

Age: 62

Residence: Beverly Hills

Source of Wealth: Mail-order merchandise, flowers

Net Worth: $750 million

Last Year’s Rank: 31

Background: Paid his way through law school at UCLA by washing windows and running an office cleaning company. With his wife and business partner Lynda Rae Resnick, he owns Roll International, a holding company for Franklin Mint, Teleflora, and Paramount Agribusiness, which last year generated revenue of $1.6 billion one of the nation’s largest privately owned businesses. Also owns an equity stake worth about $200 million in a portfolio of Westside commercial real estate.

Money Track: Based in Philadelphia, Franklin Mint employs 1,500 people and produces collector plates, dolls, sculptures and memorabilia sold through five retailers, including one on Rodeo Drive, and a direct-mail catalog. The Resnicks bought the company from Warner Communications in 1985 for $167.5 million and restored its sagging profitability. Company reportedly generates more than $800 million a year in revenue. Teleflora, meanwhile, provides about 25,000 local florists with specialty gifts and a network for orders. Paramount is the largest producer of almonds, pistachios and oranges for fresh consumption, selling products under the Sunkist name.

Buzz: Not everyone is crazy about Franklin Mint creations. Golfer Tiger Woods won an injunction in 1997 barring the company from distributing the “Tiger Woods Eyewitness Commemorative Medal,” saying he didn’t want to be associated with low-end merchandise. The Resnicks are avid collectors of contemporary art and 17th and 18th century French and Italian works. Together, they have served on the board of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. At a black-tie gala last month, the John Wayne Cancer Institute presented the “Duke” award to the couple for their philanthropic work.

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