NET WORTH:

$678 million 5.6%

LAST YEAR: $642 million

AGE: 88

RESIDENCE: Los Angeles

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Insurance

THE MONEY: Upon 1985 divorce from George Joseph, received half of couple’s joint shares under California community property laws, amounting to 17 percent of total outstanding shares. Since then, continued to receive hefty dividend payouts. Share price rose more than 10 percent in last year; dividend payout boosted net worth.

BUZZ: Married George Joseph in 1946 shortly after he returned from serving in World War II. When Joseph founded Mercury Insurance in 1962, Gloria was named vice president; a post she held until the couple’s 1985 divorce. Stepped down from Mercury’s board in 2003; kept very low profile since.