Net Worth:

$2.5 billion +9%

Last Year:

$2.3 billion

Age:

42

Residence:

Beverly Hills

Source of Wealth:

Leveraged buyouts

The Money:

Founder and chairman of Platinum Equity, a private equity firm that has acquired more than 75 companies with cumulative revenues exceeding $16 billion at the time of purchase. Gores also holds equity stakes in two film companies, Crescent Drive Entertainment and 360 Pictures. His real estate holdings include an office complex in Beverly Hills, where he is headquartered, and residential property in Malibu. Net worth provided by Platinum Equity.

Buzz:

Platinum’s big brands include US Robotics (computer modems), PNA Group (steel services) and DyStar (textiles). Recent purchases include Americatel, a long-distance provider targeting U.S. Hispanics, and Advogent, a creator of marketing materials for health care and pharmaceutical clients. Platinum has the inside track as the preferred bidder for global steering and halfshaft units of auto parts maker Delphi Corp., which is restructuring in bankruptcy court. Also, Weyerhauser Co. has signed an agreement to sell Platinum its building material distribution centers in Canada. This summer Gores 360 Pictures will release “I Know Who Killed Me,” a thriller starring Lindsay Lohan.