50 Wealthiest: Stewart & Lynda Resnick #26

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NET WORTH: $1.88 billion

LAST YEAR: $1.88 billion

AGE: 75 (Stewart)

RESIDENCE: Beverly Hills

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Agriculture, retail

THE MONEY: Performance varied across Resnicks’ diverse agricultural and retail empire, which saw a rebound in floral industry while pomegranate juice struggled to compete against coconut water and other specialty drinks. Portfolio essentially flat.

BUZZ: Though not caught up in as many contentious dust-ups and big acquisitions as a year ago, still keeping a high profile. Pomegranate juice maker Pom Wonderful remains in a legal dispute with Federal Trade Commission over allegations of exaggerated health claims. And couple became gossip column fodder when they reportedly sent an e-mail to friends balking at their portrayal in a new book about lavish L.A. real estate, which quoted an anonymous source describing the power couple as “vulgarians.” Steamy Super Bowl commercial featuring supermodel Adriana Lima for floral wire service Teleflora drew some controversy. Politically connected Resnicks donated more than $100,000 to national and state election campaigns, mostly to Democrats. Stewart also reportedly donated $25,000 to a proposed ballot measure that would more strongly regulate health insurance rates. Couple’s holdings include some 120,000 acres of fresh citrus, almond and pistachio trees in Central Valley.

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