Wealthiest Angelenos: 9, Stewart & Lynda Resnick

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Net Worth: $4.99 billion, up 4 percent

LAST YEAR: $4.8 billion

AGE: 79 (Stewart)

RESIDENCE: Beverly Hills

SOURCE OF WEALTH: Agriculture, retail

THE MONEY: Resnicks’ Wonderful Co. is largest almond and pistachio grower in United States. Though global economic slowdown and supply glut slackened almond prices in recent months, nuts remain healthy crop, and Wonderful’s popular brands charge premium. Company also added more citrus crops to business this year by acquiring I. Kunik Co., a McAllen, Texas-based distributor of Mexico-grown Persian limes.

THE BUZZ: Wonderful’s focus on high-demand, high-margin crops has created farming juggernaut. High nut prices caught attention of thieves and company suffered from several large nut heists conducted by organized criminals over last year. Drought remains concern, though El Nino rains should lessen company’s expenses. Tore up 10,000 acres of almond orchards this year likely to avoid overproduction amid long-term decline in almond prices. Outside of core business, Wonderful also increasingly involved in California’s education system, launching charter school called Wonderful College Prep Academy in Delano in 2009. This year put forward proposal to launch charter school district in nearby Lost Hills, farming town whose residents are heavily employed by company. Resnicks also noted art collectors.

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