The 10 Richest People In Tennessee

Tennessee is known as being an intensely conservative state, one that values financial independence, small government and down-home values. Those solid values have come in handy when it comes to these business tycoons, the top twelve richest people in the Volunteer State. We bet you can't name them all!

10) James W. McGothlin - 900 million

Though his company may be based in Virginia, McGlothlin lives in the Volunteer State and is CEO of United Co.

9) JR Hyde II - 915 million

Hyde is the founder of AutoZone and makes his home in Memphis.

8) Kemmons-Wilson Family - 1.2 billion

The Holiday Inn founders are based out of Memphis, TN.

7) Cal Turner, Jr. - 1.5 billion

As the absolute largest stockholder of Dollar General, Turner is doing quite qell for himself. The company was built by his father and grandfather.

6) Jimmy Haslam - 1.5 billion

The CEO of popular Pilot Flying J and owner of the Cleveland Browns is well set when it comes to his bank account.

5) Mason Hawkins -1.8 billion

Hawkins owns the Southeaster Asset Management Group and just barely scrapes in at our top five - but he's not really scraping by at all, if you ask us.

4) Brad Kelley - 2 billion

Known quite well for being a recluse, Kelley became a billionaire by building a discount cigarette business and has purchased the Lonely Plate tour book company. He also owns almost two million multi-state acres of land.

3) Frederick Smith - 3.2 billion

Smith is the founder as well as current CEO of FedEx - we're pretty sure you've heard of it.

2) Martha Rivers Ingram - 3.9 billion

A solid philanthropist and lover of the arts, Ingram took over Ingram Industries after the loss of her husband.

1) Thomas Frist - 6.1 billion

Did you know Tennessee was so wildly infused with cash? We're proud of our southern stock, no matter the dollar signs, and are proud to be from the ol' Rocky Top. Thoughts? Tell us in the comments!