Wisconsin has always bred loyal cheeseheads, but a new ranking shows the state may be boasting a new crowd.
The state has 10 billionaires within its borders, according to the new Forbe's Billionaires list. Forbes counts 946 billionaires worldwide.
The richest Wisconsinite and UW-Madison graduate is John Menard Jr. from Eau Claire, who owns the popular hardware store chain named after his family. Menard first opened a hardware store in 1972 after building barns to pay college tuition, Forbes said.
Menard ranks No. 155 on the world list and is the 45th richest person in the United States. Menard has a net worth of $5.2 billion, according to Forbes.
Other state billionaires include No. 177 Herbert Kohler and four members of the Johnson family, who own SC Johnson and Son. The Racine family—H. Fisk Johnson, Imogene Powers Johnson, S. Curtis Johnson and Helen Johnson-Leipold—each have a net worth of $1.6 billion dollars.
