Jack Cockwell

Net Worth:
$1.48 billion
(▲70.1% from 2017)

Rich 100 rank: #80
Change in rank from 2017: ▲14
Major company holdings: Brookfield Asset Management
Location: Toronto
Age: 78

At just 27 years old, Jack Cockwell was hired to manage the inheritance of a couple of the Bronfman brothers. The South African-born accountant used the Bronfmans’ company, Edper Investments, to make a series of daring acquisitions and built a sprawling conglomerate that owned real estate, resource companies and financial firms. Today, that company is Brookfield Asset Management, boasting a US$250 billion portfolio of property, infrastructure and renewable power assets. Later in life, Cockwell ended up marrying Lynda Bronfman, the third wife of his former boss. His fortune is tied to Brookfield, where he remains a director.

Updated Thursday, November 9, 2017