North Carolina's wealthiest residents once again topped by Jim Goodnight

James Goodnight, co-founder and CEO of the Cary data analytics firm SAS, remains North Carolina's wealthiest resident, according to Forbes' recently released list of the world's billionaires.

The big picture: Most of North Carolina's richest business leaders saw their fortunes grow in the past year, including Goodnight, 81, whose wealth rose 36.5% to $10.1 billion last year, according to Forbes.

• Goodnight has used his fortune to benefit his alma mater, N.C. State, start Cary Academy and bankroll real estate projects across the region.
• The billionaire could have a huge liquidity event in 2025 — if SAS ends up listing its shares on the stock market as it has planned.

Zoom in: Cary's tech founders dominate North Carolina's richest list. Besides Goodnight, here are other Triangle connections on the list:

• Tim Sweeney, 53, founder and CEO of Cary-based Epic Games: $5.7 billion, up 21.3%.
• John Sall, 75, co-founder of SAS: $5 billion, up 35.1%

Other billionaires with North Carolina connections:

• David Tepper, 66, hedge fund operator and Carolina Panthers owner: $20.6 billion
• Michael Jordan, 61, UNC basketball legend and Charlotte Hornets part owner: $3.2 billion
• Roy Carroll, 61, founder of the Greensboro real estate firm Carroll Cos. : $2.6 billion
• Ric Elias, 56, founder of Charlotte's Red Ventures: $1 billion

Not on the list :

• Dennis Gillings, founder of Durham clinical research company Quintiles (now IQVIA), was on the list last year with a net worth of $2.1 billion, but is not listed this year.
• Tom Dundon, the Carolina Hurricanes owner.