Local businessman Kenneth Feld and his family have once again been named among the world’s billionaires with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion.
Forbes’ annual list of of the world’s billionaires placed the Feld family among the 2,000 wealthiest people in the world. They tied for 1,676th place on the “World Billionaires List” released this month.
Feld is the chairman of Manatee County’s Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Disney on Ice and Monster Jam. In 2023, the Sarasota area resident was almost 200 spots ahead of President Donald Trump and Oprah Winfrey as both tied for 1,217 on the list with $2.5 billion in net worth. Now, he falls behind both of them.
The Feld family’s wealth was more than 1,000 spots behind the list’s top three performers: No. 1 Elon Musk ($839 billion), former Alphabet CEO Larry Page ($257 billion) and former Alphabet president Sergey Brin ($237 billion). Alphabet is Google’s parent company; both Page and Brin stepped down from their leadership roles but remain board members and shareholders, according to Forbes.
Feld Entertainment grew out of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which was shuttered in 2017 due to declining ticket sales. But the circus came back this year: the new and improved show is touring nationwide with an all-new, music-heavy format and a cast of 65 performers from 17 countries.
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus relocated to Sarasota in 1927 from Bridgeport, Connecticut. Irvin Feld and his brother Israel, along with Houston Judge Roy Hofheinz, purchased the circus from the Ringling family in 1967 for $8 million. Kenneth Feld, 77, took over Feld Entertainment in 1984 after his father’s death. The circus then became part of Feld Entertainment, which is headquartered in Ellenton. The circus’ final performance was in 2017, bringing a 146-year-old American tradition to an end.
“Feld Entertainment, family owned and operated, is the worldwide leader in producing and presenting live touring family entertainment experiences that bring people together and uplift the human spirit,” Feld Entertainment’s website said. “Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment has entertained millions of families in more than 80 countries and on six continents.”
Forbes reported the family’s net worth has decreased since 2023. Feld’s has held billionaire status since 2021, reaching a peak in 2023 at $2.9 billion. Since then, it’s steadily dropped to $2.5 billion, where it has stayed since last year.
Local developer also made the list
Pat Neal, another Sarasota resident and founder of Neal Communities, also made the list, landing at No. 3017 with a net worth of $1.2 billion. The housing developer only recently made billionaire status in 2025, according to Forbes’ wealth history.
The 77-year-old’s wealth has also stayed the same since 2025. Neal founded his development company in 1970, and has built more than 25,000 homes from Tampa to Naples since.
Forbes’ list is a “snapshot of wealth using stock prices and exchange rates,” the magazine said. It also said individuals can become richer or poorer within days of publication. Using private companies, real estate, art and other assets, Forbes estimates an individual’s net worth.
Ella Thompson covers real estate and development for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Contact her at ethompson@usatodayco.com. Support local journalism by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 2 Sarasota billionaires land on new Forbes list of world’s richest
Reporting by Ella Thompson, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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