Charles Ergen $8.1 billion
Dish Network, EchoStar. Denver. 55. Married, 5 children
Former pro poker player sold TV satellites from truck with wife in 1980s. Built EchoStar Communications (nasdaq: DISH - news - people ) into satellite giant; company commands 13.7 million subscribers today. Spun off cable box manufacturer EchoStar Corp. in January; shares of TV program provider Dish Network down 25% since. Still runs both companies. Suffered setback in race for high-definition TV dominance with DirecTV (nyse: DTV - news - people ) after $6 million satellite failed; launched another satellite this summer. Purchased Internet TV company Sling Media for $380 million last September.
