Bren O.C.’s Richest: $2.5 Billion, Says Forbes

Irvine Co. Chairman Donald L. Bren was once again named the wealthiest person in Orange County, according to the annual Forbes 400 Richest People in America survey, released Sunday.

Bren, 65, is also majority owner of the development company and lives in Newport Beach.

Forbes ranked Bren as the 52nd wealthiest person in America, with an estimated net worth of $2.5 billion.

Last year, Bren was ranked 48th, and the magazine estimated his net worth at $2 billion.

Anne Catherine Getty Earhart of Laguna Beach was ranked 278th, with an estimated net worth of $670 million.

Last year, the magazine ranked her 255th with a net worth of $600 million.

Kingston Technology Corp. founders David Sun and John Tu were ranked 326th and 328th respectively, with an estimated net worth of about $600 million each.

Tu and Sun become famous last year for giving the employees of their Fountain Valley-based computer firm a $100-million bonus package.

Forbes named Microsoft founder Bill Gates the richest man in America with a net worth of $39.8 billion, followed by investor Warren Buffett, whose net worth was estimated to be $21 billion.