Estate of Ronald Southern

Net Worth:
$2.3 billion
(▲12.7% from 2017)

Rich 100 rank: #43
Change in rank from 2017: ▲6
Major company holdings: Atco, Canadian Utilities
Location: Calgary

Ronald Southern built an empire centred on a single product—the movable trailer, which provided shelter for workers in remote areas. Southern expanded into other areas, including energy, utilities and construction, not to mention Spruce Meadows, an equestrian facility. Southern died in 2016, having already passed the reins at Atco Ltd. to his daughter Nancy, who became president and CEO in 2003. Since then, she’s dealt with the crash in oil prices, and the current Alberta government’s plan to phase out coal-fired power. Atco anticipated the move, and is investing more in renewable energy.

Updated Thursday, November 9, 2017