Jerry Speyer

Founded developer Tishman Speyer in 1978 with former father-in-law Robert Tishman; today firm remains a global real estate powerhouse. Owns stakes in New York landmarks Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center. Bought Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village apartment and retail complexes in Manhattan for $5.4 billion from MetLife in 2006. Won rights for Manhattan's coveted West Side rail yards project in March; deal collapsed 2 months later following rezoning disagreements with New York State's transit authority. Bought apartment landlord Archstone-Smith last October, acquiring national portfolio of 88,000 luxury rental units. Family business: wife, Katherine, runs emerging markets division, plans to develop $2 billion town in India. Son and daughter also work for firm.