Thomson Reuters chairman David Thomson family's fortune now $25.5 billion

The family’s $25.5 billion fortune makes Thomson the world’s 25th richest person.

Forbes noted that Thomson, 57, is the third generation of the media and publishing empire founded by his grandfather Roy Thomson. Thomson Reuters stock makes up 70 per cent of the family’s fortune. Thomson’s brother Peter is co-chairman of Woodbridge, the holding company that runs the family business.

David Thomson is part owner of the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets. He is an avid art collector with pieces by Pablo Picasso. He holds the world’s top collection of English romantic painter John Constable.

Thomson’s net worth is far ahead of the next Canadian billionaire, food and retail giant Galen Weston, whose family fortune is more than $9 billion putting him at 131st on the global list, according to Forbes.

Its list of 1,826 billionaires is headed by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates whose net worth is more than $79 billion. ■