Forbes

Forbes was founded on September 15, 1917, by Bertie Charles Forbes, a financial columnist for the Hearst papers, and his partner Walter Drey, the general manager of the Magazine of Wall Street. B.C. Forbes put up the money and his name; Drey brought the publishing know-how. The original title was Forbes: Devoted to Doers and Doings. Drey became vice-president of the B.C. Forbes Publishing Company, and B.C. Forbes served as editor-in-chief until his death in 1954. After World War II, B.C. Forbes's sons, Bruce Charles Forbes and Malcolm Forbes, took over senior leadership, with Bruce strengthening operations and marketing to nearly double the magazine's circulation.

Forbes is most famous for its authoritative lists and rankings, which have become cultural touchstones shaping public perceptions of success and wealth. These include the Forbes 400 (richest Americans), the World's Billionaires list, the Forbes Global 2000 (largest public companies), the World's Most Powerful People, and rosters of influential young achievers and top celebrities. Since 2010, the Forbes.com website has increasingly relied on a network of freelance contributors, a model that has drawn criticism for limited editorial oversight, with some accusing it of enabling pay-to-play journalism.

Today, the company is owned by Hong Kong-based Integrated Whale Media Investments, which purchased it in 2014 for $475 million. The chairman and editor-in-chief is Steve Forbes, son of Malcolm Forbes. As of January 2025, Sherry Phillips became CEO. Forbes is headquartered in Jersey City, New Jersey, having moved from New York City. It operates numerous international editions worldwide, extending its reach across many countries and regions. [edit]