The 400 Richest Americans
#14 Jack Crawford Taylor & family
09.21.06, 10:00 AM ET






Courtesy of Enterprise Rent-a-Car
Net Worth $13.9 billion Source Service, Self made


Age 84
Marital Status Married, 2 children
Hometown St Louis, MO, United States
Education Washington University, Drop Out


Left Washington University to serve in Navy; became fighter pilot on U.S.S. Enterprise during WWII. Sold cars after war, became sales manager for St. Louis Cadillac distributor. Took 50% pay cut to start own car-leasing business; offered rentals as temporary replacements for stolen, wrecked cars. Business boomed in 1970s after courts made insurance companies pay for replacement rentals. Today Enterprise Rent-A-Car's net profits exceed $700 million. Son Andrew began working for father "as soon as I could drive"; now chairman and chief executive. Increasing presence at airports; selling used cars.