Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The Forbes Fictional 15 ranked wealthy characters from authored fiction, using estimates tied to their stories and, where possible, real-world market prices. Its figures are historical interpretations—not current net-worth disclosures. For example, Forbes’ 2013 list material gave Scrooge McDuck an estimated $65.4 billion and Smaug $54.1 billion, using market prices as of the April 1, 2012 close.
What the Forbes Fictional 15 was
The Fictional 15 was Forbes’ ranking of rich characters in authored narrative fiction. Its archived tables listed each character’s rank, estimated net worth, age, residence and stated source of wealth. The amounts were Forbes estimates for fictional fortunes, not verified assets belonging to real people or companies.
The list was not a ranking of every wealthy figure in stories and legend. Forbes’ 2013 list material said candidates had to be authored fictional creations, appear in a specific narrative work or series, and be recognized as rich both within their fictional universe and by their audience. It excluded mythological and folkloric characters. Those criteria are reported in an indexed reproduction of the 2013 Forbes material.
How Forbes estimated fictional fortunes
The approach combined information from a character’s source material with real-world share and commodity prices when those provided a useful basis for estimating value. For privately held fictional companies, the 2013 list material says Forbes could make comparisons with fictional companies that had publicly traded shares.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
Why Smaug’s fortune involved assumptions
In a 2011 worked example, Forbes Executive Editor Michael Noer explained how the estimate for Smaug drew on assumptions about the dragon’s dimensions, the size and composition of his treasure mound, and prices for precious metals and diamonds. The exercise illustrates the method, but it is not a precise appraisal: changing assumptions about the hoard or its contents would change the result. Forbes’ figures should therefore be read as interpretive estimates grounded in story details and market references, not as exact valuations.
How the rankings changed across editions
These figures belong to particular editions and dates. Forbes’ 2013 publication year is not the valuation date: that list material says the estimates were based on market close on April 1, 2012.
Rank #2
- Ideal for Gifting
- Ideal for a bookworm
- Compact for travelling
| Edition or valuation date | Character | Rank | Estimated fortune | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 archived table | Santa Claus | 1 | Infinite | Forbes’ fictional estimate in the 2005 table |
| 2005 archived table | Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks | 2 | $27.3 billion | Forbes’ fictional estimate in the 2005 table |
| 2006 archived ranking | Oliver Warbucks | 1 | $36.2 billion | Forbes’ fictional estimate in the 2006 ranking |
| 2006 archived ranking | Scrooge McDuck | 3 | $10.9 billion | Forbes’ fictional estimate in the 2006 ranking |
| Market close, April 1, 2012; reported in 2013 material | Scrooge McDuck | Not stated in the cited material | $65.4 billion | Forbes’ fictional estimate using the stated historical valuation date |
| Market close, April 1, 2012; reported in 2013 material | Smaug | Not stated in the cited material | $54.1 billion | Forbes’ fictional estimate using the stated historical valuation date |
Forbes’ 2013 material also reported that combined Fictional 15 wealth had risen 3% to $215.8 billion. That aggregate describes fictional estimates valued at the April 1, 2012 market close; it is not a current measure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the list today
The Fictional 15 answers a historical, edition-specific question—not “Who are the richest characters in fiction today?” Its rankings reflect the characters Forbes included, the source material and assumptions available for each estimate, and the market prices used at the time. A character’s place or estimated fortune can change between editions, so a rank or dollar amount without its edition and valuation date can mislead.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- It can be a gift option
- Comes with secure packaging
- Helpful in various ways
Rank #4
- Attach every rank and fortune to its list edition.
- Keep the publication year separate from the valuation date when both are given.
- Describe the amounts as Forbes estimates for fictional characters, not current net worth figures.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
