Nicholas Howley
Source of wealth: Aerospace
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The scale of their wealth
Health
The price of life
Let's compare Nicholas Howley's fortune with the healthcare spending of a massive country
Nicholas Howley could fund the entire healthcare system of DR Congo, with a population of over 105,800,000 people, for approximately 0.9 years.
But even if we compare their fortune with that of a rich country
On the other end, Nicholas Howley could cover the healthcare spending of Luxembourg, considered the most heavily funded healthcare system in the world, for 0.4 years.
Education
Buying the future
Let's also compare their fortune with education spending, first with a poor country
Nicholas Howley could cover the total cost of Nigeria's education system, the most populous country in Africa with over 243,000,000 inhabitants, for 0.6 years.
And yes, we can also compare it with a rich country
But they couldn't just cover the cost of a poor country; Luxembourg is considered the country with the highest per capita investment in education in the world, and Nicholas Howley could pay for it entirely for 0.8 years.
Research
The monopoly on progress
Coming full circle, we think it's also interesting to add another gigantic country
Nicholas Howley could fully fund the state research budget of Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world with over 260,000,000 inhabitants, for 3.3 years.
And of course, the country that invests the most per capita worldwide
But even if we compare the total wealth of Nicholas Howley with Israel, the country that invests the most per capita in research in the world, they could cover the total cost of the system for 0.1 years.
Gold
Everyday luxuries
Nicholas Howley's fortune is equivalent to 13 tons of gold. It's hard to process, since we don't usually keep a handful of gold bars in our piggy banks.
A standard gold ring usually weighs between 4 and 7 grams. Let's say this one weighs 5 grams. It's usually 18 karats.
Based on today's gold price (excluding the jeweler's commission, shipping, or anything else), that ring would be worth $546.86.
Nicholas Howley could buy 3,585,128 gold rings. That's a lot of fingers and way too many gifts!!
And if you're struggling to visualize that many rings, it would take 1 trucks to transport them. Although Nicholas Howley will almost certainly have enough money left over to pay for the gas.
Biography
W. Nicholas Howley cofounded TransDigm through a 1993 leveraged buyout in which he acquired four struggling aerospace units from his employer, IMO Industries. He is currently its chairman.
The Cleveland-based aerospace parts manufacturer has grown into an $8.8 billion (sales) company through acquisitions of small companies that are the sole makers of particular components.
Howley has twice been called to testify before Congress over allegations the company has overcharged the Pentagon for spare parts.
He is also chairman of Perimeter Solutions, a chemical manufacturing company.
His family foundation has provided scholarships to hundreds of low-income students, primarily to attend Catholic high schools in Cleveland and Philadelphia.
Financial Assets
Monthly wealth history
Fortune comparison
Historical data not available for comparison