The billionaires club is full of possible medical school donors

By Rebecca Clifford-Cruz

Sunday, March 22, 2015 | 2 a.m.

UNLV officials are looking for wealthy donors to help support the medical school. Good thing Las Vegas isn't lacking billionaires.

We don't know if they are interested, but here are some high rollers who live in or have ties to Las Vegas that school officials may want to hit up.

Warren Buffett, net worth $73 billion

As the second-richest man in the United States, Warren Buffet’s name became very localized when he purchase NVEnergy – the state’s electric monopoly - in 2013. The CEO of Berkshire Hathaway is both a master of business and philanthropy.

Sheldon Adelson, net worth $29.6 billion

It’s no surprise to see Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO, Sheldon Adelson, on this list. The self-made billionaire has been on Forbes 400 for more than a decade and is the wealthiest man in Nevada. Although, this year may not be a good time to ask for a hand out as the 81-year-old lost more that $10 billion in 2014 as his company stock dropped 30 percent.

Carl Icahn, net worth $23.5 billion

Founder of Icahn Capital Management, Carl Icahn, is owner of the defunct Fountainebleau. The 75-year-old purchased the property out of bankruptcy in 2010 and has yet to decide its fate. Icahn has had an exceptional financial year padding his investment portfolio by nearly $100 million.

Elon Musk, net worth $12 billion

At 42-years-old, Elon Musk has built an empire from Space Exploration Technologies to luxury electric car line, Tesla. Musk just received the tax handout of the century for building a Tesla manufacturing plant in Northern Nevada. Contributing to Nevada’s Higher Education System would make a generous statement: You invest in me and I’ll invest in you.

Pierre Omidyar, net worth $8.2 billion

eBay Founder and Chairman Pierre Omidyar, 47, may be a resident of Hawaii, but the French-born Iranian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist has a second home – a 48,000 square foot - in Henderson he shares with his wife.

Nancy Walton Laurie, net worth $4.6 billion

As one of two heirs to the Wal-Mart fortune, Nancy inherited billions upon her father’s death 20 years ago. She and husband Bill – a real estate developer - have been residents in Henderson for years.

Kirk Kerkorian, net worth $4.2 billion

A titan in the gaming industry, Kirk Kerkorian’s Las Vegas ties go back half a century. As a developer, Kerkorian three times built the world's largest hotel in Las Vegas. While he no longer sits on the board of MGM Resorts International, he is a majority shareholder owning 19 percent.

Donald Trump, net worth $4 billion

Real Estate developer and television personality, Donald Trump, is a household name. He entered the Las Vegas market in 2008 with the opening of Trump International Las Vegas. The Strip property got off to a rocky start when units were sold exclusively as condo-hotel units, but the tide turned in 2009 when Trump opted to rent the units on one-year leases as furnished apartments. Now that the market has turned favorably for high-rise ownership, the units have begun selling as condos again.

Steve Wynn, net worth $3.2 billion

Gaming magnate Steve Wynn has deep roots in Southern Nevada, touted as the pioneer who reinvented the Las Vegas Strip in the 1990’s. At 73-years-old, the billionaire currently owns four mega resorts in Las Vegas and Macau.

Phil Ruffin, net worth $2 billion

Real estate and casino investor, Phil Ruffin, has made his fortune by buying small and selling big. His latest Las Vegas Strip transaction included the purchase of Treasure Island for $755 million in 2009 during the real estate bust. It has more than double in value since acquiring the property.

Elaine Wynn, net worth $2 billion

Elaine Wynn cares deeply about education as she sits at the helm of the Nevada State Board of Education. She and Steve Wynn divorced in 2010 however she received millions of shares in the divorce settlement and maintained 9.5 percent ownership of Wynn Resorts. Elaine is known for both her philanthropy and business influence.

The Fertitta Brothers, Combined net worth $3 billion

Frank III and Lorenzo Fertitta each boast a $1.5 billion net worth from their Stations Casinos and UFC ownership. At 49 (Frank) and 42 (Lorenzo) years old, they remain the youngest billionaires in the state.