Richard Blumenthal + minimum net worth + $54.9 million, The Connecticut senator makes his mark as the richest freshman member of the 112th Congress.

But Blumenthal dropped more than $11 million from the minimum net worth he reported as a candidate in the Nutmeg State's Senate contest in early 2010.

Blumenthal's wealth stems in part from his wife, Cynthia Blumenthal, the daughter of New York real estate magnate Peter Malkin.

Among the family's numerous real-estate investments were Empire State Building Associates, which holds a 114-year master lease on the New York landmark, and the Empire State Building Co., which operates the building.

While both assets were valued at "over $1 million" in Blumenthal's candidate filing, Empire State Building Associates declined to between $500,000 and $1 million in his most recent report.
Blumenthal also decreased the value of his stake in Merrifield Apartments, which owns properties in Connecticut and Virginia, from the $5 million to $25 million category to "over $1 million."

The senator dropped two trusts previously listed for one of his four children, who is no longer a dependent, removing about $2.8 million from his total assets.