Private equity has generated dozens of billionaires - but these firms seem to do it best

Forbes' Richest Americans list showcases dozens of private equity execs who have made billions doing leveraged buyouts.

But six men from two private equity firms share one common distinction.

Apollo Global Management and Carlyle Group management split the bill as the top two private equity firms on Forbes' Richest Americans list in this year's update.

Both companies made their public market debuts several years back, helping elevate people like Josh Harris, David Rubenstein and Leon Black into the upper echelons of the rich list.

Other private equity operations, like KKR, Blackstone Group and Oaktree Capital, each have two founders on the Forbes list. There are several firms that also have one executive on the list, including Providence Equity, Platinum Equity and Vista Equity Partners.