While most people are struggling with a tough economy, nine tycoons cleaned up last year.

Nine tycoons took home more than $2.6 billion, according to the Wall Street Joirnal.

“Nine founders of four of the world’s largest private-equity firms together collected the sum–more than twice as much as they made in the prior year–through dividends and other payments. The executives each took home more than $160 million…”

Nice work if you can get it.