North starring up at a portrait John Ringling, his uncle and namesake, at Ca’ d’Zan, the former family home and now a museum, in Sarasota, Florida. Ringling was investing in railroads, oil, real estate and any number of other enterprises, including Madison Square Garden, where he became a member of the Board of Directors and major investor. In 1925, his personal wealth, holdings and companies were estimated at nearly $200 million or $2.8 million in today's dollars.