36. Gary Melius

One of the luckiest guys alive anywhere, Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius survived a near point-blank shooting by a masked gunman whose identity and motive still remain a mystery. To those who know him well—at least 6,300 of his closest friends, judging by his address book—there were no signs of acrimony or anxiety on Melius’ face in the weeks leading up to February’s assault. In fact, it was business as usual at Otto Kahn’s fabled 1921 estate, which Melius bought for $1.5 million in 1984. He’s still hosting those cigar-smoke-filled poker games in “The Dungeon,” his eclectic power lunches in the ornate dining room and ritzy wedding parties on the well-groomed grounds and in the celebrated halls of the 127-room French-style chateau. His venue has boasted the likes of the Jonas Brothers and former Democratic Rep. Anthony Weiner and his wife, Huma Abedin, as well as President Bill Clinton. As one of the powerbrokers behind the Independence Party, Melius has made plenty of friends on both sides of the aisle. Melius plays these connections artfully though sometimes flirts with danger, as was the case when he made headlines for being involved in a political situation that led to the ousting of the Nassau Police Commissioner. But Melius has never shrunk from the challenge or inquiries from the media. What you see is what you get with the most authentic, old-school power broker on Long Island.