Top 10 Wealthiest Families
Keeping tabs on the wealthiest individuals and families in the world's most entertaining expedition ever. There must be reasons you want to know this information, whether for envy, admiration, or resentment. You see them inexpensive cars and personal jets, dressing, the meals they eat, and the houses they live in will get you thinking of what you are doing with your life and whether you are in the right family.
According to Forbes, the world's wealthiest families are getting richer and richer. The publication once again compiled its annual list of the richest families globally, with details on their industries, how they built their fortunes and where each family lives. They amass their fortunes in various ways, from banking and finance to tech and industry. Here are some of the top richest families in the world.
Walton Family
The Walton family is the richest family in America. Coming from a long line of Walmart founder Sam Walton, many of these billionaires have never even worked for the retail giant. This family has a net worth of $228 billion. There are three living children of Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart. The family is considered one of the most influential families globally, and their business has a presence in 28 countries globally.
At least one Walton has featured on the Forbes 400 list of America’s Richest Families every year since the magazine began publishing such a list in 1982. The latest Waltons to make the grade are Jim C. Walton, Robson Walton, Alice Walton, S. Robson Walton, Ann Walton Kroenke, and Nancy Walton Laurie.
Mars Family
The Mars family began to make confectionery in 1911 after Frank and Ethel Mars started making buttercream candies in their Tacoma, Washington home. The family took its first steps into the world of chocolate when it introduced the Milky Way bar. Over the next century, three generations of Mars family members oversaw growth into one of the largest candy manufacturers in the world.
Estimated Wealth: $142 billion
Company: Mars
Koch Family
The Koch family is listed as one of the richest families globally, with an estimated wealth of $124 billion. While many of the Koch brothers' great-grandchildren are still too young to have amassed their own fortunes, many are already benefiting from their family's extraordinary wealth and working for major companies like Amazon, WL Ross & Co., and beauty giant Sephora.
Company: Koch Industries
Hermès Family
Estimated Wealth: $112 billion
Company: Hermès
The Hermès family, also known as the Dumas Family, is a group of French entrepreneurs, investors, and philanthropists. The core business of the Hermès family is the luxury goods manufacturer Hermès International S.A., which was founded by Thierry Hermès and is one of the world's largest luxury goods companies today. The family specializes in leather, lifestyle accessories, perfumery, luxury goods, and ready-to-wear.
Estimated Wealth: $112 billion
Company: Hermès
Al Saud
The royal family of Saudi Arabia has the largest number of billionaires globally. The Al Saud family are direct descendants of Muhammad bin Saud, founder of the Emirate of Diriyah, known as the First Saudi State (1744–1818). He united the four regions that form most of what is now Saudi Arabia and consolidated his control over the Emirate through a series of conquests beginning in 1744 when he took Riyadh from the rival clan of Al Mishari. This wealth played a significant role in the development of modern-day Saudi Arabia.
Estimated Wealth: $100 billion
Company: Saudi Royal Family
Ambani Family
The Ambani family is the richest in India and one of the richest families in Asia. With a wealth of $44.8 billion, Mukesh Ambani's family is ranked at 19th place in the world. The Ambanis own the most expensive house in the world - Antilia, a 27 storey building in South Mumbai priced at a whopping $1 billion. While many are still in business today, others have closed their doors, leaving behind massive fortunes to be passed down through the generations.
Estimated Wealth: $94 billion
Company: Reliance Industries
Wertheimer Family
The Wertheimer family are the French descendants of fashion mogul Pierre Wertheimer, his wife Germaine Revel, and their children Alain and Gerard. The family amassed its fortune when Pierre founded the beauty empire, Chanel. The company was started more than 100 years ago by Coco Chanel.
Estimated Wealth: $62 billion
Company: Chanel
Johnson Family
The Johnson family remains in control of Fidelity Investments, the fund giant founded by patriarch Edward C. Johnson II in 1946. The company now has $2.7 trillion in managed assets. Eldest daughter Abigail runs the money manager's philanthropic arm, while son Edward "Ned" III chairs the investment firm. Sister Elizabeth was on the board of Fidelity's mutual funds until last year after a reported power struggle with her brother and is now the CEO of Art Collectors' Auction House Sotheby's.
Estimated Wealth: $610 billion
Company: Fidelity Investments
Thomson Family
The Thomson family's wealth is founded on media conglomerate Thomson Reuters, which operates in more than 100 countries and employs over 50,000 people. The company was founded by Ken Thomson, the father of David Thomson, who currently serves as Chairman. Both the father and son are very private, and apart from David serving on various boards for cultural institutions in Canada, not much is known about their lives.
Estimated Wealth: $61 billion
Company: Thomson Reuters
Boehringer, von Baumbach Families
The Germany-based Boehringer Ingelheim is one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. Majority is owned by powerful sisters Greta, Corinna, and Sabine von Baumbach.
The Boehringer family and the von Baumbach family are heirs to the Boehringer Ingelheim pharmaceutical empire. The Boehringer split majority control of the firm in 1952 when brothers Albert and Hans took leadership of the family business. The family owns a 46% stake in the company. The von Baumbach clan inherited their shares when Count August von Baumbach, a great-grandson of company founder Albert Boehringer, died in 2012 and left his holdings to his daughter Claudia, a Swiss masseuse.
Estimated Wealth: $59 billion
Company: Boehringer Ingelheim
FAQs
Who is the wealthiest family of all time?
The Walton family is the leading family with at least an accumulated wealth of $228 billion. They are the owners of a famous Walmart. Their wealth has increased over the years since they started extending their branches to more than 28 countries.
