No matter how much money you have, it’s usually more fun and easier to
keep an eye on super-rich folks—whether you look up to them, feel a bit
jealous, or maybe even resent them—than dealing with things like finding a
home loan, checking out online brokers, or studying finance and economics.
keep an eye on super-rich folks—whether you look up to them, feel a bit
jealous, or maybe even resent them—than dealing with things like finding a
home loan, checking out online brokers, or studying finance and economics.
The fascination with wealthy families comes from a culture that really
admires money and puts rich people on a pedestal. Those big shots in
business are like celebrities to many, and everyone watches closely to see
if they can (or can’t) stay in that top-tier position.
admires money and puts rich people on a pedestal. Those big shots in
business are like celebrities to many, and everyone watches closely to see
if they can (or can’t) stay in that top-tier position.
This list only includes families who originally earned their fortunes
through business, even if some of the current heirs enjoy the family money
without ever really working for it.
through business, even if some of the current heirs enjoy the family money
without ever really working for it.
Highlights
-
The Al Nahyan family holds the top spot as the richest family
globally with $305 billion. They are involved in oil, politics, and
royalty. -
The Waltons are the second richest family, with an estimated $259.7
billion, mainly from their significant stake in Walmart.In 2023, the
Al Nahyan family surpassed the Waltons to become the top-ranking
family in terms of wealth. -
The Hermès family, dealing in scarves, neckties, perfumes, and
handbags, is the third-richest family with a wealth of $150.9
billion. -
The Mars family, in its fourth generation, manages the Mars candy
company and is the fourth wealthiest, with a fortune of $160
billion. -
This list focuses exclusively on families and does not include
individual billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk.
1. Al Nahyan Family
Estimated Wealth: $305 billion
Company: Abu Dhabi Royal Family
The Al Nahyan family, also known as the “House of Nahyan,” holds the title
for being the wealthiest family globally. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al
Nahyan, the family’s head, serves as the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the
President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The UAE’s economic landscape, along with the financial status of its leaders
and royal families, has been greatly influenced by the abundant oil reserves
in the country. Among the emirates, Abu Dhabi stands out as one of the
richest, especially due to its significant oil wealth.
2. Walton Family
Estimated Wealth: $259.7 billion
Company: Walmart
The Waltons hold the position as the second-richest family globally.
Jim, Rob, and Alice Walton, leading the family, each have a net worth of
approximately $57 billion. On Forbes’ billionaire list as of December
24, 2023, they are ranked 19th, 20th, and 21st, respectively.
Jim, Rob, and Alice Walton, leading the family, each have a net worth of
approximately $57 billion. On Forbes’ billionaire list as of December
24, 2023, they are ranked 19th, 20th, and 21st, respectively.
Walmart, the retail giant, was established by Sam Walton in Arkansas in
1962. It secured its place as the world’s largest company by revenues in
fiscal year 2022, boasting $611 billion in revenues and employing over
2.1 million associates worldwide.
1962. It secured its place as the world’s largest company by revenues in
fiscal year 2022, boasting $611 billion in revenues and employing over
2.1 million associates worldwide.
3. Hermès Family
Estimated Wealth: $150.9 billion
Company: Hermès
The renowned French fashion house and luxury brand Hermès has
captivated the world with its distinctive scarves, neckties, and
perfumes, along with its iconic Kelly and Birkin handbags. In the 19th
century, Thierry Hermès crafted riding apparel for the
aristocracy.
captivated the world with its distinctive scarves, neckties, and
perfumes, along with its iconic Kelly and Birkin handbags. In the 19th
century, Thierry Hermès crafted riding apparel for the
aristocracy.
In the present day, Hermès extends its influence to dress basketball
royalty, including LeBron James. The company combines traditional and
modern technology, offering Hermès Apple Watches priced at $1,249 and
above. Axel Dumas holds the position of the company’s executive
director, while Pierre-Alexis Dumas serves as the artistic executive
vice president.
royalty, including LeBron James. The company combines traditional and
modern technology, offering Hermès Apple Watches priced at $1,249 and
above. Axel Dumas holds the position of the company’s executive
director, while Pierre-Alexis Dumas serves as the artistic executive
vice president.
4. Mars Family
Estimated Wealth: $141.9 billion
Company: Mars Incorporated
Mars is like the Walmart of the candy world – a family business that
has been popular for generations. Nowadays, the company is more famous
for producing M&Ms than its own Mars bar. In 2017, the world’s
largest candy company expanded its reach by acquiring VCA, a pet care
company, for $9.1 billion.
has been popular for generations. Nowadays, the company is more famous
for producing M&Ms than its own Mars bar. In 2017, the world’s
largest candy company expanded its reach by acquiring VCA, a pet care
company, for $9.1 billion.
Jacqueline and John Mars, siblings whose grandfather, Frank Mars,
started the company, both have a net worth of $38.3 billion. As of
December 24, 2023, they are jointly ranked at No. 31 on Forbes’
billionaire list. The company is currently in the hands of their
children, representing the fourth generation of Mars family
members.
started the company, both have a net worth of $38.3 billion. As of
December 24, 2023, they are jointly ranked at No. 31 on Forbes’
billionaire list. The company is currently in the hands of their
children, representing the fourth generation of Mars family
members.
5. Al Thani Family
Estimated Wealth: $133 billion
Company: Royal Family of Qatar
The Al Thani family has been in charge of Qatar since the mid-19th
century, leading the country through its formation, wars, and two
attempted coups.
century, leading the country through its formation, wars, and two
attempted coups.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani played a significant role in
transforming Qatar into a major global power during his 18-year rule. He
took control of Qatar by peacefully overthrowing his father in 1995,
freezing his father’s assets to prevent any potential
counter-coups.
transforming Qatar into a major global power during his 18-year rule. He
took control of Qatar by peacefully overthrowing his father in 1995,
freezing his father’s assets to prevent any potential
counter-coups.
6. Koch Family
Estimated Wealth: $127.3 billion
Company: Koch Industries
Charles Koch accumulated his immense wealth through an oil business
established by his father. However, he is now more widely recognized for
his involvement in politics. Koch utilizes his significant financial
resources to influence the political landscape, supporting candidates,
libertarian think tanks, funding university professorships, and advocating
for policy positions. All these efforts are directed towards advancing a
conservative agenda.
established by his father. However, he is now more widely recognized for
his involvement in politics. Koch utilizes his significant financial
resources to influence the political landscape, supporting candidates,
libertarian think tanks, funding university professorships, and advocating
for policy positions. All these efforts are directed towards advancing a
conservative agenda.
7. Al Saud Family
Estimated Wealth: $112 billion
Company: Saudi Royal Family
The Saudi royal family, known as the House of Saud, has a monarchical
legacy that spans almost a century. Their substantial wealth, valued at
around $112 billion, has increased over the years due to payments from the
Royal Diwan, the king’s executive office.
legacy that spans almost a century. Their substantial wealth, valued at
around $112 billion, has increased over the years due to payments from the
Royal Diwan, the king’s executive office.
8. Ambani Family
Estimated Wealth: $89.9 billion
Company: Reliance Industries
Reliance Industries, an Indian industrial conglomerate and the sole
Asian company in our list, may not be as familiar to the general public.
Asian company in our list, may not be as familiar to the general public.
However, CEO Mukesh Ambani, whose father established the company in
1957, ranks ninth on Forbes’ billionaires list as of December 25, 2023,
with a net worth of $83.4 billion. He oversees the company’s operations
in refining, petrochemicals, oil, gas, and textiles. Meanwhile, his
brother Anil manages telecommunications, asset management,
entertainment, and power generation.
1957, ranks ninth on Forbes’ billionaires list as of December 25, 2023,
with a net worth of $83.4 billion. He oversees the company’s operations
in refining, petrochemicals, oil, gas, and textiles. Meanwhile, his
brother Anil manages telecommunications, asset management,
entertainment, and power generation.
9. Wertheimer Family
Estimated Wealth: $89.6 billion
Company: Chanel
The iconic French high-fashion brand Chanel is renowned for its timeless
creations, including the classic “little black dress,” the No. 5
perfume, and the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away on
February 19, 2019, as reported by Vogue.
creations, including the classic “little black dress,” the No. 5
perfume, and the late designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away on
February 19, 2019, as reported by Vogue.
Currently, brothers Alain and Gerhard Wertheimer jointly own the
company, having inherited it from their grandfather, who partnered with
the founder, Gabrielle Coco Chanel. Both brothers hold the 41st position
on the Forbes billionaires list, each with a net worth of $31.6 billion
as of December 25, 2023.
company, having inherited it from their grandfather, who partnered with
the founder, Gabrielle Coco Chanel. Both brothers hold the 41st position
on the Forbes billionaires list, each with a net worth of $31.6 billion
as of December 25, 2023.
10. Thomson Family
Estimated Wealth: $71.1 billion
Company: Thomson Reuters
The Thomson family amasses its wealth through Thomson Reuters, a
media company. Their journey began in the 1930s when Roy Thomson
initiated a radio station in Ontario, Canada, before expanding into
newspapers.
media company. Their journey began in the 1930s when Roy Thomson
initiated a radio station in Ontario, Canada, before expanding into
newspapers.
David Thomson, the grandson of Roy Thomson, currently serves as the
chairman of Thomson Reuters. As of December 25, 2023, he holds the
22nd position on Forbes’ billionaires list, boasting a net worth of
$54.4 billion.
chairman of Thomson Reuters. As of December 25, 2023, he holds the
22nd position on Forbes’ billionaires list, boasting a net worth of
$54.4 billion.
Which 10 Families Are the Wealthiest and What are the richest
family in the world?
| Family | Wealth (in billions) |
|---|---|
| The Al Nahyan family | $305 billion |
| The Walton family | $259.7 billion |
| The Hermès family | $150.9 billion |
| The Mars family | $141.9 billion |
| The Al Thani family | $133 billion |
| The Koch family | $127.3 billion |
| The Al Saud family | $112 billion |
| The Ambani family | $89.9 billion |
| The Wertheimer family | $89.6 billion |
| The Thomson family | $71.1 billion |
What Is the Richest Family on Earth?
As per Bloomberg, in 2023, the Al Nahyan family is recognized as the
wealthiest family globally, with an estimated wealth of $305 billion.
wealthiest family globally, with an estimated wealth of $305 billion.
Who has the most money in the world?
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and the proprietor of X, holds the title of the wealthiest individual globally, with a net worth of $229 billion. Following Musk is Bernard Arnault, the chairman of LVMH.
Who Are the Wealthiest People in the World?
As of December 25, 2023, the three wealthiest individuals globally are Bernard Arnault, the chairman of LVMH, Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, and Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.
Conclusion
This list of affluent families emphasizes those who amassed their wealth by initiating a family business. Certain family businesses, such as Walmart, are presently publicly traded. Meanwhile, others like Mars Incorporated and Koch Industries remain privately held family businesses.
Source: Bloomberg
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