There are elites among elites, and then there are elites among elites. The world’s wealthiest families have amassed fortunes over decades, if not centuries, the magnitude of which few can ever completely comprehend. The world’s wealthiest households possess more resources than nearly 99 percent of the world’s population.
According to Bloomberg, the 25 wealthiest families on the earth gained $312 billion to their collective fortunes as the pandemic altered the way we live and work, a 22 percent increase since last August.
Their businesses are a part of your life and you probably don’t even realise it, from owning some of the biggest retail brands and banks to hotels, supermarkets, and more. Take a look at some of the world’s wealthiest families and their incredible fortunes.
1. The Walton Family of the US | Fortune: $ 238.2 billion
For the fourth year in a row, the Waltons, the world’s wealthiest family, who run the retail behemoth Walmart in the United States, have topped the list. In the last year, the Waltons’ fortune increased by $23 billion. This year, members of the Walton family sold $6 billion worth of stock. According to Bloomberg, the Waltons family has a net worth of $238.2 billion.
2. The Mars Family of the US | Fortune: $ 141.9 billion
At the age of 19, Frank C. Mars began creating and selling buttercream candy from his kitchen in Tacoma, Washington. Today, the Mars family owns the Mars food company, which includes brands such as Milky Way, M & M’s, Skittles, Snickers, Royal Canin, Whiskas, and Pedigree. The Mars family has a net worth of $ 141.9 billion, according to Bloomberg.
3. The Koch family of the US | Fortune: $ 124.4 billion
In 1940, Fred C. Koch cofounded the Wood River Oil and Refining Enterprise, which became America’s largest private company, Koch Industries. The Koch family is an American business family most known for their political activity and control of Koch Industries, the country’s largest privately held corporation. The Koch family’s net worth is estimated to be $ 124.4 billion, according to Bloomberg.
4. The Dumas Family of France | Fortune: $111.6 billion
This is the family who gave us the wealthy and well-known Hermes. Jean-Louis Dumas founded Hermes, a company that revolutionised the fashion and luxury industries. In the year 1837, Thierry Hermes begins producing gentleman’s riding gear. By the 1950s, his sons-in-law had decided to broaden their horizons and pursue chances in the fashion and luxury industries. The Dumas Family’s net worth is estimated to be $111.6 billion.
5. Al Saud Saudi Royal Family | Fortune: $100 billion
2021 World’s Wealthiest Families | houseofsaud.com
According to Bloomberg’s assessment on the world’s wealthiest families for 2021, the royal family’s aggregate net worth is expected to be approximately $100 billion, making them the wealthiest royal family among all monarchs and one of the wealthiest families in the world.
The Saudi royal family, the House of Saud, has a nearly century-long monarchical heritage. Thanks to decades of payments from the Royal Diwan, the king’s administrative office, the family’s huge fortune, estimated at $100 billion, has increased. Saudi Aramco, the world’s most profitable firm and an oil sector behemoth, ensures the Saudi royal family’s survival.
6. The Ambani Family of India | Fortune: $93.7 billion
Dhirajlal ‘Dhirubhai’ Hirachand Ambani founded Reliance Industries in 1957. Energy, natural resources, textiles, telecommunications, petrochemicals, and other industries are now part of its portfolio. Following Dhirubhai Ambani’s death, his sons Anil Ambani and Mukesh Ambani assumed responsibility for various aspects of the empire. The Ambani family’s net wealth is reported to be $93.7 billion, and Reliance possesses the world’s largest oil processing facility.
7. The Wertheimer Family of France | Fortune: $61.8 billion
In 1924, fashionista Coco Chanel was formed by Pierre Wertheimer for a perfume contract in Paris. After his father died in 1963, his son took over the business. Alain Wertheimer and Gerard Wertheimer are the current owners of Chanel, as well as vineyards and racehorses. The Wertheimer family’s net wealth is currently estimated to be $61.8 billion.
8. The Johnson family of US | Fortune: $61.2 billion
Edward C. Johnson II started the Boston mutual-fund empire in Boston in 1946. Abigail, his granddaughter, now runs the business. The Johnson family has a net worth of $61.2 billion.
9. The Thomson family of Canada | Fortune: $61.1 billion
David Thomson and his family run a media and publishing company that his grandpa Roy Thomson created. Through investment business Woodbridge, the family has nearly a two-thirds stake in financial data and services provider Thomson Reuters. The net wealth of the Thomson family is estimated to be $61.1 billion.
10. Boehringer/Von Baumbach Family | Fortune:$59.2 billion
With a total net worth of $59.2 billion, the Boehringer/Von Baumbach family is the world’s 10th wealthiest family. The Boehringer/Von Baumbach family’s fortune stems from Albert Boehringer’s pharmaceutical company, Boehringer Ingelheim, which was founded in 1885 in Germany.
11. The Cargill-MacMillan Family of the US | Fortune: $51.6 billion
Cargill Inc., a commodities trading company, was founded in 1865 by William Wallace Cargill. When he first launched the company, he simply had a single grain storage facility in Iowa. They are now the largest privately held firm in the United States. Currently, the highest roles are held by family members. The Cargill-MacMillan family has a net worth of $51.6 billion.
