To be named as one of the 10 Wealthiest Families in the World is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you’ll get recognition and respect. On the other hand, you become an easy target for people who want your money. These families are no strangers to that, and they have learned over the years to choose their battles.
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With so much wealth in their bank accounts, these clans can afford sending their kids and grandkids to the most expensive day-care in New York City or the most luxurious 18th birthday cruise. But what’s really interesting to know is not how they spend their money but how they’ve amassed their wealth and kept it within their bloodline.
We have combined and curated Forbes’ list of wealthiest American families and MSN Money’s list of world’s richest families. These families are ranked and graded according to their estimated net worth (30 points) and longevity in the business (20 points). This list takes into consideration how long these families have maintained their wealth thus overnight millionaires and billionaires are excluded.
Let’s find out who made it to the 10 wealthiest families in the world!
10. Hearst Family (USA) – 33 points
The Hearst family empire was built on 1887 when founder William Randolph Hearst started the mass media empire with the acquisition of the San Francisco Daily Examiner. The family’s main source of wealth is the publishing conglomerate Hearst Corporation, which is headquartered in New York. With 66 family members to date, the Hearst family’s current net worth is $32 billion.
The family currently owns 49 newspapers including the San Francisco Chronicle, Times Union, Houston Chronicle, Connecticut Post, and more. They also own around 340 magazines including Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, O (The Oprah Magazine), Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Seventeen, Esquire, and more. The Hearst family also have television and cable investments including a 50% stake at A&E Networks, which handles History Channel, Lifetime, Crime and Investigation Network, and more. They also own 20% of ESPN Inc. The family has also invested in online media outlets such as BuzzFeed and Vice.
The Hearst family is no stranger to the limelight, too. In 1956, William Randolph Hearst Jr. became a Pulitzer Prize winner in Journalism under the category of International Reporting when he and two other journalists published a series of exclusive interviews with the Soviet Union leaders. In 1974, Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army and was rescued by the FBI after 19 months. Not to mention the messy divorce between the late John “Bunky” Hearst Jr. and his wife Barbara back in 2009 that revealed some of the family’s secrets.
9. Cox Family (USA) – 35 points
With a current net worth of $34.5 billion, the Cox family is the owner of a media conglomerate that started in 1898. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Their fortune mainly stems from the diversified media company Cox Enterprises, which includes their cable TV and broadband arm Cox Communications and their newspaper, radio, and TV arm Cox Media Group. The family recently added Cox Automotive to their growing portfolio.
Founded by James Cox, the tight-knit family comprises three family members. Cox purchased the Dayton Evening News in 1898 and their media empire grew from there. Cox Communications is the third largest U.S. cable TV company, serving 6.2 million residential and commercial customers. The family recently acquired DealerTrack, a software developer for car dealerships, for $4 billion. Cox Enterprises owns AutoTrader.com, Manheim car auctions, and Kelley Blue Book.
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8. Bernard Arnault and Family (France) – 37 points
When you talk about luxury brands and taste-makers, Bernard Arnault and his family come out on top of the list. The 66-year-old Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton is married to Helene Mercier and has five children. The clan’s current net worth is $37.7 billion. The Arnault family has an empire of 70 luxury brands with 3,700 retail stores.
Some of the high-end brands they manage include Fendi, Louis Vuitton, Dom Perignon, Sephora, Celine, Emilio Pucci, Marc Jacobs, Nicholas Kirkwood, and Givenchy. The family also acquired the textile company Boussac, which owned Christian Dior and the department store Le Bon Marché. The Arnaults also invested in jewelry lines such as TAG Heuer, Bulgari, and De Beers.
7. Liliane Bettencourt and Family (France) – 39 points
Known as the richest woman in Europe, Liliane Bettencourt and her family is worth $42.7 billion. Her father Eugene Eugène Schueller founded L’Oreal in 1907. Bettencourt is no longer managing the cosmetics empire as she is currently suffering from mixed dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The 93-year-old widow has relinquished her famous beauty line to her daughter Françoise Bettencourt Meyers and grandchildren. Her 25-year-old grandson Jean-Victor Meyers took her place in the company’s board.
Bettencourt and her daughter made headlines when the mother and daughter got into multiple legal battles. In 2007, Françoise sued François-Marie Banier, a French writer and society photographer, for “abus de faiblesse” (i.e. the exploitation of a physical or psychological weakness for personal gain). She claimed that Banier was taking advantage of her mom’s condition. When it was proven that he was conning Bettencourt, the mother and daughter reconciled and Banier was removed from her will.
6. Cargill-Macmillan Family (USA) – 40 points
With a net worth of $45 billion, the Cargill-Macmillan family is the clan with the most number of billionaires—14. Cargill Incorporated was founded in 1865 and is currently the largest private company in the United States. Known as the global leader in the food processing industry, Cargill is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The company’s thrust is providing food, agriculture, financial, and industrial products and services across the globe. They work with farmers, consumers, communities, and governments in 68 countries. Backed by 150 years of experience, Cargill has been committed to feeding the world, improving communities, and reducing environmental footprint. The family also ventured in financial risk management and solutions.
5. Carlos Slim Helu and Family (Mexico) – 43 points
Carlo Slim Helu is the richest man in Mexico and is often referred to as the “Warren Buffet of Mexico.” The Helu family has an estimated net worth of $77.1 billion. The main source of his wealth is his telecom company America Movil, which currently has 300 million landline and mobile phone subscribers with a presence in 19 countries. The 75-year-old widow has six children, four of which are actively helping in the business.
Helu owns over 200 companies in Mexico which are known as “Slimlandia.” The family owns Sanborns, the country’s biggest restaurant chain and retail outlet. Their portfolio includes Volaris airline, Inbursa bank, Sears Mexico, hotels, mining company, insurance and construction firms, bottling company, financial group, and real estate. The astute businessman is also investing in oil production contracts in Mexico and currently acquiring assets in Spain.
4. Mars Family (USA) – 44 points
There’s money in candy. The Mars family founded the largest candy company in the world in 1911. Their current net worth is $80 billion. The company’s headquarters are in McLean, Virginia. Siblings John, Jacqueline, and Forrest Jr. own 100% of the candy company. Their father Forrest Sr. joined their grandfather Frank in 1929. It was a historic year for the family as they created malt-flavored nougat that became the ingredient for Snickers and Milky Way.
The iconic Mars bar was manufactured in 1932 in Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom. Three Musketeers was also created in the same year. A few years later, Maltesers and M&Ms hit the market. They also acquired Dove chocolate. Mars is the first global company to implement sustainable cocoa farming practices. In 2008, they bought gum producer Wrigley Jr. Company for $23 billion cash. The family also ventured in pet care, owning leading pet food brands like Pedigree and Whiskas.
3. Koch Family (USA) – 45 points
Ranking third in the 10 wealthiest families in the world, the Koch Family started their conglomerate under the helm of patriarch Fred Koch in 1925. Currently being managed by sons Charles and David, the Koch empire is now worth $86 billion. It is the second biggest private company that generates over $100 billion in sales. Koch Industries is headquartered in Wichita, Kansas. They amassed their riches through oil, refineries, manufacturing, trading, and other investments.
Their other siblings, William and Frederick Koch, sold their respective shares in the family business reportedly for $700 million. They wanted to ask for more and filed a lawsuit accordingly. A settlement was reached but the net worth of William and Frederick is only a fraction of Charles’ and David’s. Known to be connected to conservative groups, Charles and David have stated that they will spend a lot on the upcoming 2016 elections.
2. Walton Family (USA) – 48 points
The founders of Walmart have been a mainstay in every billionaire list in the world. With a fortune worth $149 billion, brothers Sam and James Walton’s family founded the retail company in 1962. Walmart is currently headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The six members of the Walton family own 54% of the company’s shares. Rob Walton already stepped down as Chairman of Walmart and was replaced by son-in-law Greg Penner.
Despite the many attempts to disparage the company’s reputation, the company’s earnings remain unaffected with a reported $486 billion in the 2015 fiscal year. As of August 2015, the company has 5,249 retail stores in the United States alone. Walmart employs more than 1.4 million people in America. Meanwhile, Walmart International has 5,651 stores in 27 countries as of 2012.
1. The House of Saud (Saudi Arabia) – 50 points
When you can say you own an entire country, you are definitely the richest man in the world. The Al Saud family’s net worth is currently at $1.4 trillion. They have been in power since the 18th century. They view the Kingdom as a “totally owned family asset.” is the reigning monarch following the passing of his half-brother Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Most of the clan’s wealth come from personal and state funds amassed from their lucrative government positions. Valuable land allocations, allotments of crude oil, segmental controls in the Kingdom’s economy, major contracts, cash handouts, and extremely big monthly allowances are all part of their growing financial portfolio. The 79-year-old king prospered and urbanized Riyadh, the country’s capital, during his 48-year tenure as governor of the now thriving city.
The 10 wealthiest families in the world have made significant contributions to our society today. Most of them have brought about employment and economic turnarounds in their respective countries and even around the world. We may not know them personally but what they’ve done have impacted our lives in one way or another. Their success is not only for the business world to see but also for individuals like us who can draw insights and inspiration from them.
