There are numerous industries in the world that were started years back and have today become a prominent name in their respective fields. These industries started generations ago, have been then handed down to members of the family adding on to their wealth ten folds.
While it is true that hard work is all that is required to succeed in life, inherited family fortune does the trick as well.
Bloomberg has released the list of the 25 richest families in the world. Out of those here are the top 10 names and the accumulated wealth they possess.
1. Walton
As per Statista, the Walmart brand was valued at approximately 93.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. This was an increase on the prior year’s valuation of 77.5 billion U.S. dollars.
Walmart is one of the leading retail brands in the world and one of the topmost valuable brands globally. The Walton family sold some of their company’s stock and now owns just under 50% making them collectively the richest family in the world.
Wealth: $238.2 Billion
2. Mars
The Mars family owns Mars Inc. which is one of the world’s largest candy and pet food companies. In 2020, the company has recorded sales of $40 billion. Some family members work at the company and serve on the board of directors.
Wealth: $141.9 Billion
3. Koch
The Koch family is best known for their political activities and their control of Koch Industries which is the largest privately-owned company in the United States.
Wealth: $124.4 Billion
4. Hermès
Six generations down the line, the Hermès family and brand is now known for its exclusive Parisian fashion house. At the head of Hermès, there are currently two cousins from the family, Pierre-Alexis and Axel Dumas. Both of them are also co-chairmen of the brand.
Wealth: $111.6 Billion
5. Al Saud
The House of Saud is the ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia. It is composed of the descendants of Muhammad bin Saud, founder of the Emirate of Diriyah, known as the First Saudi state, and his brothers though the ruling faction of the family is primarily led by the descendants of Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman, the modern founder of Saudi Arabia.
Wealth: $100 Billion
6. Ambani
Dhirubhai Ambani, the father of Mukesh and Anil, started building the precursor to Reliance Industries in 1957. Mukesh Ambani is now at the helm of the Mumbai-based conglomerate, which owns the world’s largest oil refining complex. He lives in a 27-story mansion that’s been called the world’s most expensive private residence.
Wealth: $93.7 Billion
7. Wertheimer
Alain and Gerard Wertheimer are the co-owners of the luxury brand Chanel and are amongst the 10 richest people living in France.
Wealth: $61.8 Billion
8. Johnson (Fidelity)
Fidelity, a multinational financial services corporation based in Boston, has had Abigail Pierrepont Johnson, granddaughter of Edward C. Johnson II (the founder), as its president since 2014. She is also the chairman of its international sister company Fidelity International.
Wealth: $61.2 Billion
9. Thomson
As per Forbes, David Thomson and his family control a media and publishing empire founded by his grandfather Roy Thomson. The family’s biggest holding: more than 320 million shares of Thomson Reuters, where Thomson serves as chairman. The family also holds a stake in telecom giant Bell Canada and owns the Toronto-based Globe and Mail newspaper.
Wealth: $61.1 Billion
10. Boehringer, Von Baumbach
Boehringer Ingelheim is a German pharmaceuticals company with more than 130 years of history. The Boehringer family, along with the von Baumbachs, remain in control of the company several generations later.
Wealth: $59.2 Billion
