Let's talk about the richest and most influential dynasties in the world. Who are they, how rich are they and in what countries do they live. Below is the top 10 richest families on the planet.

Pritzkers

The Pritzker dynasty has a fortune of $29 billion. This is a well-known clan of capitalists in the United States, belonging to the richest families in the country since 1982. Founder Nicholas Pritzker. The family's assets include the Hyatt hotel chain, banks, airliners, and industrial firms. A couple of years ago, a representative of the James family changed his orientation and name to Jennifer; now in Forbes the name Pritzker can be found in the list of the richest women in America.

Family of the King of Thailand

The Royal Family of Thailand ranks 9th among the world's richest dynasties. Net worth $30 billion. The head of the clan is 89-year-old Bhumibol Adulyadej or King Rama IX. In addition to its core activities, it actively invests in agriculture and nanotechnology. The monarch's hobbies: playing the saxophone, painting and composing symphonies, designing yachts.

Cox Dynasty

Owners of a fortune of $32 billion. Representative - Anne Cox Chambers. Daughter of James Kennedy, nephew of President John. Source of income is media business. The clan's activities began with the purchase of the Dayton Evening News newspaper. Now the family has many organizations involved in cable TV, car sales, and more.

Hearst Dynasty

This family is the owner of a large communications corporation in the world. Their fortune is $35 billion. The media holding publishes thousands of newspapers and magazines every day - 351 well-known publications. The clan also owns 29 channels, which is 1/5 of all American television, which is what Americans watch most often.

Johnsons

The Johnson Dynasty are the founders of the world famous Johnson & Johnson organization. The company is a leader in the production of healthcare products. The transnational holding contains at least 250 organizations engaged in educational, financial and scientific activities around the world. Net worth: $39 billion.

Cargill and Macmillan Dynasty

Owners of a fortune of $43 billion are engaged in agriculture, raw materials, and food products. Conservatives. They live on a ranch. They don't like to be featured in the press.

Mars family

The clan has $60 billion on its balance sheet. These are the owners of very tasty sweet bars that everyone ate: Snickers, M&M's, Milky Way, Mars and many other confectionery products. The Mars are also involved in the production and sale of cat and dog food: Whiskas, Pedigree.

Koch Dynasty

Brothers David and Charles Koch have $80 billion on their balance sheet. They make money from everything: the brothers are the owners of many companies and factories producing pipes, toilet paper, they are shareholders of the world's most famous corporations, engaged in the extraction of oil, gas and others.

Walton family

Owners of a fortune of 152 billion US dollars. Owners of a Wal-Mart business founded in 1962. It is the foremost retail organization worldwide. Supervisor Rob Walton. In their stores you can buy everything you need for life.

Saud family

The richest dynasty, with a huge fortune of 1.4 trillion US dollars, settled in the Middle East. The clan is engaged in oil production and everything connected with it. Family members bask in luxury, but at the same time do not forget about charity, regularly investing funds.

The richest families in the world live in 4 countries. Among them are heirs to huge fortunes, pioneers of the international financial market, dynasties of entrepreneurs and a confectionery manufacturer. One of them is headed by a woman. Two gained wealth through politics and privileged access to resources, and one employs more than 2 million people. Each family has a wealth of at least $34 billion, and two have more than $1 trillion.

1. Rothschild family, Germany

British actress Joanna Lumley with Lord Jacob Rothschild, who received the Prince of Wales Medal for Charity

Net worth ≈ $350 billion – $2 trillion

The richest families in the world cannot do without these people. The surname Rothschild has been associated with international banking since the late 1700s. Mayer Rothschild, who began this dynasty of rich men, was the chosen assistant and financial manager of the German royal family. He used his position in the courts to give great development to banking for the German aristocracy. When his five sons came of age, they were based in Frankfurt, Naples, London, Vienna and Paris, managing the affairs of local banks. From that moment on, the centuries-old financial empire began to flourish.

Due to their relative restraint and isolation in matters of business, the Rothschilds formed an impression of themselves as conspirators and secret sculptors of history. It is difficult to track their assets and capital among their large number of descendants, but it is certain that they are still very rich. It is not for nothing that the family motto “Concordia Integritas Industria” calls for harmony, integrity and providence.

2. Royal House of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia

King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud

Net worth ≈ $1.4 trillion

Although the modern government of Saudi Arabia was formed in 1932, the Al Saud family has maintained an absolute monarchy in the country since the 1700s. Since 2016, the family has been headed by King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud. The state he rules has huge oil reserves, which accounts for the Saudis' enormous wealth.

3. Walton family, USA

Son of founder Sam Walton, chairman of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. Rob Walton, on stage during the AGM

Net worth ≈ $152 billion

Sam Walton has built a retail empire in a relatively short period of time. In the late 1940s and 50s, he gained sales experience in various franchise stores. In July 1962, Walton opened the first store in Rogers, Arkansas, called Walmart, and then Walmart Discount City. Since 2016, the chain has been called Wal-Mart Stores Inc. .

Walton revolutionized the retail industry. The success was brought by an original strategy - to open large stores with a large assortment of goods in small towns where there is no fierce competition. In the process of development, the company began to provide services for the search, selection and delivery of goods.

Sam Walton's six heirs own 54% of Wal-Mart. It is now the largest non-governmental employer in the world, employing approximately 2.1 million people (as of 2015).

4. Koch family, USA

Brothers David and Charles Koch

Net worth ≈ $89 billion

Koch Industries is the second largest private company in the world. It is a multinational conglomerate whose activities include real estate, finance, oil production and refining, consumer goods trading, chemicals and fertilizers.

It all started in 1940, when Frederick Koch launched an oil refinery. Things were going well, but the company's real heyday began in the 1980s, when the business came under the control of his sons Charles and David.

5. Mars Family, USA

Business tycoon. Son of Forrest Mars Sr. and grandson of Frank Mars, founder of the American confectionery company Mars

Net worth ≈ $80 billion

The richest families in the world love the sweet life. Most of these people's wealth comes from the world's largest candy and confectionery corporation, Mars Inc.

The company was founded in 1911 by Franklin Mars. His son Forest Mars became a worthy heir to the confectionery empire, and built on the company's success, including the launch of products such as Mars bars and M&Ms candies.

6. Slim Family, Mexico

Carlos Slim Helu - Mexican businessman of Lebanese origin, son of Maronite emigrants from Lebanon

Net worth ≈ $77 billion

Carlos Slim Helu in 2016 was in fourth place on the list of the richest people on the planet according to Forbes magazine. In the period from 2010 to 2013, he took first place in this ranking. Slim is the founder of Grupo Carso, a holding conglomerate that controls approximately 40% of the Mexican stock exchange (based on total share value). The main leaders of the financial empire are Carlos Slim himself and his sons.

7. Cargill-McMillan family, USA

Cargill CEO and President - Dave McMillan

Net worth ≈ $45 billion

The only private company in the world that is worth more than Koch Industries is Cargill Inc. (American food company). It was founded in 1865 by William Wallace Cargill. The company is 88% owned by the Cargill-McMillan family, which has 14 dollar billionaires. This is more than any other family in the world.

8. Bettencourt Family, France

Liliane Bettencourt with her daughter

Net worth ≈ $42.7 billion

In 1909, a young Franco-German chemist named Eugene Schuller developed a unique hair dye formula. Since Paris was the fashion capital of the world at the time, Eugene had no problem finding a market among wealthy Parisians and hairdressers. As a result, Schuller's business turned into cosmetics market giant L'Oreal. His daughter, Liliane, took control of the company after the death of her father and husband Andre Bettencourt in 2016. And in 2017, the largest cosmetics business was inherited by Liliane's daughter Francoise Bettencourt Myers - the richest woman in the world at the moment.

9. Arnault family, France

Bernard Arnault - French businessman, president of the Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy group of companies

Net worth ≈ $37.7 billion

Another French billionaire family, the Arnaults, are best known as the owners of luxury brands Moet Hennessy, Louis Vuitton and Christian Dior. Family patriarch Bernard Jean Etienne Arnault remains chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton. His two children, Antoine and Delphine, also participate in the administration of the empire.

10. Cox family, USA

James Cox - American politician, 46th and 48th governor of Ohio, US presidential candidate in the 1920 elections

Net worth ≈ $34.5 billion

The last place in the ranking of the richest families in the world is occupied by the surname Cox. They have learned to turn access to government into wealth that can be passed on from generation to generation. James Middleton Cox served two non-consecutive terms as governor of Ohio. In 1920, he took part in an unsuccessful presidential campaign from the Democratic Party.

After his political experiences, he opened several newspapers and built a media brand while remaining close to the Democratic Party and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who chose him as his assistant in 1920. Cox Enterprises is now run by two of James Cox's grandchildren.

First place on the list was taken by the Waltons, heirs of the founder of the world's largest retailer Wal-Mart, Sam Walton. The Waltons' fortune is estimated at $130 billion, a year earlier it was estimated at $149 billion, and in 2014 at $152 billion.

Ranked second on the list Koch family, which controls Koch Industries Corporation, the second largest private company in the United States. The four Koch brothers own a fortune that Forbes estimated at $82 billion (in 2015 - $86 billion). The business was founded by their father and at first specialized in oil refining, but over the years the company has grown into a truly diversified holding. Charles and David are among the top 10 richest people in America and are actively involved in lobbying activities, sponsoring Republicans.

In third place is the Mars family, owners of the world's largest confectionery company, Mars, which produces M&Ms and Snickers. As the magazine calculated, the grandchildren of the founder of Mars Inc. Franklin Clarence Mars - Jacqueline, John and Forrest Mars Jr. have a combined fortune of $78 billion (in 2015 - $80 billion). All three heirs are on the board of directors of the corporation, but are not responsible for operational management. The Mars company was founded in 1911 by the grandfather of the current Mars, Frank Mars, in Tacoma, Washington. Their father, Forrest Sr., entered the family business in 1929, around the same time the company patented a unique recipe for nougat, which is used to make Milky Way and Snickers bars.

Fourth place was taken by the Cargill-McMillan family ($49 billion), which owns an 88% stake in Cargill, one of the largest private companies in the United States, an agricultural business empire engaged in food production, trading in raw materials and providing financial services. The dynasty was founded by William Wallace Cargill, the son of a Scottish captain. He created his first business in 1865 and became rich from the railroad boom of the late 19th century. In 1909, his son-in-law John MacMillan took over the company. Cargill remained a family business until 1995, when John's grandson, Whitney McMillan, left his post as CEO. Today, representatives of the dynasty remain committed to a non-public lifestyle; very little is known about them.

In fifth place is the Cox family with a fortune of $41 billion. James M. Cox bought the Dayton Evening News newspaper in 1898. Today, the company he founded has grown into a family of assets that includes Cox Communications (cable television, broadband), Cox Media Group (newspapers, television, radio), Manheim (car sales) and AutoTrader Group (online car sales, Kelley Blue Book).

Sixth place was taken by the Johnson family ($30 billion), owners of SC Johnson, which produces cleaning products, including Mr. Muscle; in seventh place is the Pritzker family ($29 billion), involved in the hotel business and investments; in eighth place is the family of Edward Johnson ($28.5 billion), founder of the asset management company Fidelity, which grew into the transnational corporation Fidelity Investments; in ninth place is the Hearst family ($28 billion), heirs of publisher William Randolph Hearst, founder of the Hearst media concern. Rounding out the top ten is the Duncan family, heirs of Dan Duncan, founder of the energy company Enterprise Products Partners LP, with a fortune of $21.5 billion.

The combined wealth of members of the richest American families dropped by $11 billion over the year, to $722 billion, Forbes writes. Ten dynasties managed to increase their wealth. The threshold for inclusion in the rating was $10.7 billion. This year, one newcomer made it to the list - the Goldman family, the heirs of developer Saul Goldman. Their fortune is estimated at $13.7 billion.

Relatives are the most reliable business partners. Many dynasties of the world have retained their power precisely because of blood relationships. Today the ZagraNitsa portal will talk about the most famous families on the planet who stick together and thanks to this have influence on the world economy and politics

Rockefellers

The surname Rockefeller has long become a household name and synonymous with wealth. The dynasty was glorified by John Rockefeller, an American entrepreneur who became the first dollar billionaire in human history. At the end of the 19th century, he created the oil company Standard Oil, and already in the 20th century, the activities of the Rockefeller family covered the engineering, food, industrial, insurance and financial sectors. After the death of John Rockefeller, his business was continued by his only son, John Rockefeller Jr., and then by his five grandchildren. The most famous of them was Nelson Rockefeller, an American politician who served as Vice President of the United States.

Photo: businessinsider.com.au

At the beginning of the 21st century, the number of members of the Rockefeller family was about 200 people, and many of them were involved in business and political activities. Nowadays their fortune is estimated at about 10 billion dollars, thanks to which the family does not fall below the 20th line in the ranking of the richest in the world. The Rockefellers remain a dynasty that influenced not only the world economy, but also politics.

Rothschilds

The history of the Rothschild dynasty dates back to the end of the 18th century, and when at the beginning of the 19th century the Austrian Emperor granted them a baronial title, the Rothschilds were ranked among the high society of the Austrian nobility. Even then it was generally accepted that this family owned the largest fortune in the world. It all started with a Jewish boy, Mayer Amschel, from Frankfurt, who first opened an antique shop where he sold coins found in a landfill, and then managed to build a large banking business and create his own empire. His work was continued by 5 sons - he sent them to the financial capitals of the world (London, Paris, Vienna, Naples, Frankfurt am Main), where they controlled five banks. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Rothschilds initiated the creation of the US Federal Reserve System and were even able to control the volume of dollars issued. For centuries, the Rothschilds and Rockefellers shared power, and in 2012 they announced the merger of part of their capital.

Photo: keyword-suggestions.com

Although, like the Rockefellers, the Rothschilds are not among the ten richest in the world today, they still retain their influence. The family still runs the most famous central banks around the world and does business in more than 40 countries. The Rothschilds regularly donate significant sums of money to charity, anonymously donate art to museums and donate huge mansions to states.

Windsors

The Windsor dynasty has ruled in Great Britain since the beginning of the 20th century, and in other countries its members ascended the throne even earlier. For example, in Belgium, the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha dynasty (as the Windsors were called before the First World War) ruled from the very beginning of statehood - since 1831. If we follow traditional genealogy, the Windsor dynasty should have ended with Elizabeth II, and her descendants should have belonged to the dynasty. But in 1952, the Queen signed a proclamation according to which all her heirs would also be considered Windsors.

Photo: ahlanlive.com

Although political power in Great Britain is exercised by Parliament, the monarch is still the head of state. Moreover, the British royal family has earned such devotion from the people that any politician can only envy it. In April of this year, the level of British people's trust in Her Majesty was 74%.

Oppenheimers

The Oppenheimer family is one of the most influential in the world, having once controlled a large share of the global diamond market. The family also owns the largest companies in various fields. The success of the dynasty began with the activities of Ernest Oppenheimer, who managed the diamond mining company De Beers and founded the gold mining corporation Anglo American. During the global crisis in the 1930s, Ernest Oppenheimer began buying up diamond trading markets and by 1950 founded the Central Selling Organization, referred to in the press as the “Syndicate.” The organization led by Oppenheimer controlled 90% of diamond sales worldwide in the mid-20th century. The mined diamonds were delivered to London, where they were processed, sorted into small lots and sent to traders.

Photo: dailymaverick.co.za

After Ernest's death, the business was continued by his son Harry Frederick. He was president of De Beers for almost 30 years and ran Anglo American for a quarter of a century. In 2011, Anglo American bought most of the shares of De Beers, thereby the Oppenheimers almost completely exited the diamond business, while retaining huge capital. Ernest’s grandson Niki is now engaged in business in other areas - investments in trade, healthcare, innovative technologies, etc.

Morgans

The Morgan dynasty is one of the most influential in the United States and in the world. The family became famous in the late 19th and early 20th centuries thanks to its activities in the banking industry. John Pierpont Morgan managed to build the first financial empire in the United States and had a hand in founding companies that continue to exist successfully today. Among them: the General Electric Corporation, which produces various types of equipment, the telecommunications company American Telephone and Telegraph, the financial company Western Union and many others. Morgan and his son John Pierpont Jr. were widely known as major philanthropists. They donated large amounts of money to the arts and the development of science. In particular, John Pierpont financed the Metropolitan Museum of Art and allocated money to Nikola Tesla for the construction of a lighting system in New York.

Photo: en.wikipedia.org

Current members of the Morgan dynasty continue to be involved in the affairs of some of the companies founded by John Pierpont Morgan and work in the field of finance.

Waltons

The Walton family became famous thanks to Sam Walton, who founded the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club retail chains. In the 19th century, Sam Walton was considered the richest man in America for several years in a row, and today his family's fortune is estimated at $150 billion. Already from 7 For years, Sam helped his father run the business, and a few years later he raised birds and rabbits for sale. He later opened his own store, and then a chain of retail supermarkets. Sam Walton earned his first billion at the age of 44.

Photo: lifehealthpro.com

After Sam Walton's death, his business was taken over by his wife and four children, who still run the business successfully. Although the family does not control all of Wal-Mart's shares, they retain the right to participate in decisions about the development of the business.

Ruperts

The Rupert family has every right to be called one of the most influential in the world, since it owns such famous companies as Dunhill, Montblanc, Cartier and Richemont, which manufacture luxury products. The Ruperts also own a wine business together with the Rothschild family. Success came to the family in the middle of the last century, when Anthony Rupert founded the Voorbrand tobacco company. Later it was renamed Rembrandt Ltd, and the range of activities began to include the manufacture of luxury goods: jewelry, clothing and bags.

Photo: bloomberg.com

Nowadays, the post of CEO of Richemont is occupied by Anthony Rupert's son Johan. The company still owns the luxury goods business. The Ruperts also own private hospitals, Medi-Clinic Corporation.

What name comes to mind when you hear the words “richest families”? Rockefeller? You guessed wrong! Trump? Again - by! Gates? You are confusing, we are not asking about the richest people, but about families, dynasties, especially since Bill Gates signed the “giving pledge”, his billions will go to philanthropic purposes, and his descendants will get nothing. Participants in our rating prefer to preserve and increase capital in order to pass it on from generation to generation. These numbers may change, but only slightly.

From L'Oreal owners to generous philanthropists: the richest families on the planet

Bettencourt: the French “beauty factory”

To paint a picture of the origins of the Bettencourt family's billions, you only need one word: "L'Oreal." Back in 1907, this legendary business was started by the chemist Eugene Schullet, and the Frenchman registered his own company two years later. The company began producing hair and skin care products. When Eugene died, his daughter Liliane Bettencourt took over the reins. She is now a very old woman and suffers from senile dementia, so her only daughter and grandson take care of the family company. Betancourt's capital is $36 billion.

The Lous Vuitton brand and more: Arnault and his children

The second participant in our top richest families is also from France. The dynasty's founding father, Bernard Arnault, has his own luxury brand, Lous Vuitton (he is the company's chairman and CEO), but his interests extend much further. Arnault also owns other companies, including Dom Perignon, Cartier and Bulgari. Should I continue? 67-year-old Francois greatly appreciates art and owns $39 billion. The businessman has five children from two wives.

Cokes: American media moguls

In 1898, James M. Cox bought the Dayton Evening News newspaper, and this began the “ascent” of the American media magnate. Today, James' grandchildren have taken over the family business, with a $41 billion fortune divided among the five of them. The empire now includes radio stations, cable television companies and another company (acquired 11 years ago for $4 billion) that creates software for car dealers.

The Cargill-McMillan family has the most billionaires

According to Forbes, one of the richest families, Cargill-MacMillan, includes the most billionaires compared to other participants in this rating: there are 14 of them, the total capital of the clan is $49 billion. Members of this family own the largest private company involved in the bio-industry, agriculture, energy, food and pharmaceutical industries. However, most of the income (about $108 billion) came to the Cargills from agribusiness. W. W. Cargill opened his own business back in 1865, the business developed as railroads were built. In 1909, the owner’s son-in-law John MacMillan took over the family company, after which the company received the double name “Cargill-MacMillan”. The family has not run the corporation since 1995, but they still own 88% of its shares, and six members of the clan hold various positions on the board.

Slim Helu: Mexico's Dominant Clan

Carlos Slim Helu is the richest man in Mexico, ranking fourth on Forbes' list of billionaires this year. He owns a huge amount of money - $47.8 billion, and the Slim Helu family capital is $52 billion. The economic downturn in South America (and in the cellular market) has caused irreparable damage to this dynasty - just a year ago their fortune was 2 times greater. Even despite this, the clan confidently ranks 6th in the top richest families.

Sweet tooth favorites: owners of the Mars company

We're sure you've all bought Mars family candy at least a few times! After all, Milky Way, Snickers and M&M's are popular not only in the homeland of their manufacturers, in America, but throughout the world. Frank Mars began selling candy in 1911, 18 years later his son joined him Forrest: This was the era of the invention of flavored nougat - it became the basis for the best-selling candy Snickers. Today, Mars is a manufacturer of not only confectionery products, but also food for dogs (Royal Canin) and cats (Whiskas), and also delicious sauces. Mars's capital is 78 billion dollars.

Unsinkable Kochs

Oil and gasoline are a win-win option! People always and everywhere need fuel, which is why the Koch family and their private American company Koch Industries own $82 billion. The family business's origins date back to the 1920s when Fred C. Koch developed a new method for converting heavy crude oil into gasoline. Now the company has launched its “tentacles” into many areas: housing, transport, food and fuel production, and even... the production of towel holders with motion sensors.

Wiltons bet on retail

While most of the richest families are scattered and invest money in various types of businesses, the Walton clan is focused only on its mega-project. This is the largest retail chain in the United States, Walmart supermarkets. The income from them is approaching 483 billion dollars, and the family capital has exceeded 130 billion dollars. It all started with Sam Walton and his brother James (“Bud”), who founded the retail business in 1962. After the brothers died, the company passed to Sam's two sons and daughter and Bud's two daughters. Today, the third generation of Waltons is in charge of the business.

Royal dynasty of Saudi Arabia: Al Sauds

The Al Sauds (or House of Saud) have long ruled Saudi Arabia. The legendary family member Muhammad ibn Saud was the founder of the First Saudi State (this was in the 18th century). Now the family has thousands of members, whose capital is not even in billions: the Al-Sauds’ money is 1.4 trillion. dollars. Some members of the ruling royal dynasty are included in the Forbes list of billionaires: for example, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal ranks 41st with a fortune of $19.5 billion. He is the owner of palaces, luxury yachts, works of art, many resorts and the Four Seasons hotel chain.

The Discreet Charm of the Rothschild Trillionaires

If you want 1 trillion. dollars (in hundred bills) were laid out on the ground in piles as tall as you were, you would need an area of ​​almost 2 acres. Imagine how much money that is! Now imagine 10 trillion. dollars is the approximate total capital of the ancient Rothschild family. Even Forbes does not risk calculating the fortune of these bankers, which is why the Rothschilds do not appear on the official lists of the world's richest families. The empire of the Rothschilds, Jews who once lived in Germany, dates back to the 1760s, when Mayer Amschel Rothschild founded his first bank. Decades later, he sent his son to England to expand the family business. Now there are three branches of the banking dynasty: French, English and Austrian (only through the female line). They are known for their philanthropy: once possessing the most extensive collection of world art masterpieces, the Rothschilds made donations to museums, always anonymously.