The richest families in the world own billions, possessing $1.4 trillion in wealth collectively, according to Bloomberg.
This wealth is derived from various industries, including retail, media, agribusiness, technology, and more.
The collective net worth of the Belgian beer-making families behind Anheuser-Busch InBev dropped $16 billion in the past year alone.
As much of the world struggles with the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, many of the world’s richest families are as wealthy as ever.
Bloomberg ranked the families with the richest fortunes across the globe — together, they possess $1.4 trillion in wealth from retail industries, media conglomerates, agribusiness companies, tech giants, and more.
Bloomberg determined its ranking based on net worth figures from July 24, 2020. It didn’t take into account first-generation fortunes, fortunes controlled by a single heir, or fortunes derived primarily from the state. For the purposes of this list, families whose wealth stems from a joint company or enterprise are being considered as a single entry.
10. The Albrecht family
Net worth: $41 billion
Source of wealth: Aldi
Brothers Theo and Karl Albrecht created the discount supermarket Aldi, Bloomberg reported. Today, there are more than 10,000 stores between the two branches, Aldi Nord and Aldi Sud. Theo also invested in Trader Joe’s, transforming it into a chain with more than 350 stores. It’s still owned by the Albrecht family trust.
9. The Boehringer and von Baumbach families
Net worth: $45.7 billion
Source of wealth: Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer and von Baumbach families control German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim, which has been around for more than 130 years, per Bloomberg.
8. The Johnson family
Net worth: $46.3 billion
Source of wealth: Fidelity Investments
The grandfather of Fidelity investments CEO Abigail Johnson founded the privately held investment giant in 1946, per Bloomberg. The Boston-based billionaire shares her fortune with three generations of her family.
7. The Wertheimer family
Net worth: $54.4 billion
Source of wealth: Chanel
The Wertheimer family fortune dates back to 1920s Paris when Pierre Wertheimer funded designer Coco Chanel, Bloomberg reports. His grandsons, brothers Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, control Chanel today, which generated $12.3 billion in revenue last year.
They own vineyards in France and Napa Valley and breed and race thoroughbreds, Business Insider previously reported.
6. The Dumas family
Net worth: $63.9 billion
Source of wealth: Hermès
Luxury goods dynasty Hermès is the basis for the Dumas family fortune. Its origins trace back to the 1800s when Thierry Hermes began making riding gear for noblemen, Bloomberg reported.
Fast forward to the 1970s, and descendant Jean-Louis Dumas took the company global. Today, Pierre-Alexis Dumas is the artistic director and Axel Dumas is the company chairman, according to the Hermès Group’s website.
5. The Ambani family
Net worth: $81.3 billion
Source of wealth: Reliance Industries
The Ambani family’s wealth lies in Reliance Industries, a conglomerate in India that owns the biggest oil refining complex in the world, Business Insider previously reported. It owns businesses all throughout India, including companies in the retail and telecommunications sectors.
Mukesh Ambani, the CEO, lives in a 27-story, 400,000-square-foot mansion in Mumbai.
4. The Al Saud Family
Net Worth: $95 billion
Source of Wealth: oil
The immense wealth of Saudi Arabia’s royal family comes from a combination of proceeds from Saudi Arabia’s oil industry (which the executive office of the King doles out to various family members) and the royals’ personal earnings from negotiating government contracts and other investments, according to Bloomberg.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman alone has assets estimated to be worth more than $1 billion, and has been known to drop millions on mansions and yachts.
3. The Koch family
Net worth: $109.7 billion
Source of wealth: Koch Industries
Brothers Charles and David Koch expanded their father’s oil refinery firm into conglomerate Koch Industries after their other brothers, Frederick and William, left the business following a failed takeover. Koch Industries generates roughly $115 billion in revenue annually.
David Koch passed away in August 2019, leaving his $53 billion fortune to his wife Julia Flesher Koch, Business Insider reported at the time. She is now the fourth-richest woman in the world after L’Oreal heiress Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, MacKenzie (Bezos) Scott, and Walmart heiress Alice Walton.
2. The Mars family
Net worth: $120 billion
Source of wealth: Mars Inc.
Jacqueline and John Mars inherited a stake in the candy empire Mars Inc., which invented M&Ms, Milky Way, and Mars Bars, when their father passed away in 1999. Jacquelyn’s son, Stephen Badger, was formerly chairman and is currently on the board of directors of the privately-held Mars Inc., which brings in more than $38 billion in annual revenue, according to Bloomberg.
1. The Walton family
Net worth: $215 billion
Source of wealth: Walmart
Sam and Bud Walton founded Walmart in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, Business Insider previously reported. Following its success, they founded Sam’s Club in 1983. Walmart reported sales of $514.4 billion in 2018, making it the largest retailer by revenue in the world.
The Walton family fortune is dispersed among three generations of family members, including cofounder Sam Walton’s three children, Rob, Jim, and Alice; who is one of the richest women in the world with a $56.8 billion fortune.
