It’s a common fascination to peek into the lives of the ultra-rich. Whether it’s through admiration, curiosity, or perhaps a touch of envy, tracking the world’s wealthiest families is a captivating pastime. It certainly requires less effort than navigating the complexities of personal finance! Our culture often idolizes wealth, turning those at the pinnacle of business into figures of celebrity. Their ability to maintain, or sometimes falter from, their elite status is constantly under scrutiny.
This exploration delves into families who have built their colossal fortunes through business ventures, excluding inherited royal wealth (though some families on this list have royal connections through their countries’ resources).
Key Highlights:
- The Walton family reigns supreme as the Richest Family On Earth, boasting a staggering wealth exceeding $430 billion.
- Luxury fashion powerhouse Hermès family secures the fourth spot with a fortune of $170.6 billion.
- Royal families from Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia are prominently featured, largely due to their nations’ vast oil reserves.
- The Mars family, now in its fourth generation and managing a $133 billion empire, continues to dominate the candy industry with Mars Incorporated.
- It’s important to note that this list focuses solely on family wealth, and does not include individual billionaires like Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk.
The Walton Family
Estimated Wealth: $432.4 Billion
Company: Walmart
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The Waltons have once again claimed the title of the richest family in the world, recently surpassing the Al Nahyan family in 2023. At the helm of this retail giant are Jim, Rob, and Alice Walton, each holding individual fortunes estimated around $75 billion as of December 24, 2023, according to Forbes‘ billionaire rankings. They are positioned at No. 18, 19, and 21 respectively on that prestigious list.
Walmart, the brainchild of Sam Walton, established in Arkansas in 1962, has become a global retail behemoth. In fiscal year 2024, it stands as the world’s largest company by revenue, generating $648 billion and employing over 2.1 million associates worldwide.
As of February 2025, Walmart operates a massive network of over 10,600 retail stores globally, with 5,206 locations within the United States alone.
Renowned for its sprawling big-box stores across rural and suburban America, Walmart is both lauded for its affordable prices and criticized for its labor practices. Interestingly, unlike its competitor Target, Walmart has struggled to replicate its big-box consumer model within the urban landscape of New York City.
The Al Nahyan Family
Estimated Wealth: $323.9 Billion
Company: Abu Dhabi Royal Family
The Al Nahyan family, also known as the “House of Nahyan,” secures its place as the second richest family globally. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the family’s head, holds significant positions as the ruler of Abu Dhabi and the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The UAE’s economy, and consequently the wealth of its rulers and royal families, has been fundamentally shaped by the country’s extensive oil reserves. Abu Dhabi stands out as one of the wealthiest emirates, particularly rich in oil.
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Sheikh Mohamed ascended to ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE in 2022, succeeding his brother, Sheikh Khalifa, who led the country from 2004 to 2022. Prior to that, their father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, served as the nation’s President from its inception in 1971 until 2004, establishing a dynastic succession.
The Al Nahyan family’s immense wealth is rooted in their ownership of vast oil reserves, coupled with highly lucrative wealth funds. This combination of natural resources and shrewd financial management has solidified their position among the wealthiest families in the world.
The Al Thani Family
Estimated Wealth: $172.9 Billion
Company: Royal Family of Qatar
The Al Thani family’s rule over Qatar stretches back to the mid-19th century. Their reign has spanned the formation of modern Qatar, navigated through wars, and weathered two coup attempts, marking a long and impactful history.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani played a pivotal role in transforming Qatar into a significant global power during his 18-year tenure. He assumed complete control of Qatar in 1995 by peacefully deposing his father in a bloodless coup, strategically freezing his father’s assets to prevent any counter-actions.
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Under his leadership, Qatar’s natural gas production experienced exponential growth due to the exploitation of offshore gas fields and the discovery of previously untapped oil reserves. By 2010, the nation’s average income per person reached an impressive $86,440 annually.
Beyond the revenues generated from oil and gas, Sheikh Hamad strategically invested billions in diverse businesses, including prominent names like Volkswagen, Total, Sainsbury’s, and Barclays bank. In 2018, Sheikh Hamad abdicated the throne to his fourth son, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad al Thani, continuing the family’s dynastic leadership into the next generation.
The Hermès Family
Estimated Wealth: $170.6 Billion
Company: Hermès
The French luxury brand Hermès has captivated the world with its exquisite and iconic products, ranging from signature scarves and neckties to perfumes and the highly coveted Kelly and Birkin handbags. Tracing back to its 19th-century origins, Thierry Hermès began by crafting riding apparel for the aristocracy, establishing a legacy of luxury and craftsmanship.
Today, Hermès extends its reach to dress contemporary icons like basketball star LeBron James, showcasing its ability to blend tradition with modern appeal. Demonstrating this fusion of heritage and innovation, Hermès collaborates with Apple to produce Hermès Apple Watches, with prices starting at $1,249 and above, appealing to both tech-savvy and luxury consumers. Currently, Axel Dumas serves as the company’s executive director, while Pierre-Alexis Dumas holds the position of artistic executive vice president, guiding Hermès into the future while honoring its esteemed past.
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The Koch Family
Estimated Wealth: $148.5 Billion
Company: Koch Industries
Charles Koch’s immense wealth originates from an oil business established by his father. However, he is perhaps more widely recognized for his significant influence in politics. He has channeled his substantial resources into supporting candidates and libertarian think tanks, funding university professorships, and lobbying for policy changes, all aimed at advancing a conservative agenda.
Charles Koch partnered with his brother David until David’s passing in 2019. Charles’s personal net worth is estimated at $58.5 billion, ranking him 25th on the Forbes‘ billionaires list. David’s widow, Julia Koch, and her family are positioned at 23rd place with a net worth of $64.3 billion as of February 15, 2025, reflecting the continued financial strength of the Koch family.
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The Al Saud Family
Estimated Wealth: $140 Billion
Company: Saudi Royal Family
The House of Saud, the royal family of Saudi Arabia, boasts a monarchical lineage that extends back nearly a century. Their colossal fortune, estimated at $140 billion, has accumulated over decades through payments from the Royal Diwan, the king’s executive office.
Their close ties with Saudi Aramco, one of the world’s most profitable companies and a dominant force in the oil industry, ensure the Saudi royal family’s continued wealth accumulation. Accurately assessing the total wealth of the House of Saud is challenging, partly because the family encompasses as many as 15,000 extended members. Many of these members have established their own businesses, secured government contracts, and engaged in various other wealth-generating activities, making the full extent of their collective fortune difficult to quantify precisely.
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The Mars Family
Estimated Wealth: $133.8 Billion
Company: Mars Incorporated
Mars is to the candy world what Walmart is to retail—a multigenerational family business that is both ubiquitous and immensely popular. While the company is named after its iconic Mars bar, it is arguably more famous today for producing M&Ms. In a move towards diversification, the world’s largest candy company expanded its portfolio in 2017 with the acquisition of VCA, a pet care company, for $9.1 billion.
Siblings Jacqueline and John Mars, grandchildren of founder Frank Mars, each possess a net worth of $38.5 billion, placing them in a tie at No. 35 on Forbes‘ list of billionaires as of February 15, 2025. The company’s leadership is now transitioning to the fourth generation of Mars family members, ensuring the continuation of family influence and management.
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Billionaire Boom
In 2024, the global billionaire count reached a record high of 2,781 individuals, highlighting an unprecedented accumulation of wealth worldwide.
The Ambani Family
Estimated Wealth: $99.6 Billion
Company: Reliance Industries
Reliance Industries, an Indian industrial conglomerate, is the sole Asian company featured on this list, and may be less familiar to a Western audience.
Nevertheless, CEO Mukesh Ambani, whose father founded the company in 1957, ranks ninth on Forbes‘ billionaires list with a net worth of $90.3 billion as of February 15, 2025. He oversees Reliance’s diverse operations in refining, petrochemicals, oil, gas, and textiles. His brother, Anil, manages other significant sectors including telecommunications, asset management, entertainment, and power generation, demonstrating the broad scope of the Ambani family’s business interests.
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The Wertheimer Family
Estimated Wealth: $88 Billion
Company: Chanel
The French high-fashion house Chanel is iconic for its timeless “little black dress,” the legendary No.5 perfume, and the late, influential designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away on February 19, 2019.
Brothers Alain and Gerhard Wertheimer now co-own Chanel, a company their grandfather helped establish with founder Gabrielle Coco Chanel. Both brothers are ranked 40th on the Forbes billionaires list, each with a net worth of $36.8 billion as of February 15, 2025, illustrating the enduring legacy and financial success of the Chanel brand under their stewardship.
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The Thomson Family
Estimated Wealth: $87.1 Billion
Company: Thomson Reuters
The Thomson family’s wealth is primarily derived from Thomson Reuters, the multinational media conglomerate. The family’s foray into media began in the 1930s when Roy Thomson launched a radio station in Ontario, Canada, later expanding into newspapers.
Roy Thomson’s grandson, David Thomson, currently serves as the chairman of Thomson Reuters. He is ranked 22nd on Forbes‘ billionaires list with a net worth of $67.8 billion as of February 15, 2025, highlighting the Thomson family’s continued prominence in the media and information industry.
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Who Holds the Title of Richest Family on Earth?
The Walton family unequivocally holds the title of the richest family on earth, with a combined net worth exceeding $432 billion. Their wealth, primarily generated from the retail giant Walmart, dwarfs that of other families on this list.
Top 10 Wealthiest Families in 2025: A Snapshot
Here’s a quick overview of the top 10 richest families in 2025, ranked by estimated wealth:
- Walton Family: $432 billion
- Al Nahyan Family: $323 billion
- Al Thani Family of Qatar: $172 billion
- Hermès Family: $170.6 billion
- Koch Family: $148.5 billion
- Saudi Royal Family: $140 billion
- Mars Family: $133.8 billion
- Ambani Family: $99.6 billion
- Wertheimer Family: $88 billion
- Thomson Family: $87.1 billion
Richest Individuals vs. Richest Families
It’s crucial to differentiate between the wealthiest individuals and the richest families. As of February 15, 2025, the top three richest individuals globally are Elon Musk (CEO of Tesla), Jeff Bezos (founder of Amazon), and Mark Zuckerberg (founder of Facebook). While their individual wealth is immense, this article focuses on the collective wealth amassed by families through generations.
The Enigma of the British Royal Family’s Wealth
The British Royal Family continues to be a source of global fascination. The Windsors’ have accumulated numerous properties, jewels, and art over centuries of rule. However, the exact extent of their wealth remains elusive. Assessing their financial standing is complex due to the vast and historically significant nature of their holdings, coupled with a long-standing tradition of financial secrecy.
The Takeaway
This list provides a glimpse into the world’s wealthiest families, specifically highlighting those who have built their fortunes through family businesses. Some of these businesses, like Walmart, have evolved into publicly traded corporations, while others, such as Mars Incorporated and Koch Industries, remain privately held family enterprises.
In an era marked by increasing global inequality and a shrinking middle class, this list may provoke varied reactions. It could be seen as a celebration of wealth, or conversely, as a stark reminder of economic disparities. Furthermore, at a time when the very future of wealth is being questioned, the focus on immense family fortunes prompts reflection on consumption and sustainability. It’s important to remember that this compilation specifically spotlights family wealth and does not encompass the fortunes of the world’s wealthiest individuals, who represent a different facet of global wealth distribution.
