It’s undeniably captivating to observe the lives and fortunes of the ultra-rich. Whether fueled by aspiration, curiosity, or even a touch of envy, tracking the Wealthiest Families In The World holds a certain fascination, arguably more so than delving into personal finance matters like mortgages or investment strategies. This widespread interest reflects a global culture that often idolizes immense wealth and elevates the rich to celebrity status. The families at the apex of the business world are often subject to intense public scrutiny regarding their ability to maintain, or sometimes squander, their extraordinary fortunes.
This list specifically focuses on families whose wealth originated from business ventures. While some current generations may inherit and manage these vast fortunes without direct contribution to their creation, the foundation of their wealth lies in entrepreneurial success.
Key Highlights:
- The Walton family, associated with Walmart, reigns as the wealthiest family globally, boasting a staggering fortune exceeding $430 billion.
- The Hermès family, synonymous with luxury goods like scarves, ties, perfumes, and iconic handbags, secures its position as the fourth-richest family worldwide, with a net worth of $170.6 billion.
- Royal families from Qatar, Abu Dhabi, and Saudi Arabia feature prominently near the top of this ranking, primarily due to their nations’ substantial oil reserves and energy wealth.
- The fourth generation of the Mars family continues to helm the Mars candy empire, a business valued at $133 billion, maintaining their sweet legacy.
- It’s crucial to note that this compilation concentrates solely on families, and therefore does not encompass the wealthiest individuals globally, such as Jeff Bezos or Elon Musk, who have accumulated their fortunes more individually.
The Walton Family
Estimated Wealth: $432.4 Billion
Company: Walmart
The Walton family once again claims the title of the wealthiest family in the world, reclaiming the top spot from the Al Nahyan family in 2023. Leading the family are Jim, Rob, and Alice Walton, each individually estimated to be worth around $75 billion as of December 24, 2023, according to Forbes‘ billionaire rankings, placing them at No. 18, 19, and 21 respectively.
Walmart stands as a retail titan. Founded by Sam Walton in Arkansas in 1962, Walmart has ascended to become the world’s largest company by revenue in fiscal year 2024, generating $648 billion and employing over 2.1 million associates globally.
As of February 2025, Walmart’s expansive network includes over 10,600 retail locations worldwide, with 5,206 stores operating within the United States.
Renowned for its big-box store dominance across rural and suburban America, Walmart is both lauded for its affordable pricing and scrutinized for its labor practices. Despite its widespread success, the company struggled to replicate its big-box model in New York City, a market where competitor Target has thrived.
The Al Nahyan Family
Estimated Wealth: $323.9 Billion
Company: Abu Dhabi Royal Family
The Al Nahyan family, often referred to as the “House of Nahyan,” holds the position of the second wealthiest family globally. Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the head of the family, serves 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 vast oil reserves. Abu Dhabi stands out as one of the wealthiest emirates, particularly rich in oil resources.
Sheikh Mohamed assumed leadership of Abu Dhabi and the Presidency of the UAE in 2022, succeeding his brother, Sheikh Khalifa, who governed from 2004 to 2022. Preceding Sheikh Khalifa, their father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, served as the nation’s President from its inception in 1971 until 2004.
The family’s substantial fortune is rooted in the ownership of billions of barrels of oil reserves, complemented by highly lucrative wealth funds and strategic investments.
The Al Thani Family
Estimated Wealth: $172.9 Billion
Company: Royal Family of Qatar
The Al Thani family has maintained its rule over Qatar since the mid-19th century, navigating the establishment of modern Qatar, various conflicts, and two attempted coups.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani played a pivotal role in transforming Qatar into a significant global power during his 18-year reign. He ascended to complete control of Qatar in 1995 through a bloodless coup, deposing his father and strategically freezing his assets to prevent counter-actions.
Under his leadership, Qatar’s natural gas production experienced exponential growth, driven by the development of offshore gas fields and the discovery of previously untapped oil reserves. By 2010, the average annual income per person in Qatar reached $86,440.
Beyond revenues from oil and gas, Sheikh Hamad strategically invested billions of dollars in diverse businesses, including prominent names like Volkswagen, Total, Sainsbury’s, and Barclays bank. In 2018, Sheikh Hamad abdicated the throne, passing leadership to his fourth son, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad al Thani.
The Hermès Family
Estimated Wealth: $170.6 Billion
Company: Hermès
The French luxury fashion house Hermès has captivated the world with its exquisite and iconic product lines, ranging from signature scarves and neckties to perfumes and the highly coveted Kelly and Birkin handbags. Tracing back to the 19th century, Thierry Hermès initially crafted riding apparel for the European aristocracy.
Today, Hermès extends its reach to dress contemporary icons like basketball superstar LeBron James. Blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, Hermès also offers Apple Watches, with prices starting at $1,249 and upwards, appealing to a tech-savvy luxury market. Currently, Axel Dumas serves as the company’s executive director, while Pierre-Alexis Dumas holds the position of artistic executive vice president, guiding the brand’s creative and business directions.
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 has become widely recognized for his significant influence in politics, leveraging his substantial resources to shape the political landscape. He is known for funding conservative candidates, libertarian think tanks, and university professorships, as well as lobbying for policy positions that align with a conservative agenda.
Charles Koch collaborated closely with his brother David until David’s passing in 2019. Charles’s individual net worth is estimated at $58.5 billion, placing him at No. 25 on the Forbes‘ billionaires list. David’s widow, Julia Koch, and her family are ranked 23rd, with a net worth of $64.3 billion as of February 15, 2025.
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 stretches back nearly a century. Their substantial fortune, estimated at $140 billion, has accumulated over decades through allocations from the Royal Diwan, the king’s executive office.
Strong ties with Saudi Aramco, a global leader in the oil industry and one of the most profitable companies worldwide, ensure the continued wealth accumulation of the Saudi royal family. Accurately assessing the total wealth of the House of Saud is challenging, partly because the extended family encompasses as many as 15,000 members, many of whom have established businesses, secured government contracts, and engaged in diverse ventures.
The Mars Family
Estimated Wealth: $133.8 Billion
Company: Mars Incorporated
Mars is often considered the Walmart of the candy industry – a multigenerational family enterprise that has achieved ubiquitous presence and widespread popularity. Today, the company is perhaps more recognized for its M&Ms candies than its original Mars bar. In a move towards diversification, Mars Incorporated expanded into pet care in 2017 with the acquisition of VCA, a pet care company, for $9.1 billion.
Siblings Jacqueline and John Mars, grandchildren of company founder Frank Mars, each possess a net worth of $38.5 billion, jointly holding the 35th position 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 the family legacy.
2,781
The global billionaire count reached a record high of 2,781 individuals in 2024, reflecting an unprecedented accumulation of wealth at the top levels.
The Ambani Family
Estimated Wealth: $99.6 Billion
Company: Reliance Industries
Reliance Industries, an Indian conglomerate, stands as the sole Asian company featured on this list. While potentially less familiar to a Western audience, this industrial giant is a powerhouse in the global economy.
CEO Mukesh Ambani, whose father founded the company in 1957, is ranked ninth on Forbes‘ billionaires list with a net worth of $90.3 billion as of February 15, 2025. He oversees Reliance’s extensive operations in refining, petrochemicals, oil and gas exploration, and textiles. His brother, Anil Ambani, manages other significant sectors including telecommunications, asset management, entertainment, and power generation.
The Wertheimer Family
Estimated Wealth: $88 Billion
Company: Chanel
The French haute couture house Chanel holds an iconic status in the fashion world, celebrated for its timeless “little black dress,” the legendary No.5 perfume, and the influential late designer Karl Lagerfeld, who passed away on February 19, 2019.
Brothers Alain and Gerhard Wertheimer are the current co-owners of Chanel, inheriting the company that their grandfather co-founded with Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Both brothers are positioned at 40th place on the Forbes billionaires list, each with a net worth of $36.8 billion as of February 15, 2025.
The Thomson Family
Estimated Wealth: $87.1 Billion
Company: Thomson Reuters
The Thomson family’s wealth is primarily derived from Thomson Reuters, a multinational media and information firm. The family’s business origins date back to the 1930s when Roy Thomson launched a radio station in Ontario, Canada, later expanding into newspaper publishing.
David Thomson, Roy Thomson’s grandson, currently serves as the chairman of Thomson Reuters. He is ranked 22nd on the Forbes‘ billionaires list, with a net worth of $67.8 billion as of February 15, 2025.
What Defines the Wealthiest Family Globally?
The Walton family, with their vast Walmart empire, is unequivocally the wealthiest family on Earth, commanding a combined net worth exceeding $432 billion.
Top 10 Wealthiest Families in 2025
Here is a summary 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
Who are the Richest Individuals Worldwide?
As of February 15, 2025, the top three wealthiest individuals in the world are Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla; Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon; and Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook (Meta).
The Wealth of the British Royal Family
The British Royal Family undoubtedly sparks widespread public interest. The Windsor dynasty has accumulated numerous properties, priceless jewels, and significant art collections over centuries of reign. However, the precise extent of their wealth remains largely undisclosed. Assessing the British royal family’s wealth is complex due to the diverse nature of their holdings, the historical and intrinsic value of these assets, and a long-standing tradition of financial privacy and discretion.
The Takeaway
This compilation of wealthiest families highlights those who have built their fortunes by establishing and nurturing family businesses. Some of these enterprises, like Walmart, have evolved into publicly traded corporations. Others, such as Mars Incorporated and Koch Industries, remain privately held, family-controlled entities.
While this list may appear to celebrate immense wealth at a time of increasing global inequality and a shrinking middle class, and perhaps even implicitly condones high consumption amidst concerns about the future of wealth sustainability, it is important to remember its informational purpose. Furthermore, by concentrating on families, this list intentionally excludes the world’s wealthiest individuals, offering a distinct perspective on wealth concentration.
