Richest family in history These homes showcase a range of styles, each tied to a distinct period. By appointing family members to different positions around the world, you can make yourself a lot more powerful. 5 trillion. Aug 26, 2024 · Unveil the 7 richest families globally and see if the Rothschilds make the list. Here are a few notable examples of European generational wealth. Cornelius Vanderbilt was the richest American until his death in 1877. He was a descendant of the Fugger merchant family located in the Free Imperial City of Augsburg. Delve into the labyrinth of power, wealth, and secrets that have defined one of the most influential banking dynasties in the world. Here's who he was and how he spent it. Mar 25, 2025 · Discover the 8 Oldest Wealthy Families in New York here. Many of these dynasties remain prominent today, exerting considerable control in business, politics, and culture. Dec 20, 2013 · The Rothschild family is credited for establishing finance houses throughout Europe. The Rothschild family is the richest family of all time – they had huge amounts of money and they Apr 15, 2021 · The story of Madame CJ Walker, the Black woman who built a business empire by serving the beauty needs of Black women and became a millionaire in the process, is the substance of American May 2, 2023 · The 10 Richest Families in the World So, who is the richest family in the world? The title currently goes to the Walton family with a net worth of $224. [3] The evaluations are based on their personal net worths, excluding properties held by the State, Government or Crown, and all of the figures are in U. Feb 3, 2025 · Discover the fascinating story of the Rothschild family's rise to power and their modern-day holdings in finance, banking, and more. 8 billion U. When ruling over the Mali Empire, he controlled its vast gold resources, making his wealth impossible to measure. Here are 10 of the wealthiest and most influential Jewish families:1. Walton family This portrait of Sam Walton, his wife and children, decades before his heirs became the wealthiest dynasty in American history. This is a list of the 10 most powerful dynasties from history. The family's documented history starts in 16th-century Frankfurt; its name is Nov 17, 2023 · The Walton family is an American family whose collective fortune derived from Walmart makes them the richest family in the United States of America. As the words “aristocracy” and “dynastic” suggest, the status of the wealthiest families is highly stable. The people in many parts of Musa’s journey saw rapid price increases because he gave away such large amounts of gold as he made his 1324 trip to Mecca. The Morgan family was renowned for their prominence in banking and finance. Sep 16, 2023 · The Top 10 Richest Families in America: 1. Their most famous move? In 1815, Nathan Rothschild received early word of Feb 23, 2024 · He made history on Dec. Historic wealth figures have been adjusted for inflation to give you an idea of the royals' incredible fortunes in today's money. If you’re wondering about the key old money last names that still hold sway today, you’ve come to the right place. com Apr 8, 2024 · The Walton family currently holds the title of richest family on Earth with an estimated net worth of $347 billion. Jan 13, 2025 · Among wealthy families, there were two main factions: old money and new money. These families have built empires in various industries, from technology to retail to finance. The David Whitney House in Discover the hidden history of the Rothschild family*, the richest and most influential dynasty in the world, in our documentary *"Empire of Shadows. John D. Sep 25, 2025 · For these families, ranked as the world's 10 richest by Bloomberg, savvy business and investment decisions or the timely application of military force to consolidate power in a resource-rich Jan 9, 2025 · The story of America’s economic evolution is intertwined with families whose fortunes transformed industries and communities. These families have built empires across various industries, including conglomerates, banks, and real estate. Rockefeller who started the Standard Oil company in the 1800s. It was during this period that Nathan also became a freemason of the Premier Grand Lodge of England, through which he established connections among the Jul 11, 2024 · A member of the richest non-royal family in the world, Walton has spent very little time working for the family business, instead focusing on curating artwork. Sep 25, 2025 · For these families, ranked as the world's 10 richest by Bloomberg, savvy business and investment decisions or the timely application of military force to consolidate power in a resource-rich Dec 18, 2024 · There were more billionaires in 2024 than at any point in history, as the wealthiest people alive continue to accrue wealth in record numbers. [1] He was one of the wealthiest Americans of all time [2][3][4][5] and one of the richest persons in modern history. Join us as we explore the stories behind these iconic families—from the Pulitzers to the Rockefellers—and uncover the impressive net worths that set these families up for the future The Rothschild family has always been a mystery – you couldn't know everything about this family, and their influence is the same as it was when they were the richest in the family's history. For more than two hundred years, the extensive fortune and power of the Rothschild family have inspired numerous legends—some factual, many embellished. Feb 9, 2024 · By comparison, just 36 families were worth $10 billion or more in 2020, the last time Forbes counted up the fortunes of America’s richest families. The Rothschild family is the richest family of all time – they had huge amounts of money… Mar 12, 2024 · If you've ever bought a candy bar, chances are you contributed to the net worth of one of America's wealthiest families. Their current net worth and The Rockefeller family was another prominent wealthy family during the 19th century. This was the 16th time that the founder of Microsoft claimed the top spot. He became an assistant bookkeeper Dec 15, 2024 · Bloomberg has published its list of the richest families of 2024, and there is no surprise at the top. Nov 29, 2024 · The billion-dollar family has worked in finance since the 18th century, escaping a German ghetto to build a global dynasty. The Rothschild family is a wealthy Ashkenazi Jewish noble banking family originally from Frankfurt. Walmart is the world’s largest retailer, one of the world’s Jan 23, 2025 · Discover the richest families in the world and uncover the secrets behind their generational wealth. The head of the family, billionaire Amancio Ortega, is the ninth richest person in the world and the second richest Feb 11, 2025 · How Wealthy Is the Rothschild Family? Trillionaire Myths Debunked. Nov 22, 2023 · Unraveling the Rothschild family's history. But who were these families, and how did they build their enormous wealth? Here are the 15 wealthiest family dynasties in history, and the stories, Oct 16, 2024 · The 30 richest families in the world collectively have more than an absolutely mind-boggling $1. At the time, Rockefeller was already the richest man in America after becoming the first to amass a net worth of over $1 billion. According to a ranking by Bloomberg, three American families top the ranking of the world’s wealthiest. Delve into the labyrinth of power, wealth, and secremore Family dynasties have showcased immense power, wealth, and far-reaching influence throughout history, shaping economies, societies, and global events. For over 3,000 years, the pharaohs of ancient Egypt ruled one of the most powerful and influential civilizations in history. Jun 23, 2016 · The Rothschild family has always been a mystery – you couldn't know everything about this family, and their influence is the same as it was when they were the richest in the family's history. Some famous families make the cut; others like the Kennedys and Gettys fall short. Jun 8, 2022 · To determine the richest Americans of all time, 24/7 Wall St. Old money is a social class of the rich who have been able to maintain their wealth over multiple generations, in contrast with new money whose wealth has been acquired within its own generation. Feb 20, 2024 · Richest family in history Three generations of the Walton family, including the three children of co-founder Sam Walton—Rob, Jim, and Alice—who is one of the world’s wealthiest women—share in the family’s fortune. Dec 26, 2021 · Richest Families in the World The details and information have been compiled from reliable sites on the web including Bloomberg and Celebrity Net Worth. Prepare to be transported into a rich & fascinating history on the that exist. The Rothschilds – Masters of Timing Once the wealthiest private family in the world, the Rothschilds built their fortune in the 19th century through finance and information. The majority of the family's wealth comes from the clothing company Inditex and its flagship store Zara. 10, 1815, by recruiting and transporting, with his all-Black crew, 38 African Americans (including 20 children) ranging in age from 6 months to 60 years from the United States to Sierra Leone on his own boat, a brig, the Traveller. Their vast fortunes accumulated over the years reflect the extreme economic disparity plaguing the country. Jul 13, 2024 · Discover the true story of the richest family in history in "Empire of Shadows. [6] Rockefeller was born into a large family in Upstate New York who moved several times before eventually settling in Cleveland, Ohio. Read on to discover the sources of their net worth. The family's documented history starts in 16th-century Frankfurt; its name is derived from the family house, Rothschild, built by Isaak Elchanan Bacharach in Frankfurt in 1567. P. @pilarmmnn House of Rothschild The Rothschild family, originating from Germany, became one of the wealthiest and most powerful banking dynasties in Europe during the 19th century. Old money families inherited their wealth through generations. From humble beginnings in 18th-century Frankfurt, the Rothschild family rose to Elon Musk is the wealthiest person in the world, with an estimated net worth of US$470 billion as of October 2025, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, [1] and $500 billion according to Forbes, [2] primarily from his ownership stakes in Tesla and SpaceX. Jan 27, 2025 · The Al Nahyans Wikipedia The Al Nahyans are one of the six ruling families of the United Arab Emirates. Nov 6, 2024 · Take an in-depth look at America’s wealthiest families, uncovering how their vast fortunes shape industries, politics, and culture across the nation. Jan 12, 2025 · From ancient dynasties to modern-day powerhouses, let’s explore the most powerful families in history and the remarkable influence they wielded. Nigerian business magnate Aliko Dangote had a net worth of US$30. Only four of the wealthiest 20 families in 2020 are new Jul 6, 2025 · Here are the Top 10 Most Powerful and Wealthiest Families in the World, and how they quietly shaped global business, politics, and daily life. The majority of the family’s wealth derives from the heritage of Bud and Sam Walton, who were the co-founders of Walmart. As the owners of retail giant Walmart, they’ve built their fortune through a global retail empire that serves millions of customers daily. 4bn), discover history's top 30 richest royals (including some living examples) based on expert wealth estimates. The family is also known for their investments in real estate, banking, and healthcare. They established banking businesses across major Bill Gates was named the richest man in the world by Forbes ' annual list of the world's billionaires. At the age of 21, Nathan moved to England and established himself in the world of textiles trading and finance. When it comes to wealth, influence, legacy, and conspiracies, few families can rival the Rothschilds. The first oil family on our list and certainly not the last, one of the original oil magnates in the United States was John D. Jakob Fugger, in Bundeswehr Military History Museum, Dresden Jakob Fugger of the Lily (German: Jakob Fugger von der Lilie; 6 March 1459 – 30 December 1525), also known as Jakob Fugger the Rich or sometimes Jakob II, was a major German merchant, mining entrepreneur, and banker. Large close-knitted families who hold immense power can be seen throughout history. Here are 20 families that have controlled significant portions of America’s wealth across generations. Nov 14, 2023 · One of the richest families in the world, the Johnson Family of the United States, has numerous assets under administration. The 15 oldest fortunes on Are the Rothschilds the richest family? The Rothschild family is one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most storied families in history. They are regarded as the world’s richest family, possessing 6% of the world’s oil reserves, several properties worldwide, and even the Manchester City Football Club. Read on to know more about these families and learn how much wealth they possess. Apr 21, 2025 · Find out how the wealthiest families in the world built their multi-billion dollar fortune, maintained it across generations, and the diverse business empire that continues to expand their wealth today! Sep 5, 2021 · The Waltons are the richest family in the world on the list by far, with a net worth of $215 billion. org/finaius/ Unravels the Roths-child family's history. Aug 21, 2013 · His bloodline is tied to the Vanderbilts, one of the richest families in American history. Roche Family Net Worth: $47. S. Over the past year, the richest family—the Waltons—grew their wealth by $25 billion, or almost $3 million per hour. The Rothschild family is one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most storied families in history. It originated from Frankfurt in the old Holy Roman Empire and the family members have Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity. The family's documented history starts in 16th-century Frankfurt; its name is Oct 30, 2018 · The Medici family was probably one of the most powerful dynasties in human history, having produced several popes, world leaders and politicians. Oct 27, 2025 · Who are the richest banking families in the world? The Rothschild family is one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most storied families in history. Sep 24, 2024 · Throughout American history, a select group of founding families have achieved extraordinary financial success through smart business decisions and strategic investments. The Astor family fortune was built on both real estate and fur trade, specifically beaver pelts. These extended families live all across the country in at least 23 states and are based out of hometowns ranging from Louisville, Kentucky to Wichita, Kansas to Racine, Wisconsin. They established banking businesses across major The family's documented history starts in 16th-century Frankfurt; its name is derived from the family house, Rothschild, built by Isaak Elchanan Bacharach in Frankfurt in 1567. The Waltons George Bush Presidential Library and Museum/Wikimedia Commons In In 1957, Fortune magazine developed a list of the seventy-six wealthiest Americans, which was published in many American newspapers. Feb 26, 2024 · How many people have held the title of World’s Richest Person since the turn of the twentieth century? These billionaires were/are likely smart investors and could have used a Self-Directed IRA to help them grow their wealth. However, the building of these houses was a milestone in a pronounced family estrangement between Whitney and Payne. Diversification of Wealth Many of the top 20 richest families in Texas have diversified their wealth across multiple industries, including energy, real estate, technology, and finance. Having been first listed on the Forbes Billionaires List in 2012, [3] around 75% of Musk's wealth was derived from Tesla stock in The family also built Berkshire cottages in the western region of Massachusetts; examples include Elm Court (Lenox and Stockbridge, Massachusetts). Aug 5, 2025 · From America's billionaire Walton and Zuckerberg families to fashion's biggest brands, discover the 30 richest families in the world in 2025. Walton’s family is estimated to be worth $224. (July 8, 1839 – May 23, 1937) was an American businessman and philanthropist. Jul 7, 2021 · Some of the key findings of the report are below. The term often refers to perceived members of the de facto aristocracy in societies that historically lack an officially established aristocratic class (such as the United States). Warburg FamilyThe Warburg family, a German-Jewish family based in the United States, has achieved remarkable accomplishments across various fields, including investment banking Jul 1, 2015 · America's oldest billion-dollar family fortunes have weathered more than two centuries, adapting and expanding to maintain their ranks among the country's wealthiest. Rockefeller, founder of Standard Oil, became the richest person in modern history. This banking dynasty emerged from humble origins to become arguably the Sep 16, 2023 · The Top 10 Richest Families in America: 1. Whitney, and most especially thanks to his uncle Col. These dynasties leveraged wealth to expand their influence and shape history. Mar 3, 2018 · Richest Families And Individuals To Ever Exist In History. , revealing how they earned their fortunes, which have endured for generations. 1. Indeed, the descendants of one Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, have yet again topped the list of the world’s richest families. 30. As of August 2025, the family has an estimated net worth of $120 billion. The family became so powerful that five lines of its Austrian branch were given heredity titles by Emperor Francis II of the The world’s richest families have amassed incredible wealth over generations, with their fortunes often exceeding the GDP of many countries. Paul Cuffee paid the cost of the entire trip out of his personal fortune. Morgan, an investment Jul 25, 2023 · At the time of the building of these houses, the Whitneys were one of the richest families in the country thanks to Payne Whitney’s father, William C. Here are 20 facts you might not have known about the Rothschild family. Most of the world's wealthiest families got Sep 3, 2020 · The World’s Richest Families in 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped the world’s wealthiest families from growing their fortunes. Besides, the pioneer of the company is a Swiss businessman Fritz Hoffmann- La Nov 5, 2024 · The wealthiest families own roughly a third of the planet's wealth, but who is the richest family in the world, sitting atop that giant pile of cash and gold coins? The following list includes the richest families and global business dynasties in the world today. Jul 25, 2025 · Starting at a threshold of $10 billion (£7. Feb 3, 2025 · 1. Roche is the world’s largest biotech and pharmaceutical company. Few names in history evoke the same level of association with wealth and influence as the Rothschilds. 5 billion. The family mainly inherited the fortune from Sam Walton, the founder of Mar 8, 2025 · Wealth and influence continue to shape the legacies of the richest families in the world. The most prominent of the Gilded Age old money families was the Astor family. Having been first listed on the Forbes Billionaires List in 2012, [3] around 75% of Musk's wealth was derived from Tesla stock in . Here we bring a list of the richest families in the world & their networth. 3 Billion Roche family is the 15th richest family in the world. With roots in banking, the family has continued to grow its wealth in a variety of businesses over the centuries, continuing to wield significant power and money. This banking dynasty emerged from humble origins to become arguably the Sep 23, 2025 · Discover how the fortunes of the descendants of five of the world's most illustrious dynasties have fared in the 21st century and are these legendary old-money families still as rich and powerful in 2025? The Ten Richest Families in America and Their Rise to Riches Self-made millionaires are not uncommon in the dotcom era, but their fortunes pale in comparison to those of the ten richest families in America. 15. [4] Note: The list includes families who, according to reliable sources, have a combined net worth of 5 billion US dollars and above. In this article, we will explore the top 5 richest families in the world and the secrets behind their success. See full list on investopedia. dollars. We'll explore the lives and legacies of 15 of the wealthiest families in the U. It was considered the richest family in the world for much of 1800's. Wealth, legacy, and global influence explored. Indeed, the list of America's 10 richest families of 2024 compiled by Forbes Jewish families have been prominent figures in the business world for many years, with some of the wealthiest families in the world being of Jewish descent. Anton Rupert’s business ventures in the mid-20th century, particularly in tobacco with Voorbrand and Nov 8, 2016 · “Perhaps nine out of 10 of the most successful and wealthiest families derived and continue to derive incomes from real estate,” he reasoned in one interview. Oct 31, 2025 · The richest families in America accumulated their billion-dollar fortunes in different ways, from publishing and cosmetics to retail and hotels. 10. Today Antonio and his family are among the richest in the country, worth an estimated $260 million according to Forbes magazine. Aug 20, 2023 · New York City has a long and storied history of wealthy families that have defined the culture, philanthropy, and elite social scenes for over a century. 4 The Ortega family is a Spanish dynastic family that is the fifth wealthiest family in the world. Emerging Trends Related to the Top 20 Richest Families in Texas: 1. Payne. Check out the chart to see what the richest people in the world from a century ago would be worth today! Jun 27, 2018 · Trillion Dollar Inheritance: The World’s Biggest Family Fortunes Walmart, Samsung, Koch Industries and Hermes have built some of the biggest fortunes to ever be handed down between generations Dec 9, 2024 · Michigan’s mansions reflect a rich architectural history, capturing the state’s evolution from industrial hub to cultural crossroads. Jan 13, 2020 · Where do the world’s wealthiest families come from, and how did they make their fortunes? Sep 1, 2019 · European dynasties can stretch back hundreds of years - and that's a lot of time to accumulate wealth! Apr 24, 2023 · Today, the family’s long history of philanthropy in the art world has started to draw ire, with protestors pressing art museums to reject future donations. If you want to know more about the history of Italy, do not miss the article dedicated to the italian unification and all its protagonists. Their combined worth rose this year to a staggering $432. These families weren't overnight successes, but their fortunes have stood the test of time and are the result of strong Jul 8, 2024 · Wikipedia • The Rothschild family is a wealthy Ashkenazi Jewish noble banking family originally from Frankfurt. The bank of Medici was first founded in Renaissance Florence and the wealthy shareholders of the Medici family funded many of the fantastic architectural icons that grace the city to this day. Oct 28, 2024 · Every year, Forbes comes out with a list of the richest 500 people worldwide. The family has a net worth of $305 billion. 4 trillion (1,400,000,000,000) of wealth. From luxury goods to retail empires, explore how these families became the wealthiest through innovation, strategy, and legacy-building. [6] Jean Paul Getty, when asked his reaction to being named wealthiest American and whether he was worth a billion dollars, said, "You know, if you can count your money, you don't have a billion dollars" and then added, "But remember, a billion dollars isn't 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 https://brilliant. His empire enriched itself Jul 13, 2024 · Discover the true story of the richest family in history in "Empire of Shadows. The list of the wealthiest of Italy is a list extracted from that published by Forbes, which brings together the richest people every year. May 14, 2024 · By James Dorn Last Update on May 14, 2024 Since the first Sims game launched over 20 years ago, one family has consistently dominated the world of virtual wealth accumulation across every iteration: the Landgraabs are undisputedly the richest pre-made family in the entire Sims franchise. Walton family is often considered as the richest family in the world as they also got their place at the top in recent years Forbes list. Nov 23, 2024 · The Empire of Shadows unveils the captivating true story of the richest family in history—the Rothschilds. Nov 21, 2024 · Jewish families have played a significant role in the global economy and finance sectors, with their remarkable success stories admired worldwide. The 25 wealthiest people in Germany all had capital of at least five billion dollars. See how multi-generational fortunes shape global business and massive net worth. He was born and Jan 18, 2025 · The Rothschilds are often considered one of the wealthiest families in the world, but how did they get there? The family's wealth originated in the late 18th century when Mayer Amschel Rothschild, a German Jewish banker, began building a financial empire. There are several old money European families that have been influential and wealthy for centuries. According to Bloomberg, the world's 25 richest families control more than $1. Sep 18, 2021 · Nathan Mayer Rothschild became the richest member of the Rothschild family due to his international reputation and significance. From the Pulitzer family, whose media empire transformed Explore the top 10 richest families in the world in 2025, including their net worth, industries, and the businesses that built their fortunes. Apr 13, 2024 · The Wealth of the Richest Families in the Philippines The net wealth of the 40 wealthiest families in the Philippines is staggering, amounting to billions of dollars. " From their humble beginnings in 18th century Jun 27, 2018 · The Walton family of Walmart is the richest clan in the world, with total family wealth of $152 billion, according to data compiled by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. In 2018, Forbes listed Elon Musk, Tesla’s CEO, as the richest person globally after his net worth exceeded $200 billion following a List of royalty by net worth This is a list of richest monarchs and family members, as estimated by Forbes in 2015, [1] Business Insider in 2018, [2] and the CEOWORLD magazine in 2019. The Vanderbilts were once the wealthiest family in the United States. The Rupert Family: Masters of Luxury and Investment Origins and Early History The Rupert family’s story begins in the small town of Stellenbosch, where Anton Rupert, a visionary entrepreneur, laid the groundwork for what would become one of South Africa’s most influential dynasties. Jan 14, 2024 · Though dollar for dollar, the Rothschild family is considered the richest family in modern history, due to the dilution of wealth generationally across the entire family for two hundred years, they no longer rank in the current top 10 richest families in the world in 2024. Here concludes our brief summary of the 300 years of the Medici family, one of the most important, rich and prestigious families in Italy. " This captivating documentary explores the rise and fall of one of the most powerful dynasties the world has ever seen. If you looked at the list of 50 wealthiest families in the US in 1983 and compared that list to a similar one for 2020, more than half (27 of 50) of the families are the same. Add in the fact that he helped revolutionize the petroleum industry and it Discover the enduring legacy, global influence, and modern success of the Rothschild family—one of history’s wealthiest dynasties, still shaping finance today. The Fidelity Management and Research (Mutual-Fund Empire) was founded in the United States in 1946. All dollar amounts in US dollars. Wikipedia • The Rothschild family is a wealthy Ashkenazi Jewish noble banking family originally from Frankfurt. The family rose to prominence with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744–1812), a court factor to the German Landgraves of Forbes has compiled a list of the richest families in America. May 30, 2025 · This list reveals the ten wealthiest monarchs and royal family members on the planet, based on publicly available estimates. And many of the families on this list had more power than you could possibly imagine. This is especially true among the upper echelons of Nov 4, 2025 · Discover how the Rothschild family rose from modest roots to build a global banking empire that transformed finance and shaped modern history. J. John Davison Rockefeller Sr. Nov 4, 2022 · The richest person who ever lived may have a net worth of $400 billion by today's standards. Jun 27, 2018 · The Walton family of Walmart is the richest clan in the world, with total family wealth of $152 billion, according to data compiled by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. This guide Jan 9, 2025 · The story of America’s economic evolution is intertwined with families whose fortunes transformed industries and communities. The Walton Family The Walton family, heirs Mar 27, 2025 · Explore the top 30 wealthiest families worldwide, from oil dynasties to luxury icons. In 2011, she opened her own art museum in Arkansas—the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art—which features works from greats like Warhol, Rockwell, and Rothko. Sep 27, 2021 · Successful business enterprises are they key to the wealth of the world’s richest families. Image Credit: Tyty Kitchen via flickr Everyone recognizes Mansa Musa as the richest royal in history. Episode One The Top 3 Richest American Families in History! #richestfamilies #money #wealth #joerogan #joe The first oil family on our list and certainly not the last, one of the original oil magnates in the United States was John D. Who was the richest man in Germany? Dieter Schwarz was ranked as the wealthiest people in Germany in 2023, according to Forbes, with assets amounting to 45. His family’s wealth and influence grew exponentially, and they became known for their philanthropic endeavors. How do they compare to the richest people of all time? Bill Gates was always at the top until Amazon’s founder, Jeff Bezos, became the first to cross $100 billion in early 2018. The richest black person, Aliko Dangote, at the World Economic Forum, 2011 Black billionaires are individuals who are of predominantly African ancestry with a net worth of at least US$1 billion. reviewed wealth estimates of prominent Americans, both living and dead, from historical and media sources, including the Forbes Real Apr 28, 2025 · The term “old money” truly applies to the families in this top 10 richest families in the world list because they exhibit the essence of generational wealth. At one time, the world's wealthiest family, they funded wars, built infrastructure, and even helped lay the foundation of nations. When your family's fortune is more than many countries' gross domestic products, there stands a chance it is among the richest families in the world. 3 billion and was the world's richest black man, according to the 2025 ranking of the world's billionaires by Forbes Real Time Feb 8, 2024 · Forbes introduces the first ever ranking of decabillionaire families, who are worth $10 billion or more.