The 7 Richest Families in the World, Abundant with Wealth

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Keeping tabs with the rich gives a certain entertainment for people of all backgrounds. While some may see the richest families in the world from an investor’s perspective, the rest are more attuned to their net worth in general.

Forbes provides the annual report of the wealthiest people in the world, including those coming from the same family tree. This article will unveil the top 7 richest families and explore the sources of their fortune.

Here are the 7 richest families in the world according to Forbes.

1. Bernard Arnault Family - $233 billion

Ranked one in the richest family is Bernard Arnault and his family, generating a staggering $233 billion as a dominant force in the fashion industry. For decades, the family's luxury goods group LVMH continued standing as one of the most influential empires with Bernard Arnault overseeing the house.

This powerhouse handles an impressive portfolio of 75 renowned fashion and beauty brands, including iconic names like Louis Vuitton, Sephora, and Tiffany & Co.

Arnault's journey began in 1984 with the acquisition of Christian Dior, laying the foundation for what would become a thriving global empire. Today, his legacy extends through his family, with all five of his children actively involved in the operations of LVMH.

2. Carlos Slim Helu Family - $102 billion

As the richest person in Mexico, Carlos Slim Helu generates most of his net worth by controlling Latin America’s largest mobile telecom firm called América Móvil. Pile up stakes in Mexican mining, real estate companies, construction as well as consumer goods are the additional wealth sources for this family.

Slim and his family previously owned a 17% stake in The New York Times while in recent times the family held a staggering 76% of Grupo Carso or best known as one of Latin America’s biggest conglomerates.

3. Francoise Bettencourt Meyers Family - $99.5 billion

The Francoise Bettencourt Meyers Family is the third richest family in the world with most of their fortune coming from heiring L’Oreal. Francoise is the granddaughter of the founder and has served on L’Oreal’s board since 1997.

Today, Bettencourt Meyers own more than a third stakes of publicly traded L’Oreal, earning Francoise as the richest woman in the world.

4. Jim Walton Family - $78.4 billion

Jim Walton is a chairman and CEO of Arvest Bank Group with net worth reaching $78.4 billion as of 2024. His prominent wealth came from being the youngest son of Walmart founder, Sam Walton. In 2016, Jim left Walmart’s board to his son Steuart as the successor.  Today he is boasting assets of more than $20 billion from Arvest Bank Group.

5. Rob Walton Family - $77.4 billion

Rob Walton is among the richest families in the world due to the immense wealth of their ownership of Walmart. Established by his father, Sam Walton, in 1962, Walmart has become synonymous with affordable pricing retail, operating over 10,500 stores globally.

As of 2024, Jim, Rob, and Alice Walton and their families continue to dominate the upper position of Forbes' billionaire rankings, collectively holding a net worth of nearly $210 billion, signifying their status among the wealthiest families.

6. David Thomson Family - $67.8 billion

As the chairman of Thomson Reuters Corporation, David’s net worth is approximately $67.8 billion. He inherited Thomson Reuters Corporation, a media and publishing empire, from his grandfather Roy Thomson.

In addition to the family’s million stake in Thomson Reuters is a pile up stake in telecom company Bell Canada and the Toronto-based Globe and Mail newspaper.

7. Julia Koch Family - $64.3 billion

Julia Koch is a widow of David Koch who inherited her and their three children a staggering 42% stake in Koch Industries, earning the family a place as the seventh richest families in the world.

As cited from Forbes, the Julia Koch family signed a deal to obtain a 15% stake in the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets for $700 million.

Most of the richest families in the world gather their fortunes from inheritance of business ownerships.

Editor's Choice: 7 Most Powerful Families in the World, Its Not Only About Richness

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