[Updated 2025] List of the Top 10 Richest Families in the World

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. Their current net worth and estimated wealth are built on a legacy and a history that goes back a long way in time. It isn’t an overnight occurrence rather a steady and gradual increase over the years. 

A lot of people could claim that this is a case of luck and “right place and the right time”.  Though it could be a little bit of a fate situation but no one can deny that it takes immense hard work and talent to maintain an empire for years at the same level that it has peaked at. Generations of people from the family have given their sweat and tears to grow their family empire to reach the numbers they have in the present year. 

ALSO READ| [Updated] Top 13 Richest Footballers in the World 2023: Net Worth, Career, Salary and More

Top 10 Wealthiest Families In the World 2025

1. Walton Family

The Walton family, ranked first, holds an estimated wealth of $432.4 billion, primarily generated by their ownership of Walmart, a major retail corporation based in the United States. They are descendants of the family members of Sam Walton, who was the founder, and his brother Bud Walton, the co-founder of Walmart in the year 1962. This venture began with a single discount store in Arkansas.

The three preeminent living members of the Walton family—Jim, Rob, and Alice Walton—have consistently maintained positions within the top twenty of the Forbes 400 list since 2001. This enduring presence reflects the enduring financial prowess of the family. Furthermore, the late John (d. 2005) and Helen (d. 2007) Walton also held esteemed positions on the Forbes 400 list until their respective passing. Following John's demise, Christy Walton seamlessly assumed his place in the ranking, underscoring the family's enduring legacy and influence in the realm of wealth.

 Over the decades, Walmart expanded its empire into the largest retail chain in the world, found across the globe in almost every city. Especially in the first-world countries, Walmart dominates as the leading store. The family’s fortune has been carefully preserved and grown, with most heirs actively managing trusts and foundations tied to the company. 

2. AL Nahyan Family

Following them, the Al Nahyan family from the United Arab Emirates possesses an estimated $323.9 billion, stemming from their control of the Abu Dhabi Royal Family's oil and investment assets. Abu Dhabi, one of the seven constituent emirates comprising the United Arab Emirates, stands as the nation's capital and harbours the lion's share of its oil reserves. For decades, the Al Nahyan family has governed the region that now forms the UAE, predating the transformative era brought about by the oil boom, which reshaped both the economy and the fortunes of the royal family.

The Al Nahyan family is part of the ruling dynasty of Abu Dhabi, with roots dating back centuries. Their transition to modern wealth began booming in the 20th century with the discovery of oil in the UAE in the 1950s. They focused on building a diversified global investment portfolio while maintaining their royal lineage and governance in Abu Dhabi at the same time.

Throughout the family, various members occupy positions in both governmental and private sectors, blurring the demarcation between state affairs and personal interests—a common occurrence. 

ALSO READ| Top 10 Richest Actors In The World

3. Al Thani Family

The Al Thani family of Qatar ranks third with $172.9 billion, derived from their management of the Qatar Royal Family's natural gas resources and investments. 

This royal family has ruled Qatar since the mid-19th century. Sheikh Mohammed bin Thani became the first ruler in 1868. Their wealth skyrocketed in the 20th century following the massive exploitation of Qatar’s natural gas and oil reserves, positioning them as one of the richest royal families today, which seems to be a similar path for most of the royal families of Saudi Arabia. 

The Al Thani lineage boasts a considerable population, numbering in the thousands, although power is concentrated within select influential branches. At certain junctures, their representation has accounted for nearly half of Qatar's modest citizenry, as indicated by research from Harvard University. This intricate network underscores the family's widespread impact and concentrated authority within the nation's framework.

4. Hermes Family

The Hermès (Dumas) family, with an estimated $170.6 billion, owes their wealth to the luxury fashion house Hermès, located in France. The beginning of the Hermès family empire was in 1837. 

Thierry Hermès began his journey with a harness workshop in Paris. Over two centuries, Hermès evolved into a global symbol of luxury fashion and supreme quality of craftsmanship. The Dumas branch of the family has continued to maintain strong control of the production, ensuring the exclusivity of the brand and far-reaching success. 

Distinguished as a sixth-generation family, this lineage possesses ownership of the renowned French luxury fashion house, celebrated for its opulent Kelly bags that often command prices soaring into the hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction. 

5. Koch Family

Siblings Frederick, Charles, David, and William inherited their father Fred's oil enterprise. However, a familial discord over control surfaced in the early 1980s, prompting Frederick and William to depart from the family business, while Charles and David chose to remain. This initial venture evolved into Koch Industries, a conglomerate headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, boasting an annual revenue of approximately $125 billion. 

The Koch family, based in the United States, has an estimated $148.5 billion from their diversified conglomerate, Koch Industries. Fred C. Koch founded the roots of Koch Industries in 1940. They initially focused on refining oil. His sons, Charles and David Koch, deserve their due credit as they have massively expanded the company into one of the largest private conglomerates in the world. The wealth of the Koch family today is a reflection of decades of diversified expansion into industries from energy to manufacturing. 

6. Al Saud Family

The Al Saud family of Saudi Arabia holds an estimated $140 billion, thanks to their control of the Saudi Royal Family's oil assets, including Saudi Aramco, and other investments. 

The Al Saud dynasty established itself in the 18th century with Muhammad bin Saud. However, the family's vast wealth was consolidated under King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud in 1932. The discovery of vast oil reserves in the 1930s led the family into unfathomable prosperity, much of which is linked to Saudi Aramco.

On an individual level, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally commands assets valued at over $1 billion. This multifaceted wealth landscape underscores the diversified avenues through which the Saudi royal family has amassed and continues to manage its considerable financial influence.

7. The Mars family

The Mars family, also from the United States, possesses $133.8 billion, mainly from their ownership of Mars Inc., known for confectionery and pet care products. 

Frank Mars started making and selling candies from his kitchen in 1911. His son, Forrest Mars Sr., later invented iconic products like M&M's, which is a world-renowned item in modern times. He further expanded the company globally. Over a century later, Mars Inc. remains privately held, and the family continues to enjoy one of the world’s largest fortunes in food and pet care.

Situated in McLean, Virginia, this closely held business stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Mars family, who are the proprietors of this esteemed enterprise. This familial stewardship reflects not only a commitment to the company's heritage but also a dedication to innovation and adaptation to evolving consumer preferences.

ALSO READ| [Latest] Donald Trump Net Worth 2023: Salary, Net Worth in Rupees (INR), Income

8. Ambani Family

The Ambani family of India has an estimated $99.6 billion, largely from their involvement in Reliance Industries, which spans energy, telecom, and retail. 

Dhirubhai Ambani founded Reliance Industries in 1958, starting from a small textile business. Through relentless ambition and expansion into petrochemicals, telecommunications, and retail, Reliance became India's biggest private company. Today, his sons Mukesh and Anil have carried forward the legacy, with Mukesh dominating the family wealth. The high population of India has helped as a huge aid to the family’s prosperity, as they fully understood the business model of providing service to a vast audience at a minimal price, which in turn increases future sales and customers too. 

Mukesh Ambani's influence extends beyond corporate leadership, as he resides in a remarkable 27-story mansion, acclaimed as the world's most expensive private residence. This testament to opulence underscores the Ambani family's prominence and the enduring legacy of Dhirubhai's entrepreneurial vision within the realms of business and luxury living.

ALSO READ| Currently Top 10 Richest Person in India 2023

9. Wertheimer Family

The Wertheimer family of France has an estimated $88 billion from their ownership of the luxury fashion brand Chanel. Pierre Wertheimer partnered with Coco Chanel in the 1920s to build the iconic Chanel brand. They did not realise that this brand would become the blueprint for the concept of elegant and high-end fashion. His descendants, Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, still own and run the brand privately, maintaining Chanel’s elite status in the fashion world nearly a century later.

 This foresight led to the family's ownership of the closely held fashion house, renowned for introducing the iconic "little black dress". Charles Heilbronn, their half-brother, oversees the family office, Mousse Partners, handling their multifaceted wealth and investments. Notably, in 2022, Leena Nair assumed the role of CEO of Chanel, succeeding Alain Wertheimer, marking a significant transition in leadership within the prestigious fashion empire. 

10. The Thomson family

Lastly, the Thomson family of Canada has an estimated $87.1 billion, primarily from their ownership of Thomson Reuters, a media and information services company.

The family fortune of the Thomson family began in 1934 when Roy Thomson launched a single radio station in Ontario, Canada. He quickly expanded into the field of newspapers and later established Thomson Corporation. His descendants merged the Thompson company with Reuters in 2008. This helped in forming a global powerhouse in news and information services.

ALSO READ|

• [Latest] Will Smith Net Worth 2023: Salary, Net Worth in Rupees (INR), Income
• [Latest] Gautam Adani Net Worth 2023: Salary, Net Worth in Rupees (INR), Income
• LeBron James: Net Worth, Annual Earnings, Career Stats, Career Highlights
• [Latest] Elon Musk Net Worth 2023: Salary, Net Worth in Rupees (INR), Income