Meet the 15 richest family-wealth dynasties in the US, who have a combined net worth of $618 billion

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Mar 1, 2019, 02:07 IST

15. The Cathy family is worth $11 billion thanks to its fried chicken fortune.

15. The Cathy family is worth $11 billion thanks to its fried chicken fortune.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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The family's wealth comes from fast food chain Chick-fil-A, founded in 1967 by Truett Cathy.

The family's wealth comes from fast food chain Chick-fil-A, founded in 1967 by Truett Cathy.

Source: Forbes

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His sons, Bubba and Dan, share the family's wealth with a fortune of $5.5 billion each.

His sons, Bubba and Dan, share the family's wealth with a fortune of $5.5 billion each.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

14. The Stryker family built its $11.1 billion fortune with Stryker Corp., a medical equipment company founded by Homer Stryker.

14. The Stryker family built its $11.1 billion fortune with Stryker Corp., a medical equipment company founded by Homer Stryker.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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His grandchildren — siblings Pat, Jon, and Ronda — all inherited a stake in the company, which generated $12 billion in sales in 2017. Ronda is the only sibling to serve on the board.

His grandchildren — siblings Pat, Jon, and Ronda — all inherited a stake in the company, which generated $12 billion in sales in 2017. Ronda is the only sibling to serve on the board.

Source: Forbes

All three are philanthropists and have donated at least $855 million collectively to various causes and foundations.

All three are philanthropists and have donated at least $855 million collectively to various causes and foundations.

Source: Forbes, Forbes, Forbes

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13. The Goldman family owns a good chunk of New York City real estate with Solil Management, which has built them a fortune of $13.2 billion.

13. The Goldman family owns a good chunk of New York City real estate with Solil Management, which has built them a fortune of $13.2 billion.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report, Business Insider

Sol Goldman began the real estate firm in the 1950s by buying foreclosed properties at bargain prices. Today, it has a 17% stake in the World Trade Center developments.

Sol Goldman began the real estate firm in the 1950s by buying foreclosed properties at bargain prices. Today, it has a 17% stake in the World Trade Center developments.

Source: Business Insider

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His daughter, Jane Goldman, runs the company, which has assets worth an estimated $12 billion. She owns 25% of the company with her siblings.

His daughter, Jane Goldman, runs the company, which has assets worth an estimated $12 billion. She owns 25% of the company with her siblings.

Source: Business Insider

12. The Bass family has a net worth of $13.3 billion thanks to an oil fortune.

12. The Bass family has a net worth of $13.3 billion thanks to an oil fortune.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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In 1959, oil tycoon Sid Richardson left $2.8 million each to his nephews Robert, Sid, Lee, and Edward, who then diversified the money.

In 1959, oil tycoon Sid Richardson left $2.8 million each to his nephews Robert, Sid, Lee, and Edward, who then diversified the money.

Source: Forbes

The four brothers received $5.6 billion in stock after selling their oil company to ExxonMobil in 2017. They could reap payouts worth $1 billion.

The four brothers received $5.6 billion in stock after selling their oil company to ExxonMobil in 2017. They could reap payouts worth $1 billion.

Source: Forbes

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11. The Ziffs have a fortune worth $14.4 billion that began with the magazine publisher Ziff Davis Inc., which published PC Magazine.

11. The Ziffs have a fortune worth $14.4 billion that began with the magazine publisher Ziff Davis Inc., which published PC Magazine.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

William Ziff Jr. sold the magazine publisher for $1.4 billion in 1994. His sons, Daniel, Robert, and Dirk, grow their inheritance through Ziff Brothers Investments.

William Ziff Jr. sold the magazine publisher for $1.4 billion in 1994. His sons, Daniel, Robert, and Dirk, grow their inheritance through Ziff Brothers Investments.

Source: Business Insider

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They reportedly invest their billions with managers who used to work at their hedge funds, own several homes in Aspen, and have put their money toward philanthropic efforts.

They reportedly invest their billions with managers who used to work at their hedge funds, own several homes in Aspen, and have put their money toward philanthropic efforts.

Source: Business Insider

10. The SC Johnson family has a fortune of $18.2 billion.

10. The SC Johnson family has a fortune of $18.2 billion.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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SC Johnson, which produces cleaning products such as Pledge, Glade, and Windex, was founded by its namesake in 1882 and eventually taken over by son Herbert Fisk Johnson.

SC Johnson, which produces cleaning products such as Pledge, Glade, and Windex, was founded by its namesake in 1882 and eventually taken over by son Herbert Fisk Johnson.

Source: Business Insider

Herbert died in 1928 without a will, and the family reportedly feuded over the inheritance until it was eventually divided between his two children, Herbert Fisk Jr. and Henrietta Johnson Louis.

Herbert died in 1928 without a will, and the family reportedly feuded over the inheritance until it was eventually divided between his two children, Herbert Fisk Jr. and Henrietta Johnson Louis.

Source: Business Insider

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9. Like the SC Johnson family, the Lauder family has a fortune built on retail. They're worth $22.4 billion.

9. Like the SC Johnson family, the Lauder family has a fortune built on retail. They're worth $22.4 billion.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

In 1947, Estée Lauder received her first major order for $800 of skincare products from Saks Fifth Avenue.

In 1947, Estée Lauder received her first major order for $800 of skincare products from Saks Fifth Avenue.

Source: Business Insider

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Today, the company includes 30 brands of makeup like MAC and Clinique and reported $13.8 billion in net sales in 2018.

Today, the company includes 30 brands of makeup like MAC and Clinique and reported $13.8 billion in net sales in 2018.

Source: Business Insider, The Estee Lauder Companies

The Lauders are active philanthropists — son Leonard donated $1 billion worth of art to the Met — and own a lot of real estate.

The Lauders are active philanthropists — son Leonard donated $1 billion worth of art to the Met — and own a lot of real estate.

Source: Business Insider

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8. The Duncan family has a net worth of $24.8 billion.

8. The Duncan family has a net worth of $24.8 billion.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

Dan L. Duncan founded gas and oil company Enterprise Products Partners, a natural gas and crude oil company, in 1968 with just $10,000.

Dan L. Duncan founded gas and oil company Enterprise Products Partners, a natural gas and crude oil company, in 1968 with just $10,000.

Source: Business Insider

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After he died in 2010, the company remained under family control and his four children inherited a $10 billion estate. The family fortune has since more than doubled.

After he died in 2010, the company remained under family control and his four children inherited a $10 billion estate. The family fortune has since more than doubled.

Source: Business Insider

7. The Pritzker family has a fortune of $26.6 billion with roots in hospitality.

7. The Pritzker family has a fortune of $26.6 billion with roots in hospitality.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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A.N. Pritzker and sons Jay, Donald, and Robert created the family's wealth by founding the Hyatt Hotel chain and investing in holdings, such as Marmon Group.

A.N. Pritzker and sons Jay, Donald, and Robert created the family's wealth by founding the Hyatt Hotel chain and investing in holdings, such as Marmon Group.

Source: Business Insider

Eleven members of the family are billionaires — eight are on the Forbes 400 list.

Eleven members of the family are billionaires — eight are on the Forbes 400 list.

Source: Business Insider, The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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They reportedly spent much of the 2000s arguing over trusts, ultimately dividing up the fortune at the end.

They reportedly spent much of the 2000s arguing over trusts, ultimately dividing up the fortune at the end.

Source: Business Insider

6. The Cox family has a fortune worth $37.2 billion thanks to Cox Enterprises.

6. The Cox family has a fortune worth $37.2 billion thanks to Cox Enterprises.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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The company spans a number of industries — cable and broadband (Cox Communications), newspapers and radio stations (Cox Media Group), and automotive — and generates about $20 billion in revenue.

The company spans a number of industries — cable and broadband (Cox Communications), newspapers and radio stations (Cox Media Group), and automotive — and generates about $20 billion in revenue.

Source: Business Insider

Founder James Cox's five grandchildren share the family fortune.

Founder James Cox's five grandchildren share the family fortune.

Source: Business Insider

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5. The E. Johnson family is worth $38.7 billion.

5. The E. Johnson family is worth $38.7 billion.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

Edward C. Johnson founded the world's second-largest mutual fund company, Fidelity, in 1946, which has been run by three Johnson generations since.

Edward C. Johnson founded the world's second-largest mutual fund company, Fidelity, in 1946, which has been run by three Johnson generations since.

Source: Business Insider

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The family owns 49% of the company, which is currently helmed by his granddaughter, Abigail Johnson.

The family owns 49% of the company, which is currently helmed by his granddaughter, Abigail Johnson.

Source: Business Insider

4. The Cargill-MacMillan family's wealth of $38.8 billion dates back to 1865, when agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. was founded.

4. The Cargill-MacMillan family's wealth of $38.8 billion dates back to 1865, when agribusiness giant Cargill Inc. was founded.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report, Business Insider

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Today, 23 members of the Cargill-MacMillan family own 88% of the company, which generates $108 billion in annual revenues.

Today, 23 members of the Cargill-MacMillan family own 88% of the company, which generates $108 billion in annual revenues.

Source: Business Insider

Of this clan, 14 are billionaires — nine are on the Forbes 400.

Of this clan, 14 are billionaires — nine are on the Forbes 400.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report, Business Insider

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3. The Mars family has a fortune of $72 billion from its candy empire Mars Inc., which invented M&Ms, Milky Way, and Mars Bars.

3. The Mars family has a fortune of $72 billion from its candy empire Mars Inc., which invented M&Ms, Milky Way, and Mars Bars.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

Six of the family members rank among the Forbes 400. Siblings Jacqueline and John Mars have the biggest share of the fortune, with $24 billion a piece; the other four members have $6 billion a piece.

Six of the family members rank among the Forbes 400. Siblings Jacqueline and John Mars have the biggest share of the fortune, with $24 billion a piece; the other four members have $6 billion a piece.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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They run the Mars Foundation, which donates to educational, environmental, cultural, and health-related causes.

They run the Mars Foundation, which donates to educational, environmental, cultural, and health-related causes.

Source: Business Insider

Jacqueline's son, Stephen Badger, is the current chairman of Mars Inc., which brings in more than $35 billion in annual revenue.

Jacqueline's son, Stephen Badger, is the current chairman of Mars Inc., which brings in more than $35 billion in annual revenue.

Source: Business Insider

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2. Koch Industries has helped the Koch family build a fortune of $107 billion.

2. Koch Industries has helped the Koch family build a fortune of $107 billion.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

Brothers Charles and David Koch expanded their father's oil refinery firm into the conglomerate, which generates roughly $100 billion in revenue annually.

Brothers Charles and David Koch expanded their father's oil refinery firm into the conglomerate, which generates roughly $100 billion in revenue annually.

Source: Business Insider

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David has pledged to contribute more than $1.2 billion to cancer research, hospitals, education, and cultural institutions through the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation.

David has pledged to contribute more than $1.2 billion to cancer research, hospitals, education, and cultural institutions through the David H. Koch Charitable Foundation.

Source: Business Insider

Both brothers reportedly secretly funded some of the biggest summer movies of 2017, including "Wonder Woman."

Both brothers reportedly secretly funded some of the biggest summer movies of 2017, including "Wonder Woman."

Source: Business Insider

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1. The Walton family is the biggest family wealth dynasty in the US, worth $169.7 billion.

1. The Walton family is the biggest family wealth dynasty in the US, worth $169.7 billion.

Source: The Billionaire Bonanza Report

Their source of wealth comes from Walmart, which Sam and Bud Walton founded in 1962 before founding Sam's Club in 1983.

Their source of wealth comes from Walmart, which Sam and Bud Walton founded in 1962 before founding Sam's Club in 1983.

Source: Business Insider

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Today, Walmart reports sales of $500 billion, making it the largest retailer by revenue in the world.

Today, Walmart reports sales of $500 billion, making it the largest retailer by revenue in the world.

Source: Business Insider

The Walton family fortune is dispersed among seven family members, including co-founder Sam Walton's three children, Rob, Jim, and Alice.

The Walton family fortune is dispersed among seven family members, including co-founder Sam Walton's three children, Rob, Jim, and Alice.

Source: Business Insider

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Alice is the richest woman in the world, with a $44.9 billion fortune.

Alice is the richest woman in the world, with a $44.9 billion fortune.

Source: Business Insider, The Billionaire Bonanza Report

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