The United States Of America has made itself the home to the most billionaires in the world. From tech companies to retail chains, these families hold in their hands the American economy and have done so for generations before and will do so after.
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But who are they really? Today, we are going to find out. We are lifting the curtain and giving you a glimpse into the life of America’s richest families. Take a look at how they spend their billions of inherited wealth and how it affects us all.
The Bezos Family-Net Worth: $137 Billion
Starting off the list is a name which is famous around the world. Jeff Bezos created his Amazon empire is rather controversial ways but regardless of that, it has made him the richest man in the world.
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The CEO and founder of Amazon had humble beginnings where once his parents struggled to pay their house payments. Well, gone are those days thanks to Bezos’s hefty net worth and yearly new acquisitions, Amazon just acquired the grocery chain, Whole Foods.
The Johnson Family- Net Worth: $28.5 Billion
Most people don’t know the name Fidelity Investments but its CEO and chairwoman is often dubbed as the most powerful women in the world. Abigail Johnson took over her family’s investment business, which was founded by her grandfather.
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Her personal net worth alone gives her a secure place on the list, reaching $16.5 billion with her family’s net worth being $30 billion. Their company employed nearly 45,000 people worldwide.
The Ellison Family- Net Worth: $59.9 Billion
Larry Ellison, the co-founder of the Oracle Corporation tech empire, is one of the world’s top ten richest men. With only an investment of $ 2,000, half of which was borrowed, he created one of the most prominent tech companies in the world and changed the tech sector forever.
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The tech pioneer has many personal holdings, such as a private island in Hawaii which has a population of 3000. His two kids, David, and Megan Ellison are also involved with the business and have used their wealth to fund Hollywood films.
The Lauder Family-Net Worth: $24.3 Billion
Beauty enthusiast or not, the name Estée Lauder has a certain status to it and that is worth nearly 25 billion dollars today. Started after the Second World War by Estée and Joseph Lauder, who were husband and wife.
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Their company offered no more than four products: cleansing oil, a crème pack, all-purpose crème, and skin lotion, at the start. Suprinsgly, the company has managed to stay in the hands of family members since its conception.
The Spielberg Family- Net Worth: $3.7 Billion
Speilberg was one of the few names on our list, who has earned their billions not because of business deals or property development or a massive inherence but because of creative talent. Spielberg directed some of the highest-grossing movies of all time.
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Jaws, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, and Schindler’s List are just a few names in Steven’s extensive Filmography. That’s not all though, he also works in real estate investments and has a nice chunk of lucrative holdings, which bring in a hefty profit.
The Ziff Family- Net Worth: $14.4 Billion
It has only been a few years since the Ziff family decided that they would close their hedge fund business down but that doesn’t mean that they have lost any of their wealth. Despite not having any branches in America anymore, the Investment firm is still a prominent part of Wall Street.
The bulk of the wealth for the family comes from third-party holdings, such as property, stocks and other investments. The brothers, Dirk, Robert and Daniel Ziff all have gone their separate ways.
The Butt Family- Net Worth: $11 Billion
The texas-based family made their billions with a small family-owned grocery store chain called H.E.B. Grocery which opened in 1905. Florence Butt, the matriarch of the family opened the store to support her husband and his worsening condition, he was diagnosed with bacterial disease.
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After securing finances, she finally opened the store and was able to afford her husband’s medicine. All her struggles paid off and now the chain has 329 stores in Texas and 54 stores in Mexico and is a huge tourist attraction in the area making it a priceless American institution.
The Lucas Family- Net Worth: $5.5 Billion
Another name that made it into the list based on their creativity rather than a family name. George Lucas earned the title of being the richest celebrity figure, thanks to the success of Star Wars.
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Apart from film, Lucas has also pioneered computer technology and under his own company, he has helped publish several different video games which use advanced technology such as Skywalker Sound, Industrial Light & Magic, and many more.
The Jordan Family- Net Worth: $1.9 Billion
Micheal Jordan is a formidable man, not only because of his basketball skills but through his star status, the man has created an empire all by himself. He climbed through the ranks playing for the Chicago Bulls in the NBA and instantly became an inspiration for fans.
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He further diversified his income by being one of few sportsmen to star in Hollywood films and he then went on to sign multi-million dollar endorsements for Nike and Hanes. And of course, his Air Jordan line of sports shoes has only been a shiny little tool in growing his fortune to a neat $2 billion.
The Ballmer Family- Net worth: $47.8 Billion
This is what happens when you are one of the first employees of Microsoft – you have a net worth of $47.8 billion. Some might say Steve Ballmer was at the right place at the right time but regardless of that, the man has created quite a legacy.
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He moved his way up the company ladder and became CEO at Microsoft, helping grow the technology giant. Despite being a huge help to the company, Steve got bored and quit. Soon after, bought LA Clippers who are an NBA team, all he needed was $2 Billion! Which apparently the CEO had.
The Hilton Family- Net Worth: $4.5 Billion
Before Paris Hilton became a Hollywood Socialite, her ancestors were paving the way for the family’s success. The Hilton dynasty started in 1919 by Conrad Hilton. Since then the day-to-day running is still done by the Hilton family, an impressive feat.
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Conrad with his son, Barron decided to donate 97% of their multi-billion dollar fortune upon their deaths to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, whose mission is to relieve global suffering. A move that sparked many other billionaires to make a similar pledge.
The Murdoch Family- Net Worth: $19.8 Billion
One of the wealthiest family legacies all started with Rupert Murdoch. While his family had been in the media business for a long time, all they achieved was a lukewarm success. It was only when Rupert refused to be a part of his father’s legacy and wanted to create something of his did the family’s fortunes changed forever.
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His business, News Corp. started slowly first in Australia’s and New Zealand’s and then branched out into the UK, Asia, and the United States. Nowadays, The News Corp. owns a few shiny companies in their pocket such as Harper Collins and the Wall Street Journal and is a heavyweight in the world of media.
The Kardashian-Jenner Family- Net Worth: $2 Billion
Say what you will about The Kardashian-Jenner clan, they are a powerhouse of wealth and status. The family might have not risen to success in the most savoury way but now that they are on the top, there is no stopping them.
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It all started with their reality tv-show, Keeping Up With the Kardashians which recorded the young sister’s everyday life, from privacy scares to battling fraud. They broadcasted all. Earning themselves a hefty 2 billion dollars in the process.
The Walton Family: Net Worth: $151.5 Billion
Ironically, America’s richest family owns one of its most affordable retail chains ever, Walmart. Despite the dirt-cheap prices of the store, Walmart generates a whopping $ 482 billion in revenue.
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With the Walton family personally pocketing over $100 billion. The chain with the family who runs it is considered a cornerstone of the American economy and another reason the family has always kept shares closely guarded.
The Frist Family Net Worth: $11.9 Billion
Never heard of The Frist Family? Well, that is the way they like it. Despite the entire American Medical Care system standing on the families shoulder, they like to keep to themselves.
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Thomas Frist, Jr. was born into a family of doctors, in the late 1960s and with his father formed America’s Hospital Corporation. But their business isn’t limited to Medical Care, Thomas also served on the Board of Directors at IBM.
The Hearst Family- Net Worth: $24.5 Billion
William Randolph Hearst is the man responsible for the Hearst Empire and its many many and many business successes. While William was the son of a wealthy miner, he had his attorney borrow money on his behalf to purchase The San Francisco Examiner at only 24-years-old.
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His son, William II, later won the Pulitzer award as a journalist who is also the current head of the Hearst Corporation. The family Hearst Medical Resource Center is one of the finest in the country.
The Cuban Family- Net Worth: $3.9 Billion
It’s hard to believe that Mark Cuban once lived in a simple- working-class home and now the man has a net worth of $3.9 Billion. Apart from his Hollywood success, he also made a name for himself with his business ventures.
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After spearheading many successful movies, documentaries, it was the purchase of the Dallas Mavericks that grew his wealth. In 2017, Cuban had a medical scare that caused him to nearly lose his life but thankfully, he survived.
The Dorrance Family- Net Worth: $17.1 Billion
Would your grandma’s soup recipe earn you billions of dollars? Well, John Dorrance did. The family invented Campbell’s Soup, yes THAT Campbells. So, every time you enjoy a canned tomato soup, you are adding to the family’s growing net worth.
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Since 1897, The company has stayed solely in the hands of family members and it is now onto the 11th generation. With each new member adding more business to the family’s portfolio, Prego, Pepperidge Farms, and V8 to name a few.
The Knight Family- Net Worth: $33.8 Billion
The fitness aficionado of Phil Knight changed his life along with his family. The self-made billionaire founded Nike. He was inspired by Japanese shoes and said that his experience in the United States Army was a key player in helping him build the final design.
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Sadly, life hasn’t been all that rosy for the billionaire, despite his wealth. Knight’s son Matthew passed away from a sudden heart defect in 2004, which tore Phill apart, eventually leading to his departure as CEO of Nike.
The Powell-Jobs Family – Net Worth: $10.2 Billion
Apple changed the way we see technology in the 21st century. Of course, Steve Jobs changed phones forever but his advancements in other sectors of technological development can also never be ignored.
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The CEO sadly passed away in 2011. Jobs hid his battle with the disease until the last minute and left behind an unmatched legacy. In his will, Jobs made sure to leave a hefty sum of money to search more into what caused his illness and to help anyone else suffering from it.