Bloomberg has published its list of the richest families of 2024, and there is no surprise at the top. Indeed, the descendants of one Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, have yet again topped the list of the world’s richest families.
Their combined worth rose this year to a staggering $432.4 billion, and there is no sign of slowing down. It’s quite the opposite. Since early December 2024, Alice, Jim, and Rob Walton have seen their Walmart stocks rise by 80 percent this year.
This increase in their combined stock value by $172.7 billion this year, $473.2 million a day, and $328,577 a minute. Thanks to this remarkable surge, the Waltons were able to reclaim the top spot in the list that was taken from Emirati royals in 2023.
The Al Nahyan takes the second spot as the second richest family in the world
The second richest family in the world is the Al Nahyan family, from the United Arab Emirates. Indeed, they are the rulers of the Abu Dhabi Emirate, where most of the country’s oil reserves are located. There are three generations of Al Nahyan family members, and their wealth currently amounts to $323.9 billion.
Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan rules Abu Dhabi and is also the country’s president. Indeed, this is the case for other members of the Al Nahyan family who also hold positions in government.
Perhaps the best example is Sheik Tahnoon, the national security advisor, and manages personal and sovereign funds worth roughly $1.5 trillion.
The Al Thani family of Qatar came in third, with a wealth worth $172.9 billion
The Al Thani family has ruled over Qatar since the mid-19th century. There have been 8 generations in the family, so they have accumulated a substantial amount of wealth.
Oil and gas discovered in the mid-20th century skyrocketed the Al Thani family’s wealth, allowing the family to be amongst the richest on the planet.
Similarly to the Al Nahyan family, many family members occupy government positions, meaning they dominate the local economy and own a great variety of businesses. In recent years, however, they have diversified their assets, as the family now holds homes in London’s Mayfair, and the fashion label Valentino.
This is also no small family, as the number of Al Thani family members is in the thousands, as they make up almost half of Qatar’s citizenry. But still, power is concentrated in select branches.
Some of the other richest families in the world are comprised of Hermes, Koch, and the Al Saud Families
- The Hermes family. They are French and own the luxury brand Hermes. Their wealth amasses to $170.6 billion.
- The Koch family from the United States inherited their father’s oil firm and is now a Wichita, Kansas-based conglomerate, Koch Inc. Their wealth amasses to $148.5 billion.
- The Al Saud family from Saudi Arabia, hold the nation’s Oil reserves and are the ruling family. Their wealth is estimated to be $140 billion.
- The Mars family, from the United States, have amassed a fortune of close to $133.8 billion over 5 generations. They also own M&M’s, Milky Way, and Snickers bars.
- The Ambani family from India holds a wealth of $99.6 billion, thanks to their conglomerate owning the world’s largest oil refining complex.
- The Wertheimer family from France, own Chanel, and over three generations, they have amassed a wealth of $88 billion.
- The Thomson family, from Canada, and owners of Thomson Reuters, have amassed a wealth of close to $87.1 billion, over three generations.
- The Johnson Family, who own Fidelity Investments, have also amassed a wealth of $72.4 billion over 3 generations.
- The Albrecht family, owners of popular supermarket brand Aldi, have amassed a wealth of $60.2 billion over three generations.
- The Pritzker Family, which owns many businesses such as hotels, and real estate companies, is one of America’s oldest dynasties. Over four generations, they have amassed wealth worth $59.4 billion.
- The Cargill MacMillan family, who owns Cargill, has amassed wealth worth $56 billion over seven generations.
- Number fifteen on the list of the richest families in the world, is the Ofer family from Israel, with companies in shipping, real estate, energy, and a variety of other industries. Their wealth has amassed to $55.6 billion.