I’m not sure about you, but while I was fortunate with a family who was able to give me most everything I both needed or wanted, I wasn’t born with a golden spoon in my mouth like others. TV shows like Rich Kids of Beverly Hills might get viewers jealous about kids running around and spending the money of their parents, but that cast has nothing on some of these families, as they are the richest in the world.
5. Michele Ferrero and Family – $20.4 billion
With more than 70 affiliated companies—mainly in sweets and chocolates like Tic-Tac, Ferrero Rocher and Nutella, this Italian company has shown that no cavity is too expensive. After inheriting the company in the 1950s following his father’s death, Michele and his sons have built the Ferrero Group into a worldwide corporation that employs nearly 20,000 people in various countries.
4. Christy Walton and Family – $28.2 billion
The widowed wife of Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club founder Sam Walton’s son John, Christy’s family shows that buying in bulk and rolling back prices is quite the family start-up. Inheriting her since passed husband’s wealth, Christy has proven to hold her own with financial decisions, investing in a few other ventures to continue to grow her net worth.
3. Bernard Arnault and Family – $29 billion
There’s a reason why brands like Louis Vuitton, Moet and Hennessy are often looked at as the tops in their respective industries—because the family who owns them are used to living the good life. The Arnault family operates those three brands exclusively and also have shares in Christian Dior, meaning they have stacks on stacks on stacks of as much cash as they want.
2. Liliane Bettencourt and Family – $30 billion
Inheriting nearly 30 percent stake in the makeup company L’Oreal, the Bettenrcourt family has proven that looking good has never been better. Although the family sits atop numerous boards with the French cosmetic company, they find themselves struggling with who is in charge, with a few of the members battling each other over leadership roles these days.
1. Carlos Slim Helu and Family – $73 billion
There’s a good chance you don’t know who Carlos Slim is, but he and his family own the Grupo Financiero Inbursa, a financial company, and Grupo Carso, an industrial and retail firm in Mexico. On top of owning those, his sons have taken ownership in a few of his other “smaller” companies, leading the family to a ridiculous amount of money.
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