Are These Truly the Richest Families in America? The Rankings Will Shock You

The richest families in America now control fortunes that would rival the economies of some countries. The Walton family alone is worth an estimated $520 billion.

These fortunes come from very different businesses. Walmart built the Walton fortune, Koch, Inc. created the Koch family’s industrial wealth, and companies such as Fidelity, Cargill, Hyatt, Chick-fil-A, and Mars built other major family fortunes.

But the size of these fortunes tells only part of the story. Ownership structures, trusts, family businesses, investment companies, and philanthropic foundations can also shape how family wealth is held and transferred across generations.

Who are the richest families in America in 2026?

The table below highlights 50 of the leading families, their main Venture, and their estimated 2026 fortunes. The detailed profiles that follow explain how these businesses built and continue to support their family wealth.

Rank	Family	Venture	2026 Net Worth
1	Walton	Walmart	$520B
2	Koch	Koch, Inc.	$157B
3	Mars	Mars, Inc.	$129B
4	Edward Johnson	Fidelity	$69.5B
5	Cargill-MacMillan	Cargill	$67.9B
6	Pritzker	Hotels, investments	$53.2B
7	Duncan	Pipelines	$43B
8	Cathy	Chick-fil-A	$40.2B
9	S.C. Johnson	Cleaning products	$39B
10	Cox	Media	$38B
11	Reyes	Food and beverage distribution	$31B
12	Mills	Medline	$29.6B
13	Newhouse	Media	$28.1B
14	Butt	H-E-B	$26.6B
15	Hunt	Oil, investments	$25.6B
16	Busch	Anheuser-Busch	$24.4B
17	Marriott	Hotels	$23.5B
18	Smith	Industrial and financial businesses	$23.1B
19	Du Pont	Chemicals, investments	$22B
20	Hearst	Media	$21.8B
21	Millstone-Winter-Heyman	Standard Industries	$21.7B
22	Ziff	Publishing, investments	$21.6B
23	Lauder	Estée Lauder	$21.5B
24	Meijer	Supermarkets	$21.4B
25	Johnson	Johnson & Johnson, New York Jets	$20.5B
26	Taylor	Enterprise Mobility	$20B
27	Crown	Investments, manufacturing	$18.3B
28	Winchester	Quikrete	$18B
29	Simon	Shopping malls	$17.3B
30	Mellon	Banking	$17.2B
31	Bass	Oil, investments	$17.1B
32	Dorrance	Campbell’s	$16.5B
33	Haslam	Truck stops, sports	$16.4B
34	Estes	Trucking	$16.3B
35	Stryker	Medical equipment	$16B
36	Jenkins	Publix Super Markets	$15.2B
37	Hughes	Public Storage	$14.7B
38	Farmer	Cintas	$13.7B
38	Tisch	Loews, New York Giants	$13.7B
40	Charles and Rupert Johnson	Mutual funds	$13.4B
41	Richards	Southwire	$13.1B
42	DeBartolo-York	San Francisco 49ers, shopping centers	$12.8B
43	Perot	Investments, technology	$12.8B
44	Rollins	Orkin	$12.7B
45	Love	Travel centers	$12.5B
45	Rockefeller	Oil, investments	$12.5B
47	Glazer	Sports, real estate	$12.1B
48	Kohler	Plumbing products	$11.6B
49	E.W. Scripps	Media	$11.5B
50	Simplot	Agribusiness	$10.9B

1. Walton family

• Venture: Walmart
• 2026 Net Worth: $520 billion
• Business Sector: Retail, e-commerce and logistics

The richest families in America include the Waltons, whose fortune was built through Walmart, founded by Sam Walton in 1962. Forbes estimates that nearly 39% of Walmart is held through two family holding companies by Sam Walton’s three living children and the families of his late son John. Charitable trusts connected to John Walton hold another estimated 6% stake. Family members also own major sports assets, including the Denver Broncos.

2. Koch family

• Venture: Koch, Inc.
• 2026 Net Worth: $157 billion
• Business Sector: Energy, chemicals, manufacturing, and technology

The Koch family built its fortune through Koch, Inc., founded by Fred Koch. Charles Koch retains a 42% voting stake, while the family of his late brother David Koch holds another 42% through David’s heirs. The family also has investments through Koch Disruptive Technologies, while Charles Koch has transferred $5.3 billion in nonvoting Koch stock to two nonprofit organizations.

3. Mars family

• Venture: Mars, Inc.
• 2026 Net Worth: $129 billion
• Business Sector: Confectionery, snacks, food, and pet care

The Mars family owns Mars, Inc., the privately held company behind brands such as M&M’s, Snickers, and Pedigree. The company generated about $65 billion in sales and expanded its snack business with the $35.9 billion acquisition of Kellanova in 2025. Family members remain involved at the board level, while professional executives manage day-to-day operations.

4. Edward Johnson family

• Venture: Fidelity Investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $69.5 billion
• Business Sector: Asset management and financial services

The Johnson family built its fortune through Fidelity Investments. The family owns about 49% of Fidelity, while employees own the remaining 51%. Abigail Johnson represents the third generation of the family to lead the company and serves as chairman and CEO.

5. Cargill-MacMillan family

• Venture: Cargill
• 2026 Net Worth: $67.9 billion
• Business Sector: Agriculture, food and commodities

The family fortune comes from Cargill, founded in 1865 as a grain storage business. Descendants of founder William Wallace Cargill own an estimated 88% of the company, which generated about $154 billion in revenue. More than 100 family members are connected to the business, including 21 billionaires.

6. Pritzker family

• Venture: Hyatt Hotels and investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $53.2 billion
• Business Sector: Hotels and diversified investments

The Pritzker family built its fortune through Hyatt and a broad investment portfolio. The family still owns about 55% of Hyatt’s stock and 89% of its voting rights. Multiple Pritzker family members remain connected to Hyatt’s board and ownership structure.

7. Duncan family

• Venture: Enterprise Products Partners
• 2026 Net Worth: $43 billion
• Business Sector: Oil and gas pipelines and energy infrastructure

Dan Duncan built the family fortune through Enterprise Products Partners, which he founded in 1968. His four children inherited stakes in the pipeline company after he died in 2010. Enterprise Products Partners operates more than 50,000 miles of oil and gas pipelines, along with storage and processing facilities.

8. Cathy family

• Venture: Chick-fil-A
• 2026 Net Worth: $40.2 billion
• Business Sector: Restaurants and food service

Chick-fil-A is the business behind the Cathy family’s place on the list of the richest families in America. Founded by S. Truett Cathy in 1946, the privately held restaurant chain remains family-controlled, with descendants involved in ownership and leadership. Its extensive U.S. restaurant network continues to generate most of the family’s wealth.

9. S.C. Johnson family

• Venture: S.C. Johnson & Son
• 2026 Net Worth: $39 billion
• Business Sector: Household and cleaning products

The Johnson family owns S.C. Johnson & Son, the company behind brands including Windex, Glade, and Ziploc. The business remains privately held and family-controlled after more than a century of operation. Its consumer-product portfolio is the main source of the family’s fortune.

10. Cox family

• Venture: Cox Enterprises
• 2026 Net Worth: $38 billion
• Business Sector: Media, communications, and automotive services

The Cox family fortune began with newspaper publishing and grew into Cox Enterprises. The privately held company now has businesses spanning Cox Communications, Cox Automotive, and media. Family members continue to own and oversee the broader enterprise.

11. Reyes family

• Venture: Reyes Holdings
• 2026 Net Worth: $31 billion
• Business Sector: Food and beverage distribution

The Reyes family built its fortune through Reyes Holdings, a major food and beverage distributor. The company distributes products for brands including McDonald’s and operates beverage distribution businesses across multiple markets. The family remains closely involved in the privately held company.

12. Mills family

• Venture: Medline
• 2026 Net Worth: $29.6 billion
• Business Sector: Medical supplies and healthcare products

The Mills family built Medline from a business that began selling butcher aprons in Chicago stockyards in 1910. The family owns about 18% of Medline following its 2025 public listing, while the family also benefited from selling 79% of the company to private-equity firms in 2021. Charlie Mills remains chairman and sits on the board with other family members.

13. Newhouse family

• Venture: Advance Publications
• 2026 Net Worth: $28.1 billion
• Business Sector: Publishing, media, and digital businesses

The Newhouse family built its fortune through Advance Publications, founded by S.I. Newhouse. The privately held company has owned major media properties and investments across publishing and digital businesses. Multiple generations of the family remain involved in ownership.

14. Butt family

• Venture: H-E-B
• 2026 Net Worth: $26.6 billion
• Business Sector: Grocery retail

The Butt family owns H-E-B, the Texas-based supermarket chain founded by Florence Butt in 1905. The business has remained privately held and family-controlled while expanding across Texas and northern Mexico. Family members continue to oversee the company.

15. Hunt family

• Venture: Hunt Oil and investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $25.6 billion
• Business Sector: Oil, energy, and professional sports

H.L. Hunt built the family’s original fortune through oil exploration and production. His descendants continued the energy business through Hunt Oil and Petro-Hunt while other branches diversified into investments and sports. Lamar Hunt also founded the Kansas City Chiefs, which remain family-owned.

16. Busch family

• Venture: Anheuser-Busch
• 2026 Net Worth: $24.4 billion
• Business Sector: Beer and beverages

The Busch family’s fortune traces back to Adolphus Busch, co-founder of Anheuser-Busch. The family sold the company to InBev for about $52 billion in 2008, turning its operating stake into substantial financial wealth. Some descendants later pursued independent beverage businesses and investments.

17. Marriott family

• Venture: Marriott International
• 2026 Net Worth: $23.5 billion
• Business Sector: Hotels and hospitality

J. Willard and Alice Marriott began with a small root beer stand in 1927 before entering the hotel business. Their descendants still own about 17% of Marriott International. David Marriott, grandson of the founder, serves as board chairman.

18. Smith family

• Venture: Illinois Tool Works and Northern Trust
• 2026 Net Worth: $23.1 billion
• Business Sector: Manufacturing and financial services

The Smith family fortune comes from stakes connected to Illinois Tool Works and Northern Trust. The family has diversified its wealth across industrial manufacturing and financial services rather than relying on a single operating company. Family ownership interests remain an important part of the fortune.

19. Du Pont family

• Venture: DuPont
• 2026 Net Worth: $22 billion
• Business Sector: Chemicals and industrial materials

The Du Pont fortune began with Éleuthère Irénée du Pont, who founded the company in 1802 as a gunpowder manufacturer. The business grew into a major chemicals company, creating wealth across many generations. Forbes identifies the Du Ponts as the oldest family on its 2026 ranking, now in their ninth generation.

20. Hearst family

• Venture: Hearst Corporation
• 2026 Net Worth: $21.8 billion
• Business Sector: Media, publishing, and information services

The Hearst family fortune began with newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. Hearst Corporation has since expanded beyond newspapers into magazines, television, digital media, and business information. The company remains privately held by the Hearst family.

21. Millstone-Winter-Heyman family

• Venture: Standard Industries
• 2026 Net Worth: $21.7 billion
• Business Sector: Building materials and industrial products

The family fortune is tied to Standard Industries, a privately held industrial company with businesses in roofing and building materials. The family’s ownership has been passed through multiple generations as the company expanded its industrial portfolio.

22. Ziff family

• Venture: Ziff Davis
• 2026 Net Worth: $21.6 billion
• Business Sector: Digital media and technology publishing

The Ziff family built its original fortune through Ziff Davis, a publishing company known for technology and consumer magazines. The family’s wealth has continued through ownership and investments connected to the company’s digital media businesses.

23. Lauder family

• Venture: Estée Lauder Companies
• 2026 Net Worth: $21.5 billion
• Business Sector: Beauty and cosmetics

Estée Lauder founded her cosmetics company in 1946 and turned it into a global beauty business. The Lauder family owns about 35% of the company’s stock but controls about 84% of its voting power. Family members have held board and executive positions across generations.

24. Meijer family

• Venture: Meijer
• 2026 Net Worth: $21.4 billion
• Business Sector: Supermarkets and retail

The Meijer family built its fortune through the privately held Meijer supermarket chain. Hendrik Meijer started the business as a grocery store before the family expanded it into a major supercenter retailer across the Midwest. The company remains family-owned.

25. Johnson family

• Venture: Johnson & Johnson and New York Jets
• 2026 Net Worth: $20.5 billion
• Business Sector: Healthcare and professional sports

The Johnson family ranks among the richest families in America, with wealth tied to the Johnson & Johnson healthcare business and ownership of the New York Jets. Its holdings have grown beyond healthcare into sports and other investments.

26. Taylor family

• Venture: Enterprise Mobility
• 2026 Net Worth: $20 billion
• Business Sector: Car rental and mobility services

The Taylor family built its fortune through Enterprise Rent-A-Car, which later became part of Enterprise Mobility. The privately held company operates rental, fleet-management, and mobility businesses worldwide. Family members remain involved in ownership and leadership.

27. Crown family

• Venture: Crown Holdings and investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $18.3 billion
• Business Sector: Packaging and investments

The Crown family built its industrial fortune through Crown Holdings, a major packaging company. The family has also diversified its wealth into private investments and other assets over multiple generations.

28. Winchester family

• Venture: Building materials
• 2026 Net Worth: $18 billion
• Business Sector: Construction and building products

Gene Winchester built the family fortune through Quikrete, which pioneered packaged concrete mixes and remains privately held. The Winchester family owns an estimated 100% of Quikrete, which expanded significantly after acquiring Summit Materials for $11.5 billion in 2025.

29. Simon family

• Venture: Simon Property Group
• 2026 Net Worth: $17.3 billion
• Business Sector: Shopping malls and commercial real estate

The Simon family is among the richest families in America, having built its fortune through Simon Property Group, one of the largest owners of shopping malls and retail properties in the U.S. The family has retained significant ownership while the company operates a large portfolio of retail real estate.

30. Mellon family

• Venture: Banking and investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $17.2 billion
• Business Sector: Banking, finance, and investments

Thomas Mellon established the family’s original fortune through banking and real estate in the 19th century. Later generations expanded into industrial investments, including interests that became connected to Alcoa and Gulf Oil. The family has since diversified its wealth across financial and private investments.

31. Bass family

• Venture: Oil and investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $17.1 billion
• Business Sector: Energy, real estate, and investments

The Bass family built its original fortune through oil production in Texas. Later generations diversified the family’s wealth into real estate, private equity, and other investments, reducing its reliance on the original energy business.

32. Dorrance family

• Venture: Campbell Soup
• 2026 Net Worth: $16.5 billion
• Business Sector: Packaged food

John T. Dorrance developed condensed soup for the Campbell Soup Company in the late 19th century, creating the family’s fortune. Descendants have continued to hold substantial investments tied to the company while diversifying their personal wealth.

33. Haslam family

• Venture: Pilot and sports
• 2026 Net Worth: $16.4 billion
• Business Sector: Travel centers, logistics and professional sports

The Haslam family built its fortune through Pilot, the highway travel-center business founded by Jim Haslam. The family later expanded into sports ownership, including the Cleveland Browns of the NFL. Family members remain active across the business and sports holdings.

34. Estes family

• Venture: Estes Express Lines
• 2026 Net Worth: $16.3 billion
• Business Sector: Freight transportation

The Estes family built its fortune through Estes Express Lines, founded in 1931 as a small trucking operation. The privately held company grew into a major less-than-truckload freight carrier. The family continues to own and operate the business.

35. Stryker family

• Venture: Stryker Corporation
• 2026 Net Worth: $16 billion
• Business Sector: Medical technology and equipment

The family fortune comes from Stryker Corporation, founded by orthopedic surgeon Homer Stryker. The company became a major medical-technology business focused on surgical and orthopedic equipment. Family members have continued to benefit from their ownership stake while professional management runs the company.

36. Jenkins family

• Venture: Publix
• 2026 Net Worth: $15.2 billion
• Business Sector: Grocery retail

The Jenkins family built its fortune through Publix Super Markets, founded by George Jenkins in 1930. Publix remains employee-owned, with the Jenkins family retaining a significant ownership interest and family members serving in leadership roles. The company operates a supermarket network across the Southeast.

37. Hughes family

• Venture: Public Storage
• 2026 Net Worth: $14.7 billion
• Business Sector: Self-storage real estate

B. Wayne Hughes Sr. founded Public Storage in 1972 and built it into the world’s largest owner of storage facilities. His children Tamara Gustavson and B. Wayne Hughes Jr. still own about 10% of the company, with Gustavson serving as a director.

38. Farmer family

• Venture: Cintas
• 2026 Net Worth: $13.7 billion
• Business Sector: Uniform rental and commercial services

The Farmer family built Cintas from a small industrial-laundry operation into a major provider of workplace uniforms and commercial services. The family owns about 14% of the publicly traded company, while Scott Farmer remains chairman after serving as CEO.

38. Tisch family

• Venture: Loews Corporation and investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $13.7 billion
• Business Sector: Insurance, energy, hospitality and packaging

Brothers Bob and Larry Tisch built the family’s fortune through Loews after acquiring Loews Theaters in 1959. The family later expanded into insurance, energy, hospitality, and packaging and became one of the richest families in America. The extended Tisch family owns about 33% of Loews, with multiple generations involved in leadership.

40. Charles and Rupert Johnson family

• Venture: Franklin Resources
• 2026 Net Worth: $13.4 billion
• Business Sector: Asset management

The Johnson family built its fortune through Franklin Resources, the investment-management company founded by Rupert Johnson Sr. The family owns about 39% of the company, and multiple generations have held leadership roles. Jenny Johnson, a member of the third generation, serves as CEO.

41. Richards family

• Venture: Southwire
• 2026 Net Worth: $13.1 billion
• Business Sector: Electrical wire and cable manufacturing

Richards family built its fortune through Southwire, a major U.S. manufacturer of electrical wire and cable. The company was founded in Carrollton, Georgia, in 1950 and remains privately held. The Richards family joined Forbes’ 2026 ranking as a new entrant.

42. DeBartolo-York family

• Venture: San Francisco 49ers, shopping centers
• 2026 Net Worth: $12.8 billion
• Business Sector: Professional sports and real estate

Edward DeBartolo Jr. built the family’s fortune through shopping centers and real estate. His sister Denise DeBartolo York took controlling ownership of the San Francisco 49ers in 2001, and her family continues to run the NFL team. DeBartolo Holdings remains involved in real estate investments, including apartments, development sites, and hotels.

43. Perot family

• Venture: Technology and investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $12.8 billion
• Business Sector: Technology, real estate, and investments

The Perot family is among the richest families in America, with a fortune that Forbes currently classifies primarily as investments. Ross Perot Sr. founded Electronic Data Systems in 1962 and sold it to General Motors for $2.5 billion in 1984. His son Ross Perot Jr. later used part of his father’s fortune to establish Hillwood, a real estate company where he remains chairman.

44. Rollins family

• Venture: Rollins, Inc.
• 2026 Net Worth: $12.7 billion
• Business Sector: Pest control

Brothers John and Wayne Rollins built the family’s fortune after acquiring Orkin in 1964. Orkin remains the largest business within Rollins, which has become a major pest-control company. The family owns about 38% of Rollins.

45. Love family

• Venture: Love’s Travel Stops
• 2026 Net Worth: $12.5 billion
• Business Sector: Travel centers, fuel and convenience retail

The Love family built its fortune through Love’s Travel Stops, which began with a small Oklahoma service station in 1964. The privately held company has expanded into a nationwide network of travel centers serving commercial drivers and motorists.

45. Rockefeller family

• Venture: Oil and investments
• 2026 Net Worth: $12.5 billion
• Business Sector: Energy, finance, and philanthropy

John D. Rockefeller built the family’s original fortune through Standard Oil. Now in its seventh generation, the Rockefeller family has diversified its wealth across investments, real estate, and financial assets. Family foundations and charitable organizations also remain an important part of the family’s legacy.

47. Glazer family

• Venture: Sports and real estate
• 2026 Net Worth: $12.1 billion
• Business Sector: Professional sports and property

The Glazer family built its original fortune through real estate before becoming major sports owners. The family’s holdings include the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and interests connected to Manchester United. Real estate and sports remain central to the family’s wealth.

48. Kohler family

• Venture: Kohler Co.
• 2026 Net Worth: $11.6 billion
• Business Sector: Plumbing products, kitchens and bathrooms

The Kohler family built its fortune through Kohler Co., founded in 1873 and best known for plumbing fixtures and bathroom products. The privately held company has expanded into furniture, hospitality, and other businesses while remaining family-controlled.

49. E.W. Scripps family

• Venture: Scripps media businesses
• 2026 Net Worth: $11.5 billion
• Business Sector: Television, news and digital media

The Scripps family fortune began with the newspaper business created by E.W. Scripps in the 19th century. The family later expanded into television and digital media through E.W. Scripps Company. Family members continue to hold a significant ownership interest.

50. Simplot family

• Venture: J.R. Simplot Company
• 2026 Net Worth: $10.9 billion
• Business Sector: Agribusiness, food and fertilizer

J.R. Simplot built the family fortune through potatoes and agribusiness. His company developed commercially viable frozen French fries and became a major supplier to McDonald’s. The privately held J.R. Simplot Company has since expanded into phosphate mining and fertilizers, while Simplot family members own 100% of the company and hold four board seats.

Conclusion

The richest families in America built their fortunes through businesses spanning retail, manufacturing, energy, healthcare, food, media, finance, and real estate. Many have also kept significant family ownership as their companies expanded across generations.

Their stories show that building a large family fortune is only part of the challenge. Maintaining ownership, managing assets, and passing wealth to the next generation can shape how these businesses continue to grow and influence their industries.

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