The Bloomberg list of the world’s richest families for 2024 reveals significant wealth disparities among the global elite. The Walton family, which owns Walmart, tops the list, surpassing not just other billionaire families but also the wealth of the world’s richest individual, Elon Musk. Notable families from India, including the Ambanis and Mistrys, also made it to the top 25, reflecting the growing influence of Indian billionaires on the global wealth stage.
Key Findings
1. Waltons of Walmart
- Wealth: $432.4 billion.
- Stake: 46% in Walmart, which has over 10,600 stores globally.
- Increase in Wealth: Walmart shares increased by 80% in 2024, adding $172.7 billion to their fortune.
- Daily Wealth Increase: $473.2 million per day or $328,577 per minute.
- Generations: Three generations of the Walton family, with strong control over Walmart’s operations.
2. Al Nahyan Family (UAE)
- Wealth: $323.9 billion.
- Sources of Wealth: Ruling family of the UAE, wealth primarily from oil and investments in various sectors.
- Generations: Three generations, with the current ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan serving as the country’s president.
- Economic Influence: Family-linked companies constitute over 65% of the Abu Dhabi stock index.
3. Al Thani Family (Qatar)
- Wealth: $172.9 billion.
- Sources of Wealth: Oil and offshore gas fields.
- Generations: Eight generations, with significant historical influence through the Ottoman and British empires.
- Economic Power: Dominant in Qatar’s wealth generation and control over vast energy resources.
4. Hermès Family (France)
- Wealth: $170.6 billion.
- Business: Luxury goods (Hermès brand), spanning six generations.
- Family Members: Includes key figures like executive chairman Axel Dumas and artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas.
- Industry Influence: Continues to lead in the global luxury market.
5. Koch Family (USA)
- Wealth: $148.5 billion.
- Sources of Wealth: Diversified interests, particularly in oil and petrochemicals.
- Generations: Three generations managing Koch Industries.
Indian Families in the List
Ambanis (India)
- Wealth: $99.6 billion.
- Business: Reliance Industries, a conglomerate with interests in energy, petrochemicals, retail, and telecommunications.
- Generations: Three generations, with Mukesh Ambani leading the conglomerate.
- Global Position: Ranked 8th on the list, reflecting Reliance’s growing influence in the global market.
Mistrys (India)
- Wealth: $41.4 billion.
- Business: Shapoorji Pallonji Group, involved in construction, real estate, and other sectors.
- Generations: Five generations leading the family business.
- Global Position: Ranked 23rd, showcasing their significant presence in the Indian and global construction sectors.
Other Key Families in the Top 15
- Al Saud Family (Saudi Arabia): Worth $140 billion.
- Mars Family (USA): Worth $133.8 billion from Mars Inc., a global candy company.
- Wertheimer Family (France): Worth $88 billion from the luxury brand Chanel.
- Thomson Family (Canada): Wealth of $87.1 billion from media company Thomson Reuters.
- Johnson Family (USA): Worth $72.4 billion, major holdings in Fidelity Investments.
| Summary/Static | Details |
| Why in the news? | World’s Richest Families 2024 |
| Family | Wealth (Billion USD) |
| 1. Waltons (Walmart) | 432.4 |
| 2. Al Nahyan (UAE) | 323.9 |
| 3. Al Thani (Qatar) | 172.9 |
| 4. Hermès (France) | 170.6 |
| 5. Koch (USA) | 148.5 |
| 6. Al Saud (Saudi Arabia) | 140.0 |
| 7. Mars (USA) | 133.8 |
| 8. Ambanis (India) | 99.6 |
| 9. Wertheimer (France) | 88.0 |
| 10. Thomson (Canada) | 87.1 |
| 11. Johnson (USA) | 72.4 |
| 12. Albrecht (Germany) | 60.2 |
| 13. Pritzker (USA) | 59.4 |
| 14. Cargill, MacMillan (USA) | 56.0 |
| 15. Ofer (Israel) | 55.6 |