In brief
- The Walton family is the richest family in the world with about $513.4 billion, per Bloomberg.
- The Al Nahyan family of Abu Dhabi is second with $335.9 billion.
- India’s Ambani family ranks eighth with $105.6 billion, the richest family in Asia.
- The 25 richest families held a combined $2.9 trillion in Bloomberg’s 2025 ranking.
As of October 2026, the Walton family of Walmart is the richest family in the world, with a fortune of about $513.4 billion according to Bloomberg’s World’s Richest Families ranking published in December 2025. The Al Nahyan family of Abu Dhabi ($335.9 billion) is second.
Bloomberg’s 2025 list shows that the 25 richest families in the world hold a combined $2.9 trillion. The top 10 includes four Gulf ruling families, three American business dynasties, two French luxury families and India’s Ambani family.
The ranking covers fortunes that have passed down at least one generation, so founders such as Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos are not included. For national wealth, see our ranking of the richest countries in the world.
Also readWorld’s 10 Richest People in 2026The 10 richest families in 2026 at a glance
| Rank | Family | Source of wealth | Country | Net worth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Walton | Walmart | United States | $513.4 billion |
| 2 | Al Nahyan | Abu Dhabi ruling family | UAE | $335.9 billion |
| 3 | Al Saud | Saudi ruling family | Saudi Arabia | $213.6 billion |
| 4 | Al Thani | Qatar ruling family | Qatar | $199.5 billion |
| 5 | Hermès | Hermès | France | $185 billion |
| 6 | Koch | Koch Inc. | United States | $150.5 billion |
| 7 | Mars | Mars Inc. | United States | $143.4 billion |
| 8 | Ambani | Reliance Industries | India | $105.6 billion |
| 9 | Wertheimer | Chanel | France | $85.6 billion |
| 10 | Thomson | Thomson Reuters | Canada | $82.1 billion |
1. Walton family: $513.4 billion
The Walton family has topped the list every year since Bloomberg began ranking dynasties. Their fortune comes from Walmart, the retailer Sam Walton founded in 1962, in which the family holds a stake of about 44%.
A rising Walmart share price has pushed the family’s wealth above half a trillion dollars. Sam Walton’s children Rob, Jim and Alice, along with grandson Lukas, are among the richest people in the world.
2. Al Nahyan family: $335.9 billion
The Al Nahyan family rules Abu Dhabi and the UAE. Bloomberg counts the wealth linked to the ruling family through its control of oil reserves, investment companies and businesses across the emirate.
Family members oversee some of the largest investment groups in the world, with holdings in technology, AI, real estate and sport, including Manchester City through Sheikh Mansour.
3. Al Saud family: $213.6 billion
The House of Saud has ruled Saudi Arabia since the kingdom was founded in 1932. Bloomberg estimates the family’s wealth from decades of payments, government contracts and services linked to the state, including Saudi Aramco.
The family is large, with thousands of members, so this wealth is spread across many people rather than held by a few.
4. Al Thani family: $199.5 billion
Qatar’s ruling Al Thani family draws its wealth from the country’s natural gas fields, among the largest in the world. Members also hold large personal assets abroad.
Through the Qatar Investment Authority and private holdings, Qatar has bought stakes in London property, luxury brands and sport, including Paris Saint-Germain.
5. Hermès family: $185 billion
The descendants of Thierry Hermès, who founded the company in Paris in 1837, control the luxury house best known for its Birkin and Kelly bags. More than 100 family members share the fortune.
The family manages its holdings through the investment arms Krefeld and Breithorn Holding. Hermès has kept high margins and long waiting lists for its bags, which has supported its share price.
6. Koch family: $150.5 billion
The Koch family owns Koch Inc., one of the largest private companies in the United States. Fred Koch founded the original oil refining business in 1940, and his sons grew it into a group covering energy, chemicals, paper and technology.
Charles Koch and the family of the late David Koch hold most of the wealth, which is managed through the family office 1888 Management.
7. Mars family: $143.4 billion
The Mars family owns Mars Inc., maker of M&M’s, Snickers and Twix, along with a large pet care business. Frank Mars started the company in 1911.
In 2024, Mars agreed to buy Kellanova, maker of Pringles and Cheez-It, in a deal worth about $36 billion, one of the largest food deals in years.
8. Ambani family: $105.6 billion
The Ambani family is the richest in Asia. Its fortune comes from Reliance Industries, the Mumbai based group that Dhirubhai Ambani founded and his son Mukesh Ambani now leads.
Reliance runs oil refining, petrochemicals, the Jio telecom network and Reliance Retail. Mukesh Ambani’s children Akash, Isha and Anant now run major parts of the group.
9. Wertheimer family: $85.6 billion
Brothers Alain and Gérard Wertheimer own Chanel, the French fashion and beauty house. Their grandfather Pierre Wertheimer backed Coco Chanel’s perfume business in the 1920s.
The family also invests through Mousse Partners, its New York family office.
10. Thomson family: $82.1 billion
The Thomson family of Canada controls about 70% of Thomson Reuters through its holding company Woodbridge. The company provides news and information services to lawyers, accountants and businesses.
David Thomson, chairman of Thomson Reuters, is the richest person in Canada.
How we ranked these
We used Bloomberg’s World’s Richest Families 2025 ranking, which values family fortunes as of early December 2025. It is the most recent full ranking available as of October 2026. Bloomberg’s next edition is expected at the end of 2026.
Bloomberg counts families whose wealth has passed through at least one generation. Figures for ruling families are estimates based on wealth linked to the family, not personal bank balances, and different reports may give slightly different numbers for the same family.
Sources: 24 Horas, Bloomberg richest families 2025, Quartz, world’s richest families 2025, The News, world’s richest families in 2025.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the richest family in the world?
The Walton family, which owns about 44% of Walmart, is the richest family in the world. Bloomberg valued their fortune at about $513.4 billion in its World’s Richest Families 2025 ranking, the latest full edition available as of October 2026.
Which is the richest family in India?
The Ambani family is the richest family in India and Asia, with a fortune of about $105.6 billion according to Bloomberg. Their wealth comes from Reliance Industries, which runs oil refining, petrochemicals, Jio telecom and Reliance Retail.
How rich is the Al Nahyan family?
Bloomberg estimated the Al Nahyan family’s wealth at about $335.9 billion in its 2025 ranking, making it the second richest family in the world. The family rules Abu Dhabi and controls large investment groups with global holdings.
Why are Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos not on the richest families list?
Bloomberg’s ranking only includes fortunes that have passed down at least one generation. First generation founders such as Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are counted on individual billionaire lists instead, not on the list of richest families.
How much do the 25 richest families own in total?
The 25 richest families in Bloomberg’s 2025 ranking held a combined fortune of about $2.9 trillion. The top three, the Waltons, the Al Nahyans and the Al Sauds, together account for more than $1 trillion of that total.
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