Here, we list the richest “old money” families in America who didn’t just cling to their fortunes – they catapulted them into the stratosphere. Indeed, these “old money” families in the US have truly stood the test of time.
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How The 5 Richest “Old Money” Families in America Made Their Wealth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLsGJLcQl6w
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The “Old Money” Families Who Built America (Documentary): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xojUgLnkEh0
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TIMESTAMPS:
1:40 #5 The Dupont Family ($18.1 Billion)
6:08 #4 The Hearst Family ($28 Billion)
10:55 #3 The Johnson Family of Fidelity Investments ($37 Billion)
15:10 #2 The Cargill-MacMillan Family ($56.2 Billion)
18:43 #1 Mars Family ($115.4 Billion)
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In the formidable social hierarchy of the United States, “old money” represents families whose fortunes have been passed down like cherished heirlooms across generations.
These are the dynasties whose wealth seems to have tapped into the fountain of youth, maintaining their affluence through the ages with a blend of style and savvy investment.
Today, we delve into the opulent world of America’s wealthiest old money families, from the early Vanderbilts and Goulds, whose once colossal fortunes have since dwindled, to the financial phoenixes like the Rockefellers and Mellons, who transformed their “new money” into enduring old money legacies.
This episode of Old Money Luxury showcases those who have not only maintained their wealth but propelled it into the stratosphere.
Kicking off our list at number five are the Du Ponts, with a net worth of $18.1 billion.
This family started with Eleuthère Irénée du Pont, a French chemist who migrated to the United States and founded a gunpowder mill in 1802.
This venture was just the beginning of a family saga marked by innovation and expansion into industries ranging from dynamite to the nascent automotive sector, notably acquiring significant stakes in General Motors.
Despite their substantial influence, the Du Ponts have faced their share of controversies, including environmental lawsuits and dramatic family disputes, notably the tragic case of John Eleuthère du Pont. Today, they continue to influence through various business ventures and significant philanthropic efforts.
At number four, with $28 billion, are the Hearsts.
Originating from George Hearst’s successful mining investments, his son William Randolph Hearst created a media empire starting with the San Francisco Examiner and expanding across newspapers, magazines, and even film studios. His legacy, managed through a tightly held trust ensuring long-term family control, includes vast media holdings and investments that continue to yield substantial revenues.
The Johnson family of Fidelity Investments ranks third with $37 billion.
Founded by Edward C. Johnson II in 1946, Fidelity was a pioneer in mutual funds.
His son, Ned Johnson, expanded the company into a global financial services leader, with Fidelity now managing trillions in assets.
Today, Edward’s granddaughter, Abigail Johnson, leads the company, continuing its legacy of innovation, including venturing into cryptocurrencies.
Second place belongs to the Cargill-MacMillan family, worth $56.2 billion.
Their wealth originates from William Wallace Cargill’s agribusiness ventures in the 19th century.
Today, Cargill, Inc. remains the largest private corporation in the U.S. by revenue, with family members holding significant wealth and maintaining private control over the company’s operations, which span across global markets.
Topping the list are the Mars family, with a staggering net worth of $115.4 billion, derived from the candy empire built by Franklin Clarence Mars.
Mars, Incorporated, known for products like Milky Way, Snickers, and M&M’s, has expanded into pet care and other food products, diversifying the family’s holdings.
Family members, including Jacqueline and John Mars, have largely stepped back from day-to-day operations but continue to oversee the growth and strategic direction of the conglomerate.
These families exemplify the quintessential American “old money” story, demonstrating not just the ability to maintain wealth over generations but to adapt and expand their legacies in the face of changing times and industries.
In this exclusive circle, longevity and the ability to innovate are what set these families apart, ensuring their place in the annals of American financial history.
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COMMENT: Which of these “old money” families would you like us to do a longer-form, in-depth history of?
Same topic about European families would be amazing too🔥🔥
How about the Van Rensselaer family. I understand that at one time they lived on the interest on their interest.
What about Cox family
I once worked with Nestle. I would like to hear about their founders..
Kindly do The Koch Family old money history mini documentary
Being familiar with Cargill holdings in Florida, perhaps some reporting on the land usage of these ultra-high net worth families.
The funny thing is as if Cargill. ever went public. They'd be 3 times the size of the Mars family.
More on the Hearst Family.
Try to do about south East Asian families too 😊
HEY YOUR NEXT VIDEO DO IT ON THE OLD MONEY BUSCH FAMILY OF ANHEUSER BUSCH
ALSO DO SOME VIDEOS ON EUROPEAN OLD MONEY
What about the Waltons?
Old money current generations are sort of hit or miss. Rockefellers seem to be doing really well and maintaining a low profile. DuPonts? Not so much with John DuPont doing time for murder, but I guess his money did get him a good enough lawyer to convince the jurors that he was "mentally ill" and therefore didn't do jail time.
Wow.
Very well researched, and magnificently narrated.
Some of the old money: Revolutionary war. War bonds were purchased by patriots. When things got rough, some were forced to sell their bonds at a fraction of their worth. These were purchased by the existing wealthy families. If we lost the war, not much loss of investment, and if we won, majorly profitable.
After the war, Washington and Jefferson nearly fought a duel over it. Washington held that the new government must honor its debts. Jefferson argued that an entire war had just been fought to be rid of such people and they should NOT pay them off.
In the end, they were paid off. Jefferson left never to return. He dropped the duel because cooler heads convinced him that the new government couldn’t afford to have public dissent in its members.
The families still remain wealthy and live on the east coast.
Do you want a challenge? I see you still did not have the bravery to make a video about truly shadowy families, the real shadow-masters who have roots back from Roman times and whose wealth is measured not in billions, not even in trillions but quadrillions of dollars, amounts imaginable to mere mortals. One such family disguise themselves today as "centuries old vine producing family" and their name in Frescobaldi. However, in reality they are at least 12 centuries old banking family who financed most of the wars in Europe in the past ten centuries and who today have Rothschilds and Windsors in their pocket. You really won't find much about them on google but if you truly are good in your researches, you can still dig up many things about them.
Strong families. Nice to hear something about them. Thank you for your documentation.