1. The Waltons
The Walton family remains the wealthiest family in New York and the United States, with a combined net worth exceeding $250 billion according to the latest Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The bulk of the family's wealth is tied to Walmart Inc., the world's largest retailer by revenue, where the family controls more than 50% of voting shares. Sam Walton founded Walmart in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962, and the company now operates over 10,500 stores globally. The family's investment vehicles, including Walton Enterprises LLC and Walton Family Holdings Trust, hold significant stakes in Walmart, Arvest Bank, and various real estate and private equity assets. For the latest financial details, see the Walmart Inc. annual report and SEC filings.
Inside the family, the principal branches are led by the descendants of Sam Walton and his brother Bud Walton. Alice Walton founded Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas, while Rob Walton chairs Walmart's board. The family's public profile is shaped by its stake in Walmart, its private banking and investment operations, and its political giving through the Walton Family Foundation. The foundation has committed billions to education reform, affordable housing, and conservation initiatives across the United States.
2. The Mars Family
The Mars family controls Mars Inc., one of the largest privately held food and pet care companies in the world, with annual sales estimated at more than $45 billion. The family's net worth is estimated at over $130 billion, making them one of the richest families in New York and globally. Mars Inc. owns brands such as M&M's, Snickers, Pedigree, Whiskas, and Royal Canin, and operates in more than 80 countries. The company is wholly owned by the Mars family, with no public equity offering and limited external disclosures.
The Mars family's wealth is concentrated in a small group of heirs, with the company governed by a family council and a board of directors that includes both family members and independent directors. Mars Inc. has publicly committed to sustainability goals, including net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain by 2050. The company also invests in regenerative agriculture, packaging reduction, and supply chain transparency.
3. The Bloomberg Family
Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg LP and former mayor of New York City, has a net worth exceeding $100 billion according to Forbes and Bloomberg's own estimates. Bloomberg LP, headquartered in Manhattan, provides financial data, analytics, and media services to financial professionals worldwide and operates more than 130 bureaus globally. The company is majority-owned by Michael Bloomberg, who retains effective control through a combination of Class A and Class B share structures. Bloomberg LP's revenue is driven primarily by subscriptions to the Bloomberg Terminal, a flagship tool used by traders, analysts, and corporate finance teams.
The Bloomberg family's financial influence extends beyond Bloomberg LP through Michael Bloomberg's personal investments, philanthropic commitments, and political advocacy. Bloomberg Philanthropies focuses on climate change, public health, education, and gun violence prevention, with total pledges exceeding $14 billion. Michael Bloomberg has also made significant investments in technology, real estate, and media, and has served as a UN Special Envoy for Climate Action.
4. The Newhouse Family
The Newhouse family controls Advance Publications Inc., one of the largest privately held media companies in the United States, with a portfolio spanning Condé Nast, Reddit, and major newspaper chains. The family's estimated net worth is in the tens of billions, with the bulk of the wealth tied to media and digital properties. Advance Publications owns Condé Nast, which publishes titles such as Vogue, Vanity Fair, GQ, and The New Yorker, and holds a significant stake in Reddit, the sixth most visited website in the United States.