Sure, some kids don’t want to know about any profit and loss statements of the family business – but when you’re dealing in the hundreds of millions and billions, well, we suppose we’d rather be holidaying year-round and using the family private jet than sitting in a boardroom. Right? So whether they have the brains or not to run a multi-million (or billion) dollar company, the kids and partners of these mega-wealthy CEOs and corporations will get a nice wedge of his fortune. On our list, we count down the richest heirs and heiresses in America. Some names you’ll be familiar with, whilst others may be more of a surprise, deciding to stay out of the spotlight and on the money. Literally. Ha.
Kyra Sedgwick
Net Worth: $16 million Source: Robert Sedgwick Kyra Sedgwick just has one of those faces – you’ve seen her, you know her face, but you may not know her name! Apologies to the fans! But we’re just sayin’ okay. The Golden Globe award winner sure has been in a fair few TV shows and films, but we have a feeling you didn’t know she was born into money. She’s the daughter of an extremely successful venture capitalist, Henry Dwight Sedgwick V. Quite the name too eh? Adding to that wealth, Sedgwick is actually married to Hollywood star Kevin Bacon! Yes, Mr. Footloose himself!
Sedgwick first made waves in Hollywood as a teenager, starting out her career at 16, on the show Another World. This debut was successful and led to her being cast in films including Phenomenon, Singles and Heart and Souls. She also co-starred alongside Tom Cruise in the Oscar-nominated Vietnam War film Born on the Fourth of July. But perhaps her most famous role is in the TNT series The Closer. This role garnered Sedgwick much critical acclaim, as well as a number of Golden Globe and SAG award nominations! Okay and before we forget, for you Brooklyn 99’ers, she’s of course Holt’s nemesis, the notorious, antagonistic Madeline Wuntch! If you’re not caught up on her and Holt’s ongoing feud, you are missing out. Get to it
Dakota Johnson
Net Worth: $14 million Source: Don Johnson Next up is the very girl-next-door but also very-not (ahem Anastasia Steele), Miss Dakota Johnson. The daughter of screen legends Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, it’s safe to say that acting is in the blood! Born in Austin, Texas, a young Dakota was quickly scouted (well that was bound to happen with star parents) as a model, before moving into film, following in her parents’ footsteps. Making her debut in 2010, you would’ve seen her in a few films!
Most notably, however, is her role as Anastasia Steele, the protagonist in the book-turned-film series Fifty Shades of Grey. The controversial role saw Johnson strip down for the part, owing to the nature of the lewd content. But hey, if you’re going to have a breakthrough role, it doesn’t get better than this! In fact, for her role as the salacious (well, she didn’t start out that way, but Mr. Grey certainly got that out of her!) Ms. Steele, she won the People’s Choice Award, as well as being nominated for the BAFTA Award for Rising Stars. Other film roles for Johnson include Suspiria, The Social Network, 21 Jump Street, Wounds and The Peanut Butter Falcon. With her dramatic prowess, Johnson has been fortunate for being cast in lots of dramas, as well as a few rom coms – but we’re sure we’ll see a lot more of Johnson in the coming years!
Scarlett Johansson
Net Worth: $140 million Source: Karsten Olaf Johansson and Melanie Sloan Now, this esteemed Hollywood actress possesses an undeniable talent. Starting from young, Scarlett Johansson has been charming audiences in her teens, and still is to this day – surely you’ve seen The Avengers and thus seen Johansson in her badass costume as Black Widow. Recently in an interview, Johansson has been pegged a real-life female superhero for her comeback to a pesky reporter.
The reporter asked quite rudely (if you ask us!), if she wore any underwear underneath her PVC suit, to which she replied “seriously?” You get ‘em girl! Having been in the industry for many years, she’s got a solid footing in cinema, but there’s definitely some kudos to her parents for that initial leg-up! One parent is a successful Danish architect – the other, a film producer! Hollywood is tough to crack, but surely with her parents’ background, there was a little help! Some of Johansson’s best films include Lost in Translation, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Under the Skin, The Other Boleyn Girl and of course, her roles in the Marvel Universe as Black Widow.
Kate Hudson
Net Worth: $80 million Source: Goldie Hawn No need for an introduction for this Hollywood babe! Kate Hudson, the Oscar-nominated actress, and daughter of legend Goldie Hawn are well, set to inherit a nice little sum from mother dearest. But hey, we’re not counting too closely here – with a stepfather in Kurt Russell, and her own fortune amassed over the years, we’re really not worried about her financials.
Hudson first started acting at the tender age of eleven, appearing on stage in fact! From the Santa Monica Playhouse, well, the world was her oyster and went on over to film work in the 1998 film Desert Blue. Fast forward a little while and we come to her breakthrough role, Almost Famous. It was her role as the flirtatious band groupie Penny Lane that won her a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination! We just love her in How To Lose a Guy In Ten Days opposite Matthew McConaughey though! She’s also appeared in Fool’s Gold, My Best Friend’s Girl and Bride Wars, among others. To keep the income streaming in, Hudson also founded her own fashion activewear label, Fabletics.
Olivia Wilde
Net Worth: $20 million Source: Andrew Cockburn Not that we’re focusing on looks here, but it’s hard to go past this gorgeous blue-eyed brunette. Olivia Wilde is not only a stunning actress, but she’s also set to inherit quite a little bit of cash! Just recently, in fact, she produced the film Booksmart which is out in cinemas now! Her first film ever, the NYC-born Wilde has discovered quite a talent.
An attendee of the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, the actress first got her acting start in television. Starring opposite House himself, she debuted on the hit series House, playing Dr. Hadley, or as you may remember her “Thirteen.” Following on from her breakout role, she was snatched up for the silver screen, with roles in films such as Conversations with Other Women, Tron: Legacy, Butter, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, The Lazarus Effect, Rush and more. With regards to inheriting $$$, she’s the daughter of two journalists, and as such, many have noted that she has a “strong journalistic streak” and is “really critical and analytical.” Her paternal Scottish ancestors were of the upper class, and perhaps money has trickled down from there! But it doesn’t seem that Wilde needs it, now with her partner Jason Sudeikis and with a producing talent very clear, she won’t need any family money!
Chloe Green
Net Worth: $4.9 billion Source: TopShop Imagine not having to pay for clothes. Well, that’s not a dream, it’s a reality for Chloe Green. The daughter of Sir Phillip Green, the CEO of fashion company TopShop, Green must have an amazing wardrobe! But let’s be real – she won’t be wasting her time on faux-leather and polyester: she’s going to be head to toe in the real stuff and in Balenciaga or Gucci or Chanel or whatever. Duh. Most recently, Green has been in and out of the news for her relationship with a former felon, Jeremy Meeks. Facebook (basically all of the social media) went wild when images emerged of the so-called “hot” felon, with his tan skin and blue eyes. Police posted his mugshot after his arrest in 2014 during a gang sweep and well, he went viral. It’s one thing to go viral for your looks, and another to be a felon and then end up dating a billionaire. Same. So apart from her uh… questionable choice in boyfriends, Green is famous for appearing on the reality show Made in Chelsea.
Her father, Phillip is also the head of Arcadia Group, which owns TopShop alongside other companies and brands. Due to her father’s wealth, she’s able to lead an exorbitant lifestyle, which she flashes openly on social media. Like you know, sunbathing in designer swimwear on her enormous yacht, Lionchase. But now that the “likes” have disappeared from Instagram, we wonder what’s going to happen now?!
Jake Gyllenhaal
Net Worth: $65 million Source: Stephen Gyllenhaal Who would’ve thought movie star Jake Gyllenhaal wasn’t only talented but has a massive inheritance?! The Hollywood actor is in fact the son of Stephen Gyllenhaal, a well-known film director in the industry! Of course, you would know Jake’s sibling is also an esteemed actor, Maggie Gyllenhaal. It seems that the acting/producing/writing talent is in the genes – his mother Naomi Foner is actually a screenwriter! Naturally Gyllenhaal, with his background and parents well established in the industry, traipsed down the acting path. Did you know his first film was in the 1991 City Slickers?
Despite roles as a child, he went on to attend Columbia University and get his degree. Later on, he would receive acclaim in October Sky, playing Homer Hickam. Further praise came to him for his role as Donnie Darko in the film of the same name! (You might recognise his sister, Maggie, also appeared in the film!)
Ariana Rockefeller
Net Worth: $2.8 billion Source: Standard Oil The Rockefellers. Yeah, you know the Rockefeller centre? That pretty, and pretty famous ice-skating rink – you know, the one with the huge Christmas tree? Ringing bells NYC’ers? Well yeah, Ariana is a part of that family. An heiress to the prominent Rockefeller dynasty, the family found its great fortune by way of oil. Standard Oil. The Rockefeller family’s legacy dates back to the early nineteenth-century, when the family patriarch founded the oil refinement company and back then he made billions! The family grew from strength to strength, investing in oil and property, and maintaining (if not growing) the family fortune. But regardless of their nigh unspeakable wealth, the family is very charitable. With all that money, really, you wouldn’t know what to do with it all!
A Columbia University graduate, Ariana initially secured an internship at the United Nations. However it seemed that she had another passion which called to her – fashion! The eponymous label has been successful, with a fair few opera coats, tweed jackets and dresses with more conservative elements – inspired by her preppy lifestyle! Her first collection was inspired by a Picasso painting which…hung in her childhood home. Yeah. She also had a stint with Reed Krakoff, designing a handbag line! So it seems that fashion has paid off for Rockefeller! But this Rockefeller isn’t only stylish – she’s a philanthropist, and a major supporter of the Human Society. She chaired the NYBG Winter Ball and regularly attends charity galas. She lives in an apartment (we’re guessing stunning) on the Upper East Side with her entrepreneur husband, Matthew Bucklin. Oh and did we mention, she’s an avid equestrienne! Makes sense – an expensive hobby, reserved for the rich and famous!
Paris Hilton
Net Worth: $300 million Source: Hilton Hotels Corporation Nowadays, people talk of Paris Hilton as the woman who brought us Kim Kardashian. We remember well those years that little Kim was a fashion accessory to the Hilton heiress, but oh how the tables have turned! Regardless of her current standing now, she is one of America’s best-known celebrities. Born in the Big Apple, Hilton is also the heiress to the Hilton Hotel fortune. Now that’s a pot of honey big enough for millions of people to dip into and prosper from! Regardless of what she decides to do, it definitely is a nice head start for any business venture, no?
But Hilton is more than just an heiress – she invested in her own brand: herself, and well, at the time, she was the talk of the town! Off the back of her socialite, fashionista status, Hilton has started a number of perfume lines. Her own retail businesses have brought in a whopping $3 billion US, earning her an income of $10 million US a year! Not to mention her stint with the DJ business – in 2014, she earned $2.7 million US for four nights’ work – that’s $347,000 US an hour, whilst she had a two-month residency on the Spanish island Ibiza. And to add another business venture for Hilton is her Paris Hilton Beach Club Resort, positioned in the Philippines. The holiday destination alone has brought in millions a year turnover! Oh and the small fact of being a celebrity – an appearance alone can earn the socialite a sweet $300K US. Not bad for a few hours eh?
Balthazar Getty
Net Worth: $200 million Source: Getty Oil Oil and America. Two words that when associated with one another, generally means big bucks. Next up on our list is a man with a direct link to the Getty Oil fortune. Born Paul Getty, the now-known-as Balthazar is a musician and producer. He’s a part of a rap duo called The Wow, as well as being part of the band Ringside. As a kid too, he dabbled in his creative side, appearing in Lord of the Flies as Ralph in 1990. You might remember the film, which starred a 15-year-old Getty, and in fact developed cult status, as well as grossing over $14 million! One of our favorite roles of his though has to be in the neo-noir film by David Lynch called Lost Highway. If you haven’t seen it, we recommend you check it out!
Aside from his film career, Getty has also had quite a few TV series’ to add to his credentials, including appearing as Richard Montana in the hit series Charmed, as Thomas Grace on the action drama Alias and as Tommy Walker on drama Brothers & Sisters. What with the pile of money he’s sitting on, it’s nice to hear that Getty is part of The Lunchbox Fund, which provides food to children in need living in Africa. Ah, philanthropy!
Amanda Hearst
Net Worth: $100 million Source: Hearst Corporation Being born into the family of a media mogul, you’re bound to be entitled to a share of the fortune. But it seems that the New York-born socialite has found another calling, aside from being rich. Yeah – she’s attractive, so naturally, went into modeling! The now 35-year-old is a former IMG model (despite only standing at 5 foot 3 inches!), appearing on assorted covers for Town & Country, International Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan as well as being featured in Vanity Fair.
Aside from her modeling and publishing work, she is involved in her charity, Friends of Finn, which focuses on preventing and shutting down puppy mills which are known for their cruelty to dogs. If the reception of John Wick is anything to go by (the premise of the film is a guy goes and kills pretty much every assassin for killing his dog), then hey, this is bound to be a popular charity! For a bit of family background, if you don’t know the Hearst family, William Randolph Hearst was one of the biggest in the business and is now is worth a couple billion. Once it’s all been divided among relatives, that leaves Amanda with around $100 million. Not bad at all.
Brooke Shields
Net Worth: $25 million Source: Frank Shields Now that is one unforgettable pair of brows. So much so that this gorgeous brunette was spotted from young. Brooke Shields is best known for her acting career, but also for her good looks! The former child and teen model segued nicely into the film industry and made herself living out of it! Born in Manhattan, the former Princeton University attendee made her debut in the film and fashion industries from as early as 1966! As a teen growing up, she starred in the film Pretty Baby which got her noticed, and even received critical acclaim!
Following the success of the film, Shields was set to make waves again, in not one, but two films which achieved cult status later on! Even today, stills from The Blue Lagoon are seen floating around on Instagram – the bronzed, leggy, blue-eyed brunette is a teen vision! Following that, Endless Love, another 80s classic which garnered a crazy following in later years! The model and actress wasn’t quite done with making headlines, marrying superstar tennis champ Andre Agassi. Sadly, however, things didn’t last more than 2 sets, with the pair divorcing just two years after tying the knot. Following her marriage to Agassi, she met a man with whom she would have two children – Chris Hency. The pair have been married for almost twenty years! As for her fortune, well, it just so happens that this shield is heir to Revlon executive Frank Shields’ fortune. Yep. Wow!
Billie Lourd
Net Worth: $25 million Source: Carrie Fisher Okay, any Star Wars fans here? Well, first of all we want to say – rest easy Carrie Fisher. The woman who epitomised hot girls from space (ahem who can forget that gold two-piece?) and no doubt had her poster plastered over many bedroom walls, was and always will be a legend. She passed just a few years ago, however left behind a beautiful daughter, Billie. Her father, Bryan Lourd, is also successful in his own right – he’s actually one of the biggest talent agents in Hollywood! Due to her birthright, Lourd is heiress to Carrie’s fortune and estate. Sadly however, she doesn’t have her mother – which surely palls in comparison to having Carrie around. But we’re sure that she’s looking down on her little girl!
Did we mention that she’s also got a famous grandmother? Well, Fisher’s mother is actually Debbie Reynolds – a Hollywood legend! Billie studied at NYU, however, home to her is still in Beverly Hills. She’s followed right in her mother’s footsteps too, appearing in TV series such as Scream Queens and American Horror Story. She even had a role in the recent Star Wars films, as Lieutenant Connix, sharing the camera with her mother!
Dylan Lauren
Net Worth: $4 billion Source: Ralph Lauren Well, there’s no wasting time on this one – it’s pretty straight forward. You know that little blue logo of a polo player on a horse? Yeah, this is the daughter, and heiress to that fortune. Dylan Lauren might be an heiress, but we have to give credit where it’s due – she’s also an entrepreneur in her own right. The Manhattan-born Lauren is daughter to the founder of the major fashion brand, Ralph Lauren. It seems that entrepreneurship runs in the family, with Dylan’s older siblings finding success in business and even the film industry!
As for Dylan’s entrepreneurial pursuits, she owns Dylan’s Candy Bar – yep, the world’s largest candy store. Funnily enough, Dylan Lauren went into the venture after watching the classic film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Almost twenty years later, Dylan’s Candy Bar is still going strong, and is still marveled at by millions of kids (and big kids!) every year! With her fashionable father, it’s no surprise Lauren was nominated as one of the “Most Stylish New Yorkers” in 2007 by the magazine US Weekly. It certainly caught her husband Paul’s eye – and the pair now even have twin boys, Cooper and Kingsley!
Nicky Hilton
Net Worth: $20 million Source: Hilton Hotels We’ve already had one Hilton on our list, but it’s time for us to also mention her sister, Nicky! The younger sibling to Paris, Nicky Hilton is also heiress to the Hilton Hotels fortune. But she’s not just an heiress – much like her sister she has made a name for herself in the business world. She’s actually a fashion designer! The New-York born Hilton was schooled at Convent of the Sacred Heart, enjoyed her sister’s parties (we’re sure she did!) and hanging out with her high-flying, high profile friends! It seems that she went from school and then “married well” as they say – she is actually married to James Rothschild, who’s an heir to the Rothschild fortune. Money meets money, and makes more money, right?
Nicky’s got a pretty face too and has worked as a model. But despite her looks, it’s actually her fashion business that took off and has proved super successful! She’s created a range of handbags for her brand, Nicholai, as well as for other brands, including eLuxe and Samantha Thavasa. No doubt her own fortune would’ve helped her appear during NY’s Fashion Week! It seems that handbag designing has proved lucrative for the younger Hilton, designing collections for baggage company Tolani. After designing a “Mommy and Me” capsule, which saw success, she designed again for 2017 and 2019 seasons. More of her designs are expected to hit stores for purchase next year, in 2020!
Chevy Chase
Net Worth: $50 million Source: The Crane Company Sure, he’s got a famous face and a bit of a reputation from his National Lampoon’s franchise, but Chevy Chase is more than just an American funny man! The Manhattan-born Chevy Chase was actually known by another name – Cornelius Crane. Yup. The comedian, writer, and actor was born to a Manhattan book editor and magazine writer, Edward Tinsley Chase, and a concert pianist mother. His mother, in fact, was the heir to The Crane Company – now the story is, she was adopted by Cornelius Vanderbilt! Yep, THE Vanderbilts.
Chevy’s name, “Chevy” is actually a nickname, given to him by his grandmother! Apparently she got it from a medieval English folk song, titled “The Ballad of Chevy Chase.” We probably don’t need to list all his achievements on the screen, but of course, for any young ones, he’s best known for his appearances on Saturday Night Live, as well as his many comedic roles in Caddyshack and Fletch.
Lydia Hearst-Shaw
Net Worth: $28 billion Source: William Randolph Hearst Okay, yes, you read right, that’s $28 BILLION. This next heiress has enough money to well, basically end hunger. Lydia Hearst Shaw is however, many things apart from very rich – she’s a blogger, model and has even been on the screen a handful of times. She is of course, linked to the publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst. But it is her mother whom you may know a little more about. Patty Hearst was Lydia’s mum, and she was of course infamously and tragically kidnapped by a left-wing American terrorist group, the Symbionese Liberation Army. The ordeal she went through whilst under the group’s influence was nothing short of shocking – but perhaps more shocking was the fact she was sentenced to 35 years prison! This sentence, however, was commuted by President Carter, and was later pardoned by President Bill Clinton.
Anywho, back to Lydia. Born in Connecticut, the teen attended Sacred Heart University, however went on to pursue modelling. She’s since modelled on the runway for Fendi, Chanel, Nicole Miller and Jeremy Scott, as well as appeared in advertising campaigns for Prada, Alexander McQueen, Louis Vuitton, DKNY and NARS Cosmetics. Not bad at all. Fast forward and she’s since gotten married, to comedian and podcaster Chris Hardwick, but we’ve got some trivia for you. Did you know that she dated Jeff Goldblum? The pair, whom at the time had a 32-year age difference, dated for almost a year before splitting. Look, like, love is love and all, but we’re not sure how we’d feel dating someone who was 32 when you were BORN. Nappies versus fully grown adult male. Yeah, no thanks. But hey, it lasted for a year, so…
Ally Hilfiger
Net Worth: $400 million Source: Tommy Hilfiger Ah the unmistakable little Tommy logo. Those three little stripes, red white and blue. God bless… America? Regardless, Tommy Hilfiger is an undisputed American classic. Collabs with supermodels like Gigi Hadid and the like are just helping the brand along – and you have to admit, it’s one of the most visible brands in the world. Anywho, next up is Ally Hilfiger, daughter of the man who started up Tommy Hilfiger... Tommy, Hilfiger. Which of course, makes her heir to the massive fortune. Sure, there are people on this list who are substantially wealthier, but $400 million US? That’s a lot of cash people!
The New York born socialite might be in line to inherit the mega bucks, but she hasn’t had it easy. Her childhood and even her adult years, have been tainted by Lyme disease. Sure, financially she was in the best possible position to try every known remedy, but regardless, the long-misunderstood condition impacted her life in a severe way. She served on the board of Project Lyme, which focuses on prevention and early detection, and has also written a book, cheekily titled Bite Me, in which she shares her personal journey to getting healthier and finding happiness. Fast forward and Ally’s not only an author, but a television producer. Fun fact too: she appeared way back on the MTV show Rich Girls, where she infamously had a breakdown while trying to make a burrito. Tbh, feels.
Carly Simon
Net Worth: $65 million Source: Richard L. Simon Carly Elisabeth Simon is a singer-songwriter and a published children’s book author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with her music records, and has even charted a number of times in the U.S. Her inheritance however, comes by way of her father, Richard Simon, who was the co-founder of the book company Simon & Schuster. A bit of background on daddy-o – he was actually a classical pianist, and we think that may just be what inspired Carly to take up music and pursue it!
The leggy Carly (she’s 179cm!) actually started her career as part of a duet, The Simon Sisters, but then decided to break from her sister Lucy and departed from their folky duo. Her pursuit of a solo career did prove successful, and we think Lucy was ok with it too! Her success of course came to her early, with her debut album, Carly Simon earning her a Grammy. Now that’s quite something! Fun fact: she was married to the great James Taylor for a brief period!
Patty Hearst
Net Worth: $28 billion Source: William Randolph Hearst We’ve already spoken about her daughter, Lydia, but now it’s time for us to introduce Patty Hearst, grand-daughter of the publishing and media magnate, William Randolph Hearst. Just as an FYI if you ever get the chance to visit the Hearst Estate on the way to San Francisco, we highly recommend it! It’s pretty amazing. How the other half lives, amirite? Anyways, back to Patty Hearst.
Born in San Fran and an alumnus of the University of California, Hearst went on to become an author and an actress. Her written work is definitely worth the time – Every Secret Thing in particular. The book was written following her ordeal with the Symbionese Liberation Army on the 4th of February 1974. The memoir was a best-seller on The New York Times List and is a captivating read. She’s also featured on numerous TV shows and films, though many times this was of course, as herself in shows about her family’s extensive lineage and wealth. She’s got a stake in a $28 billion empire, so, yeah. We’re just going to keep working at our $25/hr job over here…
Victoria Mars
Net Worth: $6.6 billion Source: Mars, Inc. So, if you’ve ever bought a candy bar in the world somewhere, there’s a high chance it was made by Mars. The family’s net worth is estimated at a staggering $78 billion. Did you know it had roughly 100,000 employees as of 2017? Yeah, huge. Victoria Mars is part of the fourth-generation of the legendary candy makers (and happiness givers)! She’s a smart cookie too, attending Yale, before then gaining her MBA from The Wharton School. She has an 8% stake in Mars, Inc., and was at on time the chair of the board of directors of the company.
The company, which has attracted investors of the likes of Warren Buffett, rakes in billions per year – just in 2017 the company reported bringing in $35 billion in revenue. Humans sure love candy. Throwing it back to her first job, Victoria was a brand manager for Milky Way in France. A far cry from where she is now, but that would’ve been a nice place to get some work experience! But Mars, despite her ties to the family, worked her way up, and learnt the company inside and out. But she’s not all business – she launched an organisation called Livelihood Funds, which helps promote sustainable resources in Africa for agribusiness. Nice to see the wealthy giving back!
Tinsley Mortimer
Net Worth: $28 million Source: George Riley Mercer This Real Housewife is more than just a reality star – she’s famous for being the heiress daughter of George Mercer, a ridiculously wealthy real estate developer and investor. Her mother, Dale was an interior designer, who also had a lot of success! A further income stream for the Mercer family was from her grandfather, George, who founded the Mercer Rug Company back in 1936. The socialite and TV personality was born in Richmond Virginia, and was schooled at Lawrenceville School, before earning a BA in art history from the very prestigious Columbia University. She later followed in her mother’s footsteps and obtained a Master’s in decorative arts from the Cooper Hewitt design museum.
Tinsley’s done a few things over the course of her career, working at Vogue in the early days, and then working at Samantha Thavasa. She has her own clothing line, “Riccime” by Tinsley Mortimer which was exclusively sold in Japan! But that’s not all for Mortimer – did you know she was an ambassador for Christian Dior, which led to the development of a lip gloss named especially for her? It’s called “Tinsley Pink” if you were wondering! Fast forward and Mortimer was featured in Vogue, WWD, Harper’s Bazaar and Marie Claire, before making a cameo appearance on the hit show Gossip Girl! Naturally she was well, a natural on camera, which led to her own TV show High Society – however when the show was canned, so was Mortimer, as her reputation was teetering on the brink of decline! But The Real Housewives of New York City came to the rescue, and scooped up the hot mess from the previous years. Check out the catty drama if you’re ever bored and want to feel good about yourself. Hehe.
Teresa Heinz Kerry
Net Worth: $750 million Source: Heinz Ketchup Now Teresa Heinz Kerry has quite the story. Born in the colony of Portuguese Mozambique, her father was a Portuguese oncologist and her mother a Portuguese and British national. After earning a BA in Romance Languages and Literature from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, she completed further studies in Geneva before moving to the U.S. to be an interpreter at the United Nations. In 1966, just three years after leaving Switzerland, Teresa married future U.S. Senator John Heinz, an heir to the H.J. Heinz Company. With Heinz, Teresa had three boys, however a sad turn of events was going to tear the family apart. In 1991, Senator Heinz died in a plane crash. However Teresa Heinz had met someone just a year earlier whom she would begin dating in 1993. Sure, some would say it was too soon, but hey, you can’t turn love away.. right?
Anywho, the lucky man was none other than Senator John Kerry, and the pair were married a short while later, tying the knot in 1995. Heinz Kerry, upon her ex-husband’s death, was set to inherit a fortune, just shy of $800 MILLION. The accomplished polyglot (she speaks Portuguese, English, Spanish, French and Italian) is also a humanitarian, and chairs Heinz’s charities, as wall as founding her own charity, Second Nature, which helps bring sustainability and environmental consciousness to college campuses. She also founded the awards program The Heinz Awards, which celebrates contributions to the environment and ecology. It seems that Heinz Kerry has had quite the wild ride, and now spends her time with her husband John and their grandchildren.
Clare Bronfman
Net Worth: $500 million Source: Seagram’s The heiress to the Seagram Liquor fortune, next up is former equestrian Clare Bronfman. The now 40-year-old Bronfman is the youngest daughter of billionaire philanthropist Edgar Bronfman Sr. But whilst things seem pretty a-okay, she has had her time in hot water too – she is notable for her involvement in NXIVM, a controversial “personal development” company which has been described as (for lack of a better word) a cult!
The New York-born Bronfman began her equestrian career at 17 and discovered a great talent: three years later she was qualifying and competing at the highest level! After winning a number of domestic and international competitions (as well as some prize money!). Despite her successes, including winning the equestrian Grand Prix twice, there was something else which caught her eye, and led her down a more uh… questionable path. Bronfman and her sister Sara came under scrutiny for their participation in the NXIVM Group, which purportedly helped people to achieve “personal success.” The mysterious group has been the object of a federal investigation, with Bronfman recently pleading guilty to charges of illicit activity. Wouldn’t you think – gee, if I had all that money why would I go into a multi-level marketing scam? Like come on, seriously!
Alexander Soros
Net Worth: $20 billion Source: George Soros (Father) The son of billionaire philanthropist and business George Soros, next up is Alexander Soros. His father George, born in Hungary, he emigrated to the United Kingdom and attended the London School of Economics. He began his first hedge fund, Double Eagle, in 1969, which gave him the seed money to start Soros Fund Management. Double Eagle, which became Quantum Fund, was estimated to hold assets worth over $25 billion US. Amazing. With a father who’s known as “The Man Who Broke the Bank of England” (because his short sale turned him a profit of $1 billion during the infamous 1992 Black Wednesday UK currency crisis), Alexander sure has a lot to live up to… or not.
The NYU and Berkeley alumnus earned a Ph.D. in history, and then he was sat on the board of the Open Society Foundation, his father’s philanthropic agency. Did you know that as of Feb 2018, George Soros was worth $8 billion, having donated over $32 billion to this agency? Aside from being deputy chair, the playboy son of Soros is actually a successful writer, having bene published in Politico, The Guardian, The Forward and many othrs. Like his father, Soros has the giving gene, contributing to the Jewish Funds for Justice, which is an American charity helping Jewish causes. He also is on the board of Global Witness, which campaigns against human rights abuses by multinational companies in poor countries. His work with environmental activists has seen a few trips to the Amazon rainforest, but it seems in general, Soros is giving back to the world, what the world gave his family!
Cindy McCain
Net Worth: $200 million Source: Hensley & Co. The Phoenix, Arizona-born Cindy McCain is famous for more than having been married to the U.S Senator and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain. A businesswoman, philanthropist and humanitarian in her own right, she is in fact the daughter of wealthy beer distributor Jim Hensley! So yep, she’s a direct heiress to the Hensley & Co. fortune. She studied at the University of Southern California, and soon after married John McCain. After they moved to Arizona, John McCain was elected to the U.S Congress – and re-elected five more times!
Following her father’s death in 2000, she inherited the controlling stake, becoming the chair of Hensley & Co. With her inheritance behind her, McCain is an active philanthropist and serves on the boards of Operation Smile, Eastern Congo Initiative, CARE and HALO Trust. More recently, McCain was vocal in the fight against human trafficking. Despite negative scrutiny during her husband’s presidential campaigns, McCain kept it cool, calm and classy. Tough when the public eye falls on you and all that you do. Since her husband’s passing last year, she focuses on philanthropy and spending time with her children.
Susan Alice Buffett
Net Worth: $3 billion Source: Warren Buffett Warren Buffett has to be the biggest name in investment - and the fact he’s worth over $80 billion US really speaks about him and his career. A business magnate, investor, speaker and philanthropist, the now 88-year-old still serves as the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway. He’s considered one of the most successful investors in the world and is the third-wealthiest on the planet! He famously founded The Giving Pledge with Bill Gates, whereby billionaires pledge to give away at least half of their fortunes! Now that’s a worthy cause! His daughter, Susan Alice Buffett clearly got a tip off from her dad, and sure, he was looking out for her, by giving her shares – as such, she’s making her wealth through her ownership of shares in the famous investing firm.
A philanthropist herself, she operates the Sherwood Foundation, which provides grants that help children from lower-income households. The grants go to education, social justice and human services, with a focus on improving the wellbeing and standards of living of all. A board member of Girls, Inc. and the Buffett Foundation, as well as the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, she has a finger on the pulse of the youth and the disadvantaged. Some of this is exampled through her assistance in combating the AIDS crisis internationally and particularly improving the standards of living for the disadvantaged in Africa. You go, girl!
Whitney Kroenke Burditt
Net Worth: $2.6 billion Source: Sam Walton (Walmart) When you’re the granddaughter of a man who was, at one point, the richest man in America, there’s bound to be a heck of a lot of inheritance down the line for you! Such us the case for Whitney Kroenke Burditt, whose grandfather was a Walmart retail tycoon, James Walton.
As an heiress of the Walmart fortune, the Los Angeles-born Kroenke Burditt surely knew she wouldn’t have a problem when it came to dollars in the bank account! The daughter of Ann Walton and Stan Kroenke, Whitney went into film production, and now resides in Hollywood. She works, acts, dances and choreographer for several play productions, including “I Sing” and “Romeo and Juliet,” which was produced in London. As far as her other pursuits go, Whitney is a generous soul, founding the Playing for Change charity, which helps build schools for music and the arts across the world, particularly in low-income and poverty-stricken locations. We’re all for it!
Anne Hearst
Net Worth: $28 billion Source: William Randolph Hearst Socialite and philanthropist Anne Hearst is a direct heiress to the Hearst fortune. Her grandfather, William Hearst, was the founder of the media conglomerate Hearst Corporation. In the late 19th century, Hearst was known for publishing the largest chain of American newspapers, as well as for the sensational brand of “yellow journalism” (using shocking headlines to catch people’s attention rather than using hard facts!).
As the daughter of William’s son, Hearst was in line to inherit the fortune which Hearst Corporation has grown over the years. These days, the corporation owns not only newspapers and magazines but television stations and channels and 50% of the A&E Networks cable network group and 20% of ESPN, which are in partnership with The Walt Disney Company. So yeah, a lot. You might remember from earlier we spoke of a Hearst who was kidnapped and taken into a “cult” – so Anne is her sister! That darn Symbionese Liberation Army eh? Anne, unlike her sister, however, went down a somewhat straighter path, and is currently the director of The Princess Grace Foundation. She is on the board for Hearst Castle Preservation, which helps preserve historical landmarks, and she helped found the Rita Hayworth Gala’s steering committee to plan for the event. Hearst’s private life has been somewhat more colorful, marrying three times. Her most recent husband, Jay McInerney, is a novelist and screenwriter, and he’s been married a fair few times as well – four times to be exact!
Gwendolyn Meyer
Net Worth: $4.4 billion Source: Cargill The American heiress and equestrian is the great-great-granddaughter of William W. Cargill, the founder of Cargill, which provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products to the world. A multinational corporation, the company’s core business focuses on agriculture and agribusiness. For example, it would provide seed and livestock feed for companies. But aside from its agricultural pursuits, it has a diversified business portfolio, with a hand in the real estate market, as well as in oil, gas, chocolate (duh, important commodity!) and meatpacking. It is the largest privately held corporation in the United States in terms of revenue, is 90% owned by the Cargill family. Just last year, it had an annual turnover of $114.7 billion US. Yeah, big numbers.
Back to our showjumper Gwendolyn, the heiress was born in 1962, and inherited a 7% stake in Cargill. A dedicated equestrian, Meyer over the course of her life has won several prizes, including winning the Prix Credit Suisse at the Geneva International Horse Show. These days, the heiress spends her time on her farm in Rancho Santa Fe, California, training horses that compete in show jumping. Imagine being wealthy enough to just live for your passion, and not worry about the financials!
Peter Brant II
Net Worth: $1 billion Source: White Birch Paper The NYC-born, Greenwich resident (of course, duh), is one of the city’s hottest socialites and heirs. A model and fashion designer, the 25-year-old is the son of businessman and art collector Peter M. Brant and supermodel Stephanie Seymour. He and his brother Harry have been labeled by The New York Times as the “Princes of New York.” Quite the title, eh? We’re not really sold, but we did hear that in 2015 he collaborated with Mac Cosmetics, launching a unisex cosmetics line aimed at the Gender fluid youth movement. We’re all about inclusivity, so we can back him on that one!
His attitude towards his family’s wealth may be somewhat arrogant and unsettling to some (shucks sorry, were we projecting our opinion?), but he did tell Harper’s Bazaar that “We had to do a report about our parents: where they were born, what they did, and all that. Everyone else had to do theirs as homework, but I finished mine before class ended using Wikipedia.” We get it, hotshot. But we aren’t the only ones who are a little irked by his behaviour, Vanity Fair described him as “enfant terrible.” Hilarious. Just a couple of years ago, Peter Brant Jr. was arrested at JFK International Airport after throwing a drunken fit. Brant’s own lawyer laid into him, calling his client “an idiot.” ‘nuff said.
Alexa Dell
Net Worth: $27 billion Source: Dell Technologies The Independent’s headline at the end of 2017 reads “the fabulous life of Alexa Dell, the 24-year-old billionaire heiress who grew up in ‘the castle’, dated Tinder’s CEO, and just got engaged with a million-dollar ring.” That about sums it up, so can we call it a day and grab that afternoon drink? The daughter of Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, who has a net worth of over $25 billion, is one lucky gal! In 2017 she was engaged at The Four Seasons in Kona, Hawaii (which her father conveniently owns), after being proposed to with a 12-carat diamond. Yah. 12-carats, in one single diamond.
A well-known socialite, she grew up in Austin, Texas, and her home was a mansion called “The Castle.” And it’s every bit “The Castle” with its 33,000-square-feet. Sheesh. After graduating from Columbia, the young Dell has gone on to be a brand and business development strategist. Wonder if she’ll take up the family business one day? Maybe! With her connections and interest in fashion and photography (if you check her IG @alexakdell, you’ll see what we mean, also you’ll be hating your life and wishing you had her Hermès-covered dream life), she interned at fashion houses and was dressed in head to toe Dior or Chanel, depending on how she was feeling! She’s since gotten married and has a bub, which is plastered all over Instagram!
Nancy Walton Laurie
Net Worth: $6.6 billion Source: Bud Walton (Walmart) Ah, Walmart. Gotta love it. But you know who loves it more? The heirs to the fortune, like our next guest, Nancy Walton Laurie. The daughter of Bud Walton and Audrey Walton, Nancy inherited billions. $6.6 billion, if you want a dollar figure. She married former NBA coach and player Bill Laurie, with whom she has a daughter, Paige. Geez, one kid for all those dollars. Lucky girl? Who said money buys you happiness anyway?! (*insert eye roll emoji*). Nancy is livin’ it up that’s for sure, recently having purchased a $40 million mansion in the exclusive suburb of Bel-Air. Oh and she’s got a $135 million superyacht. No biggie.
The youngest daughter of Walton, Nancy inherited half of her father’s stake, whilst her sister Ann Kroenke inherited the other half. Can you pls share that wealth with us – like $50,000 would be great. Bless you. Shucks sorry, we were daydreaming; the saliva was just about to – okay TMI. An attendee of the University of Memphis, it was there that she met her husband! She’s also a philanthropist (with that dollar amount you’d hope so!), and donated $25 million to build a new Mizzou (University of Missouri) sports arena, even though her daughter, Paige, went to USC.
James Murdoch
Net Worth: $500 million Source: Rupert Murdoch Born in Wimbledon, London, the English businessman is the fourth of media mogul Rupert Murdoch’s six children. A graduate of the Horace Mann School and then Harvard (well, he didn’t technically graduate from Harvard as he dropped out and started a record label instead!), he had a business mind, and soon was hired by Sky Television in Hong Kong, heading the company as its CEO. Down the track, Murdoch took over the development of News Corporation’s media platforms, but was caught up in a previous phone hacking scandal whilst he was the chairman of British Sky Broadcasting. News of the World quickly became the news of the world! At one point too, Murdoch was the chairman of 21st Century Fox, with control over media channels which function globally!
Most recently Disney’s $71.3 billion takeovers of the majority of 21st Century Fox has left Murdoch now unemployed. But it seems that Murdoch is looking beyond the family business. In March 2019, Murdoch founded Lupa Systems (Lupa is Latin for female wolf – and its origins go back to the idea that the company wants to nurture early-stage companies and invest from the beginning), but observers are keeping a watchful eye on the young Murdoch as to what move he makes next. According to Enders Analysis founder Claire Enders, “the focus in his life is building things.” So currently he’s at $500 million – we’ll just have to see if he can grow his wealth to lapse his father’s net worth of almost $20 billion!
Ann Kroenke
Net Worth: $7.6 billion Source: Walmart, Inc. So we just heard about her younger sister, Nancy, but now it’s time to hear a little about older sister Ann Kroenke. The other half of the Walmart fortune went to Ann, who now has a net worth over $7 billion. A registered nurse, Kroenke isn’t actually involved with Walmart as a board member or an executive; instead, she has the freedom to pursue whatever she wants but still receive dividends! Together with her husband Stan Kroenke, who is worth even more than his wife, the pair own Arsenal Football Club in the UK, as well as the LA Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, and Colorado Rapids! Fun fact: “Silent Stan” Kroenke is worth a cool $8.8 billion. That’s independent of Ann. Crazy money!
The pair married in 1974 and have two children together, Josh and Whitney. Whilst we’re not totally sure what Ann gets up to apart from being a philanthropist and exploring the world in her superyacht, we do know that the coffers are overflowing for the Walton-Kroenkes, that’s for sure.
Lynsi Synder
Net Worth: $3 billion Source: In-N-Out Burger So it seems the CEO of In-N-Out Burger clearly doesn’t eat its burgers, because she looks fit as a fiddle for a 37-year-old mother of four children! Lynsi Lavelle Snyder-Ellingson is a billionaire businesswoman and heiress of the famed burger chain. As the only child of Lynda and H. Guy Snyder and the only grandchild of Harry and Esther Snyder, the entire wealth falls to Lynsi! According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, in 2012, Snyder was America’s youngest female billionaire. Until Instagram and Kylie Jenner came along and the makeup giant knocked her off the top spot!
On her thirty-fifth birthday, Lynsi became the full owner of the business and became president after Mark Taylor, her brother-in-law. For a long time, Snyder has been called reclusive – hey, if she wants to decline interviews, she’s more than entitled to doing so! But there’s a reason for her hesitation – after opening up in a 2014 interview with Orange Coast, Snyder said she was the target of multiple kidnapping attempts. For hers and her family’s safety, Snyder has kept out of the public eye. The paps can’t argue with that! Fun fact: two of her husbands have been In-N-Out employees. Who says you can’t date the boss eh?
Gloria Vanderbilt
Net Worth: $200 million Source: Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt Gloria Vanderbilt, what an icon. Sadly, this legend passed away just last month – and social media made sure everyone knew. Living to a grand age of 95, the fashion trailblazer and artist “was an extraordinary woman, who loved life, and lived it on her own terms," her son Anderson Cooper said in a statement. "She was a painter, a writer and designer but also a remarkable mother, wife, and friend. She was 95 years old, but ask anyone close to her, and they'd tell you: She was the youngest person they knew -- the coolest and most modern."The former fashion designer, socialite, author and actress was born in Manhattan in 1924. Being born into a family with so much money and prestige involved surely wasn’t easy, and this came to light in a huge public custody battle over the young Gloria, between her mother Gloria and her aunt, Gertrude. Both her aunt and mother wanted control of her trust fund, and was labelled by the New York press as “the trial of the century.”
In a twist which rocked the nation, scandalous evidence showed that Gloria was an unfit parent, with Gertrude winning custody. Despite fighting for her custody, it came out later that Gloria’s nanny, Dodo, was more of a mother figure to the young Vanderbilt. She began modeling at 15, photographed for Harper’s Bazaar and then she appeared in Vogue and Vanity Fair, posing for greats like Richard Avedon. At 21 she took control of her trust fund which was worth a whopping $4.3 million US (back in the 40s that was a huge amount of money!). Calculators estimate the wealth was worth almost $60 million in the current day! Gloria went on to become a fashion designer and actress, and of course, leaves behind her son, Anderson Cooper.
Douglas Durst
Net Worth: $600 million Source: Seymour Durst The 74-year-old Douglas Durst is the heir to the Durst fortune, which was built from real estate. Born into a Jewish family in 1944, his father was real estate investor and developer Seymour Durst. Did you know Durst was the inventor of the National Debt Clock? Just reminding us all how much we all owe to the government. Gee, thanks – what a swell guy! In saying that, the story of the Durst family’s rise to fortune is a good one. Durst’s paternal grandfather, Joseph Durst was a penniless immigrant tailor from Austria Hungary. After moving to America, he invested and became a very successful real estate manager and developer, founding the Durst Organisation in 1915.
Years and years compounded the family’s wealth, and Douglas took over the “family business” in 1992 after his father Seymour retired. But whilst he’s mega-rich, he’s also respected for emphasising density and sustainability in his projects. He, in fact, presided over the development of the 48-story 4 Times Square, the 38-story Helena at 601 West 57th Street, the 57-story Epic on West 31st Street and in 2008, the 58-story Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park. So next time you’re in NYC and looking for something to do (gee you’d have to be super bored), check ‘em out!
Lisa Jobs
Net Worth: $18.8 billion Source: Apple, Inc. Apple. Without even thinking about it, you’re not even thinking about the fruit, you’re thinking about a logo of an apple with a bite taken out of it. You’re thinking about the latest iPhone, or you’re thinking about the shiny new Mac computer you can’t wait to get your hands on! Ah, marketing. Anywho, next up is the daughter of the man behind Apple, Steve Jobs. After passing away just a little while ago, the fortune has made its way to his daughter, Lisa Jobs. The Portland, Oregon native studied at Harvard and is the daughter of the former CEO and his first wife, Chrisann Brennan, whom was his high school sweetheart. During their rollercoaster five-year relationship, Brennan was pregnant. Jobs for a while claimed he was not the father, even after taking a paternity test, which showed he was indeed her father! Gee.. good with technology, not so good with handling kids.
Sure, he didn’t handle the whole “you have a daughter” situation ideally, but after the media caught wind of the story, well, they made a meal out of him. It’s reported that he lost his TIME Person of the Year spot because of his actions. This clearly spurred him into action, reconciling with his daughter and of course, leaving her a sizeable inheritance. We’re not sure she got the lot (over $18 billion), but she’s surely got a couple hundred million!
Katharine Rayner
Net Worth: $6.4 billion Source: Cox Enterprises Cox Enterprises, Inc., is a privately held global conglomerate, which holds a number of subsidiary companies – Cox Communications, Cox Media Group and Cox Automotive. With 55,000 employees and a total revenue of $21 billion, it’s definitely successful. Its wide-reaching business covers Asia, Australia, Europe and Latin America.
Katharine Rayner is the heir to the fortune, by way of her maternal grandfather, who founded Cox Enterprises. One of three, she shares her fortune with her siblings Margaretta and James. She currently holds a 16% stake in the company, which is owing to her late mother, who held a 49% stake and divided it between her children. Currently residing in East Hampton New York, Rayner was living with her husband Billy (a painter and author) up until last year when he very sadly passed away. We’re sure she’s got family to surround her, and to enjoy the wealth together!
Charles Butt
Net Worth: $10.7 billion Source: H-E-B Supermarket Chain The now 81-year-old Charles Clarence Butt (don’t think of Sir Mix-a-Lot, don’t think of Sir Mix-a-Lot), is well, the most eligible bachelor for his age. Heir to the H-E-B Supermarket chain which is well-liked in the South, the business turns over a cool $20 billion per year. The popular supermarket chain is also popular as an employer, with his wonderful management tactics having him rated (as per AdvisoryCloud’s rankings) as the #5 Top CEO on its Top CEO List for 2013.
Charles was the son of Howard Edward Butt Sr., and Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth, and in turn, the grandson of Florence Butt, who founded the chain in 1905. He graduated from UPenn’s Wharton School before going on to later earn an MBA from Harvard Business School. In 1971 he was primed and ready to take the reins of the business, becoming chairman and CEO of the H.E. Butt Grocery Company. As well as being a billionaire, Butt is a philanthropist and was recognized by the Mexican government for his charity work and business help in their country. As such, he was given the Aguila Azteca medal for his involvement. Additionally, Butt has signed Warren Buffett’s famous Giving Pledge and has written that he will release his wealth to help children and teachers. What a guy!
Nicole Mellon
Net Worth: $1 billion Source: Matthew Mellon Nicole Mellon was married to Matthew Mellon, whom, despite his wealthy family and ties, made his fortune in a quicker, more lucrative way than most: cryptocurrency. The great, great, great grandson of Thomas Mellon (founder of Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh), he became the patriarch of one of America’s richest dynasties. At 21 he inherited a series of trusts worth $25 million and lived a fast and hard life. He met his first wife, Tamara Mellon (yes for you Jimmy Choo wearers, she’s a co-founder of the famous brand!) at A.A in 1998. Move over Tinder… Mellon, who was named Finance Chairman by State Chairman Ed Cox in 2011, made an investment of $2-million in the cryptocurrency XRP, which transformed into a staggering $1-billion fortune. Talk about a great investment!
Mellon wed Nicole Hanley and had two children with her, Olympia and Force. The couple and their children lived together in New York City up until their divorce in 2016. Their marriage quickly deteriorated and in a very public way, which was visible, unlike many other high-profile relationships. Apparently one of the main reasons for their breakup was the family’s enormous cost output. Later on it was reported that Mellon was still a huge spender, renting a home in LA for $150,000 US a MONTH. In April 2018, devastatingly, Matthew died in Cancun, Mexico. He was reported to have passed in a hotel room, suffering a fatal heart attack after ingesting ayahuasca, an Amazonian hallucinogenic drink. This was just a day before he was supposed to check into a clinic to help ward off his addiction to prescription opioid OxyContin. Sad. As a result of his death, Nicole inherited his billion-dollar fortune, and makes our list, despite the dark way of receiving the massive amount.
Owsley Brown III
Net Worth: $643 million Source: George Garvin Brown Heir to the Brown fortune, Owsley Brown III can be thanking his grandfather, George Garvin Brown for his many millions. George, who founded the Brown Forman Corp. in 1870, stumbled upon a business that would grow to be one of the largest American-owned companies in wine and spirits. Founded in Louisville Kentucky, it was the first of a few successful businesses for the Brown family. Brown III’s father was a philanthropist from Kentucky, and is known for owning Bittners, LLC, a 150-year-old interior design, architectural and furniture business which is based in Louisville.
As for Owsley Brown III? Well he’s a film producer. After graduating in 1993 from the University of Virginia, he went down the film production path. But that’s not all – after finishing university, he founded a wine company, Magnanimous Group, which focused on producing wines which came from sustainable vintners (winemakers). Brown was selective in employing winemakers who were creating a wine which was not only delicious but able to be maintained with the environment in mind. As for his films, they have focused on contemporary orchestral music. Some have won awards, including in 2000, his first film Night Waltz (which profiled composer Paul Bowles) was awarded the Independent Spirit Award. Not bad for a first go!
Haley Busch
Net Worth: $1.5 billion Source: Anheuser-Busch Now, there is one thing that America loves: it may not be French wine (in light of Donald Trump’s very public tweet bringing French wine down a whole other level), but it is indeed an alcoholic beverage. That beverage? Beer. Next up on our list is Haley Busch, heiress of Anheuser-Busch’s fortune, which is not only one of the biggest in America, but one of the biggest in the world. Aside from the inheritance, she’s also an actress and has carved a career for herself in the entertainment industry. Whilst they may not be Hollywood blockbusters, it’s certainly something, appearing in films such as The Final Song in 2014, as well as The Importance of Doubting Tom, Bratz, 23 Minutes to Sunrise among others.
The daughter of half of the fortune, Billy Busch, it was only natural that a child of elite background would go into an equally “elitist” sport (shoot us, we don’t care), like polo. As a polo champ, naturally she’s a part of the Bud Light Polo Team. Her skill in the game has won her many matches, including the U.S. Open match. Speaking of Bud Light, anyone else catches the tweet about Area 51? Something about offering free Bud Light to any alien that makes it out? (Controversial, let’s hope this makes it out before the government shuts us down!) The St.Louis-raised Haley is one of seven and studied at Sacred Heart School before going to acting school. The rest well is history! She spends her time between acting gigs and on her family’s farm, which was once owned by former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant! Dat prestige tho.
Caroline Rose Hunt
Net Worth: $1 billion Source: H.L. Hunt At one point in time, Caroline Rose Hunt was, in fact, one of the richest women in the United States of America. How’s that you ask? Well, she can thank her inheritance from the H.L.Hunt Oil empire for that title! Passed down from her parents, the entrepreneurial Hunt founded the luxury (and not “five-star” luxury, we’re talking thousands of dollars a night type luxury – think Hôtel de Crillon, Paris, etc) hospitality brand Rosewood Hotels Corporation. Any known celebrities are regulars at her prestigious, uber-luxe hotels, and pretty much is reserved for people who wouldn’t blink at spending $10,000 a night for accommodation. Excessive as it may seem, clearly there’s a market for it, and a burgeoning one at that!
After attending Mary Baldwin College and the University of Texas in North Austin, for the Arkansas-born Hunt, the world truly was her oyster. But she decided to go down a path which saw her become an author and philanthropist, as well as a mother, to five children! Up until she founded Rosewood Hotels (at the age of 55 – never too old to start something!), she didn’t hold any conventional job. But hey, if there’s anyone to be in that predicament, it’s going to be a mega-wealthy billionaire!
Dirk Ziff
Net Worth: $4.8 billion Source: William Bernard Ziff, Jr. Eldest son of publishing magnate William Bernard Ziff Jr. next up is the 54-year-old Dirk Edward Ziff. An American billionaire businessman, he and his two brothers inherited the family fortune. Some quick trivia for you: Ziff’s maternal grandparents, were well known for being war heroes, receiving the Israeli Righteous Among Nations honorific for their efforts to provide sanctuary and refuge to Jewish people during WWII! His father, on the other hand, was the Jewish American media magnate. The Ziff’s reach regarding publications includes PC Magazine, Popular Aviation, Car and Driver and more.
An attendee of Columbia, he received a Bachelor of Arts, and then went on to receive his Master of Business Administration from Harvard University. Ziff and his brothers inherited the family fortune in 1994 after their father sold 95% of the business for $1.4 billion and then retired. Initially, Papa Ziff wanted to pass on the family business, but due to their disinterest, sold and packed up! The brothers formed NYC based Ziff Brothers Investments, investing their inheritances. However, the company dissolved and now they invest independently! Ziff spends his time with former Forbes reporter Natasha Bacigalupo and their two children. Most recently we heard of Ziff resigning from the board of the Weinstein Company after allegations of sexual assault were disclosed. Talk about a scandal!
Lloyd Goldman
Net Worth: $3 billion Source: BLDG Mgmt. Son of real estate investor Irving Goldman, it’s actually his uncle, Sol, who was one of the most prominent real estate investors in NYC during the 1980s. His extensive portfolio included over 600 commercial and residential properties. Now that’s one wealthy landlord! Goldman, through his family ties, inherited a portfolio of these fabled real estate holdings but went down a path that saw him work on urban development. In the 90s, Goldman focused on buying properties that were a little dusty at government auctions. Some years prior, he founded BLDG Management which owns over 250 commercial properties across the United States, and the properties he bought up in the 90s now belong to this extensive portfolio. Pretty darn impressive!
Most recently, Goldman built BLDG Management’s first residential building in NYC, which was a change from the usual holdings of major office skyscrapers in the Big Apple! As well as his business pursuits, Goldman serves on a number of boards of charities – philanthropy is important to him! In 2012 for example, Goldman was elected president of American Associates, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He’s also a trustee of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.
Donald Newhouse
Net Worth: $12 billion Source: Sam Newhouse Now, this wealth has flowed down from his father, Samuel Irving Newhouse Sr., who was an American broadcasting businessman and magazine and newspaper publisher. He was the founder of Advance Publications in 1922, at 27 years of age. The eldest of eight children born to Jewish immigrants, Sam Meier Neuhaus Americanised his name to Meyer Newhouse! Donald is the heir to the publishing fortune built by his father, which he shares with his brother Samuel Irving Newhouse Jr. He went into the family business, and now owns the controlling stake. It owns famous titles including magazines such as The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and Vogue. Now that’s an impressive list of holdings.
Aside from magazines, Advance owns papers in American cities, such as The Oregonian, Plain-Dealer, and Star-Ledger. Advance has stakes in Discovery Communications and Bright House Networks, both of which are cable companies. So by diversifying their holdings, Advance has managed to continue with the steady income! According to Forbes, Newhouse has an estimated net worth of $11.8 billion!! Not much is known as to his current situation or what he’s up to, but our guess is that thee 90-year-old is enjoying watching his kids and grandkids grow up!
Randa Williams
Net Worth: $5.6 billion Source: Dan L. Duncan We really only need to write two words here without explaining the whole life story of Randa Williams. Texas. Oil. Ok done, can we go home now? Jokes aside, Randa Williams is the daughter of Dan Duncan, who was the co-founder, chairman and main shareholder of Enterprise Products. In 1957, Duncan worked for Wanda Petroleum, and with $10,000 and two propane delivery trucks, he went on his way to found Enterprise Products Co. He took it public in 1998, and at a peak was worth $9.0 billion. Amazing huh?
Enterprise Products Co. has oil and gas pipelines that span the entire nation. They help America go. The business has remained family-owned, with Randa and her siblings receiving the benefits of the company’s success. Williams, however, was successful in her own right and was a practicing lawyer before becoming the CEO of Enterprise! Upon her father’s death in 2010, Williams inherited $3.1 billion. She made headlines with her siblings when they became the first American billionaires to avoid estate tax (and still aren’t paying tax since the estate tax law’s enactment!). Dang. Williams does have a few philanthropic pursuits, as a board member of Houston Zoo, and a trustee of the Houston Natural Science Museum. Nice!
Daniel Ziff
Net Worth: $4.8 billion Source: William Bernard Ziff, Jr. A third of the Ziff Brothers Investments, we have Daniel Ziff up next. Inheriting his part of the Davis-Ziff fortune, he, like his brothers, invested in their own venture, turning their backs on their father and the family business. Whilst Ziff Brothers Investments was successful to start, the company dissolved.
However, some loose ends continued to prove lucrative, and maintain a steady stream of income for all three brothers! He and his brothers also helped founded Och-Ziff Capital Management with hedge fund mogul Daniel Och. Och’s firm gave them a 10% investment back, which was worth a small fortune. (Read: not small).
Herbert Fisk Johnson III
Net Worth: $4 billion Source: SC Johnson Ah, Fisk. That’s his preferred name we’ll have you know! Heir to the S.C. Johnson & Son fortune, next up is Herbert Fisk Johnson III. The son of the late Samuel Curtis Johnson Jr, he and his three siblings and mother each have a net worth of $3 billion as of May 2015. Wowza. The Wisconsin-born Fisk has quite the brain additional to being filthy rich – he’s got a BA in Chemistry and Physics, a Master of Engineering, an MBA in Marketing and Finance AND a Ph.D. in Physics. All from Cornell University. If anyone can afford all those tuition fees well, it’s gonna be him!
S.C. Johnson is a cleaning goods company that specializes in pretty much anything and everything you would ever imagine you would need to take care of your home. Joining the family business in 1987, he moved up the ranks and was appointed CEO in 2004. As well as his business experience, he’s also done some time in politics (well, policy!). He’s served as a member of the President’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiation and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development among others! His work has been to ensure sustainable development and conservation, as well as to increase ethical trade practices for multi-national corporations. Smart guy, smart outlook, deep pockets.
Robert Ziff
Net Worth: $4.8 billion Source: William Bernard Ziff, Jr. One-third of the Ziff brothers, Robert Ziff is next up. He, like his brothers, took his five percent of the Ziff-Davis publishing empire and invested it separately. Whether that was the best move will never be known, despite the fact that the initial financial management firm ended up being dissolved! Maybe the brothers should’ve stuck with the family business! The Ziff Brothers Investments used their inheritance in assets and holdings to manage hedge funds as well as to invest in real estate and commodities. But despite their efforts, it worked out better for them to close up shop and go their separate ways.
Despite the bump in the road, Ziff continued to invest his father’s hard-earned wealth, and he was backed by a serious education. Did you know that Robert Ziff graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in electrical and computer engineering, and then went on to finish Cornell Law School as the first in his class? Smart cookie! Ziff made headlines later on when he began openly donating millions to Republican politicians who support LGBTQ marriage, which was a break from the party’s more traditionalist platform. His brothers supported him in this venture, though it was of course, controversial and questioned by the media! #loveislove?
Anderson Cooper
Net Worth: $110 million Source: Gloria Vanderbilt When you hear his name, you may be initially scratching your head – but Anderson Cooper is a name that is definitely not one to be messed around with! He’s related to the Vanderbilt’s – aha, yes, now you’re with us! The family, which holds one of the largest fortunes in the United States, extends to Cooper. We’re sure he realized pretty early on that this was definitely a good thing!
Despite his access to the astounding wealth of the Vanderbilt’s, he is successful in his own right, founding a career in journalism. An author, journalist and TV personality, Cooper host the popular CNN news show Anderson Cooper 360. But he didn’t slide straight into the hosting chair – he started as a fact checker for Channel One before moving up and making his career! A Yale University alumnus, Cooper also has the looks! Taking after his iconic fashionista mother Gloria Vanderbilt, Cooper modelled for Calvin Klein and Ralph Lauren (tbh, they’re all friends, so makes sense that high society elevates their own!). Rewind a little further and you might remember a young Cooper as a child model for Harper’s Bazaar!
Rooney Mara
Net Worth: $12 million Source: Timothy Christopher Mara The very elegant, very gorgeous Rooney Mara is best known for her rise to fame for her role in the film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. But let’s not forget that she is also notorious (in a good way of course!) for appearing on pretty much every “Best Dressed Celeb” list! Aside from these two hard facts, Mara is, in fact, an heiress. Born in upstate New York, she has since made the pilgrimage over to Hollywood and resides in the exclusive suburb of A-listers: the Hollywood Hills.
An attendee of George Washington University and New York University, she was a girl with a back-up plan, getting an education just in case! As for her family’s fortune, the Mara family invested in the Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Team. As the co-owners of the team, they’re worth quite a bit of cash. Back to her breakout role, where she appeared as the mysterious, badass hacker Lisbeth Salander, it is pretty amazing that her first role was to put her not just near the spotlight, but directly in it. Her performance won her many prestigious accolades, including Oscar and Golden Globe nominations. Rich, beautiful AND talented. What a woman!
Giada De Laurentiis
Net Worth: $20 million Source: Dino De Laurentiis One of America’s favorite celebrity TV chefs, next up is Rome-born Giada de Laurentiis! The TV personality, author and chef is best known as being the host of Giada at Home. The Food Network star was just so good at presenting that the Today Show frequently has her on as a guest host! In many ways she’s America’s answer to Nigella Lawson. (But nobody beats Nigella, sorry Giada!) As for her wealth, most of it has been accumulated off the back of her own work of course, but it is worth noting that both her parents were both in the film industry. Her mother’ father Dino de Laurentiis was a famous movie producer, and her mother, Veronica, was an Italian actress! Her father too was an actor and producer who knew Dino quite well – so it seems that her entertainment business connections didn’t start at Giada!
She’s won a number of awards for her TV hosting aptitude, including an Emmy for the category of Lifestyle Host. Not bad at all! She’s received a Gracie award, as well as being inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame! So whilst she is quite nice to look at, she’s also very good in the kitchen, and earned her credentials from Le Cordon Bleu!
North West
Net Worth: $130 million Source: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian (Parents) Tbh this kid is like, one of the wealthiest celebrity kids, ever. North West, the first daughter of iconic rapper Kanye West and his reality star and entertainment queen Kim Kardashian. Whilst she was born prematurely, she’s, in fact, Kim’s first natural pregnancy, but the star has admitted later on that pregnancy wasn’t exactly blissful for her! With the money they’ve got, it’s no wonder she went the surrogate route! North West’s upbringing, however, has come under much scrutiny, particularly after she was firstly snapped at Christmas time sporting red lipstick, as well as wearing heels to one of her cousins’ birthday parties.
Look, if the kid wants to put on some lippie and practice strutting her stuff in mommy’s heels, whatever! At the end of the day, this kid is going to have a million people telling her what to do when she’s older, so let the girl be herself! Spiel over (soz not soz), but North West now has her own career! She’s appeared in TV commercials, and even in a Paul McCartney’s music video (with her daddy Kanye alongside of course!) Being the daughter of Kanye, naturally, she’s going to be decked out in the latest Yeezy collections. So yeah, that means she’s got a (fire) wardrobe that’s worth thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars. Ah, how the other half (ok maybe not half) lives eh?
Taylor Swift
Net Worth: $320 million Source: Andrea Swift Taylor Swift first came on the scene at just 15 years old and was skyrocketed to fame after signing with a music label in Nashville. Country music was her niche, but she has managed to mature and emerge as one of the most famous pop singers in the world. She’s one of the few country girls who have managed to transition effortlessly over to the pop charts! #taytay. Much of her songwriting inspiration comes from personal experience to the delight of her millions of adoring fans. From boy trouble to well, boy trouble, Swift has covered it all, more recently sharing with the world an edgier version of herself. Sure is a far cry from her cutesy smash hit “Love Story.”
The Pennsylvania-born Swift comes under so much scrutiny for her love life and general lifestyle that it’s no wonder she disappears from time to time. We’d need it for our own sanity tbh. Poor Taylor. With great fame and power comes great scrutiny it seems. Sure most of her wealth is self-made, but it’s important to note that Swift came from a wealthy background - both parents were successful in the financial industry - her mother Andrea was a marketing exec for a mutual fund, and her father a Merrill Lynch stockbroker. Money makes more money, and with a little bit of talent, A LOT of money!
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Net Worth: $15 million Source: Stephen Gyllenhaal Success runs in the family, clearly. At least that’s true for the Gyllenhaal’s! Maggie Gyllenhaal like her brother Jake, found a talent in the entertainment business. An acclaimed actress, she is the daughter of world-famous director Stephen Gyllenhaal, whilst her mother is screenwriter Naomi Foner! From as early as her teenage years, Gyllenhaal began acting, with her debut alongside her brother Jake in Donnie Darko. She then was cast to star in Secretary and soon after Sherrybaby. Both of these performances earned her Golden Globe nominations! Pretty sweet for a teen huh?
But she really caused a stir in The Dark Knight as Rachel, Batman’s love interest, who was formerly played by Katie Holmes. Her appearance in Nolan’s stunning interpretation of the classic superhero film definitely put her on the map. A year later, her performance in Crazy Heart opposite Jeff Bridges was decidedly Oscar-nomination worthy. Oh, and of course as for her inheritance, well, it’s a combination of her own acting but also her parents’ work in the industry all those years prior!
Edward Norton
Net Worth: $80 million Source: Edward Mower Norton, Jr. Now, Edward Norton, you would’ve seen in a fair few films, but we won’t list them all just yet! Now the reason the Boston-born actor and filmmaker is on our list is due to the incredible fortune he’s inherited additional to the earnings of his entertainment career. The three-time Oscar-nominated actor can thank his grandfather, who founded The Rouse Company, an urban planning business, as well as Enterprise Community Partners, a real estate company. Between these two businesses, the Norton family made a fortune. Moreover, his father Edward Mower Norton Jr., not only served in Vietnam, but was a well-known federal prosecutor and environmental lawyer.
As a child, the young Norton was drawn to the theatre, and it was here that he first got his taste of the acting world! He graduated from Yale University and worked in Japan for a little while before moving to New York City to look for acting jobs. His debut role was alongside Hollywood heartthrob Richard Gere in Primal Fear. It was for this performance that he was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his supporting role. But his most memorable and iconic role, opposite Brad Pitt no less, was in the cult film Fight Club. The first rule of Fight Club is: You do not talk about Fight Club.” So we’re gonna stop talking!
Blue Ivy Carter
Net Worth: $1.2 billion (net worth of her parents!) Source: Beyoncé and Jay-Z (Parents) When your parents are Beyoncé and Jay-Z, you just know (or maybe are too young to appreciate the gravity of it) you’re going to a) make it and b) be filthy rich. Like, this kid got a handmade rocking horse worth… wait for it… $600,000 US!!! And of course, it wasn’t made of plain old wood… it was solid gold, duh. Handcrafted by Japanese jeweler, Ginza Tanaka. Yeah, a solid gold rocking horse and a diamond-encrusted pram, oh and her NURSERY alone cost $1.3 million US. You know, to get it just right, Born in 2012, she’s probably the most spoilt 7-year-old on the planet, and whilst she’s apparently “down to earth” (pretty sure that’s what the rep wants us to think), this precocious kid has the privilege of VIP seats when her parents go on tour. Not sure about Hova’s concerts – she’d definitely need some ear muffs for the expletives!
Clearly, her momma Beyoncé is very private about her cherished personal life, only dropping hints here and there of their special connection – cue, Lemonade. But it seems that Blue Ivy is a natural in the spotlight and is taking very well to her designer wardrobe and fancy friends. Taking up ballet and dabbling in music, it seems that Blue Ivy is set for stardom. Fun fact: Beyoncé and Jay-Z tried to trademark her name. In a win for logic, the US Patent Office refused. Um but, free Beyoncé tickets for a TM? Yeah, they’re people stronger than us.
Megan Ellison
Net Worth: $200 million Source: Oracle So, Megan Ellison is the daughter of Larry Ellison, who is the Oracle Corporation chairman. Oracle is worth a cool $60 billion US. Yeah, you read that right: six zero, and a lot more zeroes after that! Larry Ellison’s salary in 2017 was a staggering $41.5 MILLION. Yeah, in a year’s work. That’s what, over $5000 per HOUR he gets paid! Insane. Okay okay back to Megan. We’ll quit crunching the numbers and making ourselves feel inadequate, before requesting a hefty pay rise! Megan is in fact, a film producer, debuting in 2007. So of her own merit, she’s achieved a small (not so small really, but in comparison to her father’s net worth of $70+ billion, well, it palls) fortune, sitting in the couple of hundred millions. She’s produced some pretty awesome films, which have received critical acclaim, including Zero Dark Thirty, American Hustle, Her, The Master and Phantom Thread. And naturally, she’s been nominated for a series of awards for her work on these films!
Ellison was named on TIME’s “Most Influential” list for her contributions to modern cinema. Interestingly, Ellison dropped out of film school after just a year, and in fact, asked her dad for some funding for a few low-budget films. Her early venture into producing included thee Coen Brothers film True Grit. All it takes is one film before you’re recognised and, on your way, to fame and fortune! But hey, she’s set to inherit some ridiculous cash from her father one day.
Jordin Sparks
Net Worth: $10 million Source: Phillippi Sparks So whilst Jordin Sparks rose to fame on reality singing show, American Idol, there’s in fact a little back story – she’s got a famous father! Her dad is none other than Phillippi Sparks, a former NFL player. He was signed with both the New York Giants (1992-1999) and then the Dallas Cowboys.
His daughter, Jordin was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and of course was heard on one of America’s favorite TV shows. The singer-songwriter found her genres in R&B and Pop, with a number of hit albums and singles to her name – who can forget Tattoo (as her debut song!) and Battlefield…oh and come on, the duet with Chris Brown No Air? Classic! Sparks has in fact sold over 1 million albums and 10 million singles in the United States! And it’s no wonder, she’s got a beautiful voice! It makes sense then that Jordin Sparks has gone on to be one of the most successful American Idol contestants of all time. Since then she tied the knot with Dana Isaiah, and the pair just last year welcomed their first child together, a son named DJ. Cute!
Bryce Dallas Howard
Net Worth: $15 million Source: Ron Howard Bryce Dallas Howard is firstly, drop-dead gorgeous. And where could she have possibly inherited those flaming red locks from? Her dad, Ron Howard of course! The daughter of the mega-famous film director, he’s got a plethora of wonderful films with his credentials on them! Look, we’d be here all day if we had to list even half of them! His daughter, Bryce seems to have somewhat followed in her father’s footsteps, as an actress and film director herself. She made her debut in the entertainment biz at the age of eight, or the year 1989. Surely, she had a leg-up from her Oscar-winning actor/director father Ron!
A student of the Tisch School of Arts in New York, Howard soon decided it wasn’t right for her, and left to act on Broadway. She was given the role of Rosalind in Shakespeare’s classic As You Like It and was finally given some of the recognition she deserved! During her season as Rosalind, her performance caught the eye of a one M. Night Shyamalan. The director, who is best known for his films with “contemporary supernatural plots and twist endings”, cast Howard in his film The Village, a psychological thriller. Shyamalan took her under his wing in some respects, two years later Howard starred in his 2006 film Lady in the Water. Since then, the red-haired beauty (who is often mistaken for her redhead “sister” Jessica Chastain), has gone on to star in the Jurassic Park remakes alongside Chris Pratt, as well as recently starring in the biographical film Rocketman which documents the life of musician Sir Elton John.
Adam Levine
Net Worth: $90 million Source: Fred Levine Adam Levine is well, not only very good looking but also very talented. With his unique set of pipes, it was his voice that helped Maroon 5 gain their distinctive sound AND massive fan base. His success in the band sure helped his bank account balance, but we’re also giving a shout out to his pops, Fred Levine. The producer made a small fortune with his production company; however, we think the majority of Adam’s fortune is owing to his own talent!
The Voice took on Levine as a judge too, which not only helped their ratings, but also gave fans an insight into the talented singer’s abilities not only on the microphone, but in coaching up and coming young stars. From humble beginnings singing in his home of Los Angeles at the age of 14, he’s certainly come a long way since the band Kara’s Flowers! Fun fact: once this band well, disbanded, they reformed and changed their name to Maroon 5! Seems the name change did them a whole lot of good! Fast forward and the multi-platinum selling band has won three Grammys, AMAs, eight BMAs, an MTVMA, and a World Music Award. Levine has also appeared in American Horror Story’s Asylum season (season 2). Oh and not to mention he married Victoria’s Secret model, South African babe Behati Prinsloo.
Ariana Grande
Net Worth: $50 million Source: Edward Butera There are few singers in the world with a name bigger than Ariana Grande. The ridiculously talented Grande has a voice that’s got the same effect on our spines as Mariah Carey and Christina Aguilera before her. A singer, actress, and songwriter, Grande is best-known for her crazy vocal range – and she’s also talented with her vocal impressions: definitely check out the “wheel of impressions” skit from Jimmy Fallon’s show, she’s incredible!
Her career began at the age of 13 (and she’s so tiny we’re not sure she grew any further!), starting out on Broadway, in the musical “13.” She was soon picked up by the Nickelodeon network, and her fame grew on the shows Victorious and Sam & Cat. It wasn’t until she released her debut album, Yours Truly that things got serious with her career. That album sent the world of pop crazy, and it peaked on the Billboard charts. Fast forward a few years and a few albums (not to mention a few Grammys) and she’s got more followers than Kim Kardashian, at a whopping 160.5 million! Her latest album, Thank U, Next has been a worldwide sensation!
Paul Giamatti
Net Worth: $25 million Source: Angelo Bartlett Giamatti Paul Giamatti. He’s just got one of those unforgettable faces and delivers his roles in a way like no other actor! The actor and producer has a talent for comedy but also can play dramatic roles exceptionally well. Let’s contrast Big Fat Liar with Saving Private Ryan, for example! However aside from his movie roles, of which he has over 40 credits (and in films that you would’ve seen, not the B-grade stuff!), he’s, in fact, an heir himself. The son of Angelo Giamatti, Paul’s father was, in fact, the President of the ever-prestigious Yale University. Naturally, like his father, Paul attended the university before pursuing acting as a career.
His first role, in the epic film Saving Private Ryan, put him on the map, and he experienced a lot of success in the late 90s and early 2000s. Fast forward and he was handed dramatic roles and comedic parts, however his performances in Sideways and American Splendor are critically acclaimed. Not to mention his role in Ron Howard’s Great-Depression-set Cinderella Man, opposite Russell Crowe. Playing Crowe’s manager in the film, this role won him an Oscar. An amazing and diverse actor!
Armie Hammer
Net Worth: $16 million Source: Michael Armand Hammer What. A. Hunk. Standing at 6 foot 7, this tall, tall glass of water is one of our favorite leading men. Most recently you would’ve seen him opposite Henry Cavill in The Man from U.N.C.L.E as well as the gorgeous and beautifully shot Call Me by Your Name, also starring Timothée Chalamet. (For his role in the latter he was nominated for a Golden Globe!)
But aside from his acting chops, he’s also got quite a large inheritance to fall back on. His father, Michael Hammer is a businessman, and his grandfather, Armand, was an oil tycoon. Armand also, was Armie’s namesake. Now that’s a nice tribute. The California-born Hammer got his start on television, before his cinema debut in Billy: The Early Years, where he starred as Billy Graham. His role in The Social Network as the Winklevoss twins (don’t worry, he only played one!) earned him a Toronto Film Critics Award! Uber talented and uber handsome. Oh and wealthy. Dang!
Spike Jonze
Net Worth: $50 million Source: Arthur H. Spiegel III Filmmaker and director Spike Jonze is pretty well known these days. Born Adam Spiegel, it is this name to which he has inherited a large stash of cash! His grandfather Arthur Spiegel was the founder of APM Management Consultants, back in 1974. This business proved successful; however, the success of the Spiegel family even predates Spike’s grandfather. His great-great-grandfather founded the Spiegel catalogue!
The family’s interest in media and business clearly runs in the blood, with Jonze first dipping his toes into the media world by photographing BMX riders as a teen for skateboarding publications! He used this platform to leapfrog to filming skating music videos, and finally to the regular music videos which he is famous for directing! Yeah, you know like, music videos for the likes of Kanye West and Daft Punk. Not bad at all! In 1999 Spike Jonze began directing feature films, some of which you would be familiar, including: Being John Malkovich, which earned him an Oscar nomination, as well as thee award-winning Her and Where the Wild Things Are.
Nick Kroll
Net Worth: $500 million Source: Kroll, Inc. Yah, half a billion. That’s what Nick Kroll is worth. The New York City-born writer, comedian, and actor is the son of Jules and Lynn Kroll. His father, Jules, founded Kroll Inc., a corporate risk consulting and investigations firm that is worth well over $1 billion. He found a niche in comedy and decided to put his acting skills to work in the genre that America so loves! Whilst his family is known for their conservative background, Kroll is keeping things light by straying down the comedy path. We wonder what his parents must think, but then again, maybe we know. Good for Nick for taking the plunge!
His acting roles include appearing in Cavemen, Big Mouth, Hello Show, and The League. He also starred in his own show, The Kroll Show. He appeared in the films I Love You, Man, Dinner for Schmucks, Get Him to the Greek, Date Night, among others. From the types of films you can clearly see that Kroll has quite the sense of humor!
Miley Cyrus
Net Worth: $160 million Source: Billy Ray Cyrus Miley Cyrus is one of those teen Disney stars who, despite a somewhat bumpy ride, managed to make it out into adulthood in one piece. We think part of that is owing to her now husband, Liam Hemsworth. The adorable couple, who met on the set of The Last Song (throwback!), tied the knot earlier this year. If you haven’t seen the gorgeous custom Vivienne Westwood, you’re missing out! The esteemed and popular singer and actress is also the daughter of the country star Billy Ray Cyrus. DO NOT start singing Old Town Road. We’ve had enough mmkay? So she’s inherited an itty bit of her $$$ from her father. But tbh, her career and popularity definitely takes the… reins. Heh.
She’s a versatile songstress and has dabbled in pop, country, and even hip-hop. Famous for her squeaky-clean image as Hannah Montana on the Disney channel, she wrestled with her teen idol status. But we think somewhere between her songs “Wrecking Ball” and “Malibu” there was a change of heart. A mellowing out, and a happy place was found. So good for you, Miley. She is also an activist and founder of the Happy Hippie Foundation, which helps to end youth homelessness and persecution of the LGBTQ community. She recently appeared as one of the protagonists on the hit Netflix show Black Mirror – be sure to check it out, she’s brilliant!
Rashida Jones
Net Worth: $25 million Source: Quincy Jones & Peggy Lipton The very gorgeous Rashida Jones is one of those women with more to them than meets the eye. An acclaimed actress, writer, producer, and women’s activist, she’s also the daughter of the legendary music producer Quincy Jones. Pretty cool huh? The Harvard University graduate first started out as Karen on The Office as well as her role as Louisa on the show Boston Public. Also, how can we forget her role as Anne on Parks & Rec? Classic!
Married to Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, the pair have one beautiful bub together, Isaiah Jones Koenig. Did you know that Koenig is the German word for “king”? You’re welcome for that bit of trivia. Learn something new every day! Back to Jones, sure she inherited some $$ from papa Jones, but she’s also got a lot of it owing to her own talent and hard work! She co-wrote film Celeste and Jesse Forever, as well as having roles in The Social Network, I Love You, Man, Cop Out and Our Idiot Brother. As for her activist path, she in fact directed part of the documentary series Hot Girls Wanted, discussing the exploitation of the sex/entertainment industry in America. Also, if you haven’t seen Toy Story 4 yet, please do, and listen out for a familiar husky voice.
Allison Williams
Net Worth: $2 million Source: Brian Williams Daughter of renowned news anchor and journalist Brian Williams, next up is Alison Williams! Best known for her role as Marnie Michaels on the HBO comedy-drama series Girls, she’s made some waves in the entertainment industry! Also if you haven’t seen Get Out, please, do yourself a favor and get on it – her performance in the horror flick got the town talking, not to mention an Oscar nomination! Whilst her father Brian was the NBC Nightly News anchor, her mother Jane Stoddard is a TV producer! Between her two successful parents working in the media and TV production, she has a small fortune to her name!
A Yale alumnus, Williams is just giving us prestige vibes. Yale, damn. As for her personal life, she was dating Ricky Van Veen, the co-founder of CollegeHumour, back in 2011. Fast forward a few years and the pair tied the knot, with a very famous celebrant: Tom Hanks! Unfortunately, the pair announced just last month that they would be splitting up. As for her future, well, Netflix horror film, The Perfection was just released – and we’re sure she’s going to continue with this genre which seems to be so successful for her!
Alexa Ray Joel
Net Worth: $10 million Source: Billy Joel The daughter of the singer of Billy Joel, Alexa Ray Joel is next up on our list! The Manhattan-born Joel followed in her father’s footsteps, moving into music herself! The young Joel fancies herself a pop singer, with a splash of soul and blues! Music seems to be in the bloodlines because she’s a bit of a whiz on the keys – she’s trained in classical piano and on the keyboard! Not to mention she’s a songwriter too! Wonder if she asked dad for a little help?
On her mom’s side, well, it’s no wonder Alexa turned out so pretty – her mother is Christie Brinkley. Helloooo! Sure, Christie and Billy split up in the 90s, but Alexa got the looks! As for Alexa’s middle name Ray, it’s actually (and here’s some trivia for you) a tribute to musician Ray Charles, who was a close friend of Billy Joel’s! Now that’s pretty sweet. The heiress and now-singer has been in the industry for over 10 years and has been signed to a few labels in the past, including The Hang Productions, Inc., Audio Bee, and ARJ Music most recently. Maybe this “Pianowoman” might just live up to her father’s success!
Travis Knight
Net Worth: $34 billion Source: Nike Imagine being tied (sorry, directly linked) to the Nike fortune? Yeah, like Nike the multinational sportswear corporation. Yeah, that tiny little “tick” logo is worth a cool $34 billion. But before we get caught up in the sportswear and lifestyle mammoth, let’s turn to its creator, and importantly, his son, who’s set to inherit a gigantic fortune! The son of Nike founder Phil Knight, next on our list is Travis Knight. But it seems that fame and fortune seem to be a strong trend in the Knight family, with his grandfather, William Knight, being a famous publisher! Maybe the success gene is well, a gene in the Knight make-up! A graduate of Portland State university, Knight has made himself an Oregon-native. With the financial backing and support of his daddy-o, Knight was able to have a few career flings (no no, not romantic!), first emerging as a rapper, using a recording studio which he built on the ground floor of his father’s mansion!
Look, with a name like “Chilly Tee”, we’re not sure how far he thought he was going to go with it, but funnily enough, he produced a demo on his own (not like he didn’t have the funding right?) and found some success! He then switched careers, deciding to pursue film direction and animation. He scored a job with the Laika movie studio, and the rest is history! If you’ve heard of (or seen) Coraline and Kubo & the Two Strings, (and if you haven’t, definitely add them to your list!), then you’ve seen Knight’s work! Knight even received an Academy Award nomination for best animated feature – now if that’s not some serious credit then we don’t know what is!
Suri Cruise
Net Worth: $300 million Source: Tom Cruise (Father) The smallest Cruise is well, not so small anymore! The now 13-year-old is a teen fashionista, and we’ve had our eye on this one since she was just a 5-year-old! The daughter of former power couple Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, between the two of her famous parents, she’s set to inherit quite a large sum of money. Tom Cruise is, of course, a megastar, and is still producing films and starring in blockbusters – did you know there’s another Top Gun coming out soon? Yeah! Anyway, Cruise is worth almost half a billion, and Katie is worth over eight figures! So if you do some quick math there, little Suri is set to inherit close to $300 million. Now that’s more than enough to fund a designer wardrobe any shopaholic woman would be envious of!
The only biological child of actor-producer Tom Cruise (you might remember when he was married to Australian actress Nicole Kidman, the pair adopted two children), Suri received quite a lot of press when she was born. As she grew, the toddler was snapped for her stylish outfits, which mother Holmes at the time would say were of her own choosing! Since then, Suri has grown up with both her parents supporting her, despite the fact the pair split several years ago. But hey, on the positive side (and ok first can we just say we’re not saying money buys you happiness), she’s got enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life – and she’s already about town enjoying those privileges!
Georgia May Jagger
Net Worth: $360 million Source: Mick Jagger When you’re the daughter of one of the world’s leading frontmen, it’s hardly surprising that Georgia May Jagger wouldn’t be short of a quid. The English-born model and designer has the supermodel genes in her blood, inherited from catwalk model mother Jerry Hall. The daughter of Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger, Georgia inherited her father’s famous gap and the long lines of her mother!
Making her debut in ‘08, Georgia May Jagger signed with Independent Models, before jumping across to TESS. She’s been in quite a few ads and plastered across a number of billboards which you probably would’ve seen either in the US or across the pond in the United Kingdom. In 2009, following her fashion debut, the leggy blonde was awarded the British Fashion Council’s Model of the Year Award. Her natural good looks and… dare we say it – swagger, have attracted luxury brands such as Chanel, Versace, Miu Miu, Vivienne Westwood as well as international brands H&M and Hudson Jeans. Oh and of course, she’s a Rimmel girl! It seems everyone wants a piece of Jagger – did we mention she’s also appeared in advertisements for Angel Fragrance by Thierry Mugler?
Susan Rockefeller
Net Worth: $3.3 million Source: John D. Rockefeller Susan Rockefeller makes our heiress list by marriage – as such, through her husband David, she has a part of the Standard Oil fortune. A major American oil company that held a monopoly on the market for a time, Standard Oil peaked in the early twentieth century, was worth a staggering $313 billion. Founded of course by John D. Rockefeller, Standard Oil Co. Inc was the largest oil refinery in the world of its time.
The heiress, however, did have a life before marriage (funny, that) and is actually a filmmaker, conservationist, and philanthropist who has a seat on the boards of many wonderful charities. For someone with so much, it’s nice to see Susan giving back! A Hampshire College attendee, Rockefeller received her BA and then went on to obtain her MA from New York University. As for her filmmaking pursuits, Rockefeller is known for her courageous style, taking on difficult issues such as PTSD, poverty, racism, illness and the destruction of natural ecosystems. Her films have received much awareness, airing on educational channels as well as awards from the NOAA.
The Bezos Children
Net Worth: $131 billion Source: Amazon, Inc. Following the split between Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and his wife of over twenty years, Mackenzie Bezos, it’s safe to say that regardless, the kids are going to be alright! Amazon has become a household name and is an e-commerce brand that made Bezos the single richest man in America. The business was initially incorporated as a book-selling company in the ‘90s but quickly piggybacked on the e-commerce trend and has grown from strength to strength. We all know how huge Amazon is now – so you can see where that $131 billion figure comes from!
The e-commerce megalodon sells pretty much anything – from monogrammed umbrellas to your favorite plush toy or even a kinky cosplay outfit. Anything you can dream of, Amazon will have it! And the people to benefit the most from this whopping fortune? The Bezos children of course! The four young Bezos kids are set to inherit the fortune and boy do we hope they invest wisely! Despite the astronomical figures which are difficult to fathom, it’s well-deserved considering Bezos’ humble origins. It’s quite the story – so definitely have a read!
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
Net Worth: $800 Million
The two got married in 2009. As the daughter of famed businessman, real estate mogul and former President Donald J. Trump, Ivanka Trump has been in the limelight for the majority of her life. Today, this Trump heiress is worth an unbelievable amount of money. Kushner is also a business man who has brought millions into this relationship.
A former model, this 5’10” beauty and mother of three is also an established, successful businesswoman, and is the owner of her own fashion label. Over the years, Ivanka has earned the reputation as a ladylike, put-together woman with an exceptional sense of New York City-influenced style.