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.
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!
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.