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!
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!)
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!