Many made their fortunes through excellent investments or by getting into an industry at the perfect time (i.e., oil and natural gas drilling in the 1960s and ’70s). Others were big players in fashion, food production or healthcare. And in recent years, tech and the internet have created oodles of new money.
Richest Families in The US [United States] | Wealthiest Families in the US
1. Shoen Family
The Shoens’ wealth comes from their 40 percent ownership of U-Haul, which is based in Phoenix and pioneered the concept of moving your own belongings with a rented vehicle.
The company was founded by Leonard Shoen and Anna Mary Carty in 1945. They left their fortune and stake in the company to their children and grandchildren, who now run U-Haul.
2. Shoen Family
Estimated worth: $8.5 billion
3. Walton Family
Estimated worth: $163 billion
4. Gillam Family
Robert B. Gillam made his fortune as the president and CEO of McKinley Capital Management, an investment adviser that has made more than $7 billion in assets since the business started in 1990.
Before dying abruptly in late 2018, Gillam was best known for vehemently opposing a mining project that would’ve been close to his fishing lodge by pouring $30 million into the successful effort to quash it.
Now his son, Robert A. Gillam, runs the company as CEO and CIO.
5. Rane Family
When Jimmy Rane and his brother, Greg, took over their family’s yard treatment business in the 1970s, it was doing $22,000 a year in sales. Nowadays, Great Southern Wood Preserving generates $1 billion in annual revenue while featuring Jimmy in the company’s advertisements as the “Yella Fella.”
Jimmy has also funded hundreds of scholarships over the years and spent massive amounts to revitalize his hometown of Abbeville.
Estimated worth: $1 billion
