The World's Most Powerful Families

They are some of the most powerful families in the world. No, they need not control an entire country nor are their fingers at the trigger of some of the most powerful weapons in the world. But they have been extremely successful, and in so doing, we mere mortals find ourselves being influenced whether explicitly or tacitly by what they do and what they have to say. These are ten of the most powerful families in the world.

 
1. Rothschild
They are some of the most powerful families in the world. No, they need not control an entire country nor are their fingers at the trigger of some of the most powerful weapons in the world. But they have been extremely successful, and in so doing, we mere mortals find ourselves being influenced whether explicitly or tacitly by what they do and what they have to say. These are ten of the most powerful families in the world.



Mr. Jean Marie Le Pen and his wife

  The Rothschilds, is a family, originating in Frankfurt, Germany, that established a European banking dynasty starting in the late 18th century, that came even to surpass the most powerful families of the 1700s such as Baring and Berenberg. Five lines of the Austrian branch of the family have been elevated to Austrian nobility, being given five hereditary titles of Barons of the Habsburg Empire by Emperor Francis II in 1816. Another line, of the British branch of the family, was elevated to British nobility at the request of Queen Victoria, being given the two hereditary titles of Baronet (1847) and Baron (1885).
 
One OF The Rothschild House

 
 2. Rupert
It started out with a small cigarette company back in 1941. From that miniscule investment, the Ruperts have now become a billion dollar corporate empire. Luxury brands like Cartier, Monte Blanc and Dunhill are part of their conglomerate under the Richemont banner. They also control the investment group called Remgro. The family also has a huge stake in the wine and brandy business, controlling nearly a fifth of South Africa’s wine market and up to 80 percent of all brandy sales. And talk about keeping the wealth within the ranks of the wealthy, the family’s wine business is in partnership with the Rothschilds. The Ruperts also own the Mediclinic chain of private hospitals.
 
Johann Rupert poses with his wife


The private vintage car collection of billionaire Johann Rupert makes for one of the most peculiar museums in Cape Town

 3. Genovese
Photo of reputed Genovese crime family captain Angelo Prisco
 Remember the Corleone family of New York in the epic Godfather series, and how they ventured into the casino business in Nevada? The Genovese family, the most powerful of all the mob families in the east coast, inspired that story. Founded by Lucky Luciano in the early part of the 20th century, it has since extended its control on organized crime from New York to Chicago. Bugsy Malone opened the first casino in Las Vegas only after getting the go-signal from the Genoveses.
 
Genovese Mafia capo “Tony D” Palumbo Sentenced to 10 Years for N.Y. Murder Plot
estdyke is a large and sparse suburban neighborhood in Alderney and also Alderney's wealthiest township. North Westdyke is made up of large homes and mansions in a quiet suburbia, home to some of Alderney & Liberty's elite such as Saint Genovese, Don of Alderney's Genovese Crime Family. This is were the main compound of the Genovese is.

 Cars of the family

 
4. McMahon
We might think of professional wrestling as nothing but slapstick fun disguised as sports, but the McMahons have elevated this kind of entertainment into a billion-dollar enterprise. The wonderful thing about the family is that they are not averse to playing a role in front of the camera, even if it would open them up to scorn and ridicule from wrestling fans. Then again, what are scorn and ridicule if it would also open up the door to tons of money for their bank accounts? Their company, World Wrestling Entertainment, has gotten so huge that they have gobbled up erstwhile competitors like WCW and ECW.
The McMahon's Family
The HHH;s Family
House of McMahon
The most expensive cars that he use


 
5. Astor
Ever wondered why a lot of streets, buildings and suburbs in New York are named Astor or Astoria? That is because they were named after the Astor family, who was once known as the Landlord of New York. They were responsible for building a lot of hotels and residential blocks, and even the New York Public Library. They started out in the fur business in the 18th century, but soon started investing in real estate. They have since crossed the pond, with an Astor getting a seat in the British House of Commons. Some have even gotten noble titles.
The art gallery of the Astor House that was also used for balls
Back in the early 1890's The Astor Family was the wealthiest family in New York City
Cliveden, once home to the Astor family, now an exclusive hotel.
Brooke Astor and her home
Astor Martin has launched its new range of cars in India 
 
6. Capetian
 The family is Europe’s largest and oldest royal house. Back in the days when much of the continent was ruled by monarchy, the Capetian family held sway in several countries. Their bloodline has seen three Latin emperors and nine kings of Portugal. The family is also known as the House of France, as 40 French rulers came from their blood, including the modern heir to the throne. While France is now a republic, the Capetians can still count on Spain and Luxembourg, as King Juan Carlos and Grand Duke Henri both belong to the clan.
House of Bourbon - Paris -Kingdom of Europe
Capetian dynasty under the reign of Philip II

 
7. Porsche
Porsche Family
Porsche is one of the dream sports cars, while Volkswagen is known as a people’s car. The two are actually sister companies. The current head of Porsche is a man named Ferdinand Piech, grandson of the creator of the super car. His wife, on the other hand, controls Volkswagen. Yes, this publicly owned multinational company is actually controlled by just one family.
Porsche family car

8. Rockefeller
 What is a top ten list of richest families in the world without the Rockefellers? The family can trace its wealth back to the 19th century when they ruled the oil business. Their control of the entire industry was so tight that the antitrust law was crafted to break up their business, as they had virtually monopolized the trade. Up to now, their influence can still be felt through the giant financial institution called JP Morgan Chase.
Rockefeller Family

Two of the family houses

 
9. Oppenheimer
When you control a significant stake in the companies that own a huge percentage of all the mineral wealth in the world, then you know you deserve to be on this list. The Oppenheimers owned De Beers and Anglo American, which mine pretty much the world’s supply of diamonds, gold and platinum.  While the family has sold most of its shareholdings in De Beers, there is no denying its clout that they have been trying to put to good use by introducing local investment opportunities in their native country.
Oppenheimer with his wife, Anh, and son, A.J.
Oppenheimer Beach, in St John, US Virgin Islands
 The family's two homes

 10. Tata
 Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata
 The family is the largest private employer in the second most populated country in the world. Its influence runs from real estate, construction, manufacturing, automobiles and textiles. It was responsible for some of India’s energy plants and airlines. And all of these started with a few cotton mills that the family invested upon. They produce the cheapest car in the world, but the family is certainly one of the wealthiest.
 Ratan Tata's son
The family home
The man who gave India the cheapest car with the Tata Nano, drives around on a set of ultra luxurious wheels like the Ferrari California, a Cadillac XLR, a Maserati Quattroporte, a Mercedes SL500, a Land Rover Freelander or a Chrysler Sebring.