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.
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
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.
