The Legacy of the World’s Most Famous Wealthy Families
The Vanderbilts, Gettys, and Rothschilds are often associated with immense wealth, but how have these legendary old-money families fared in 2025? This article explores the financial status and influence of the descendants of five of the world’s most illustrious dynasties.
The Hearsts
William Randolph Hearst, the media mogul who inspired Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, built a vast media empire. He inherited significant wealth from his father, George Hearst, a mining magnate. At his peak, he owned 28 major newspapers and 18 magazines. When he died in 1951, his net worth was estimated at around $2.4 billion in today’s money.
Unlike other wealthy families, the Hearsts preserved and expanded their business. Today, the family has about 67 living heirs, with an estimated collective net worth of $22.4 billion, ranking them as America’s 14th richest family.
William Randolph Hearst III, the patriarch’s grandson, is the chairman of the Hearst Corporation and holds a personal fortune of $2.3 billion. George Randolph Hearst III, a great-grandson, serves as publisher and CEO of the Times Union newspaper and is a director of the Hearst Corporation.
Patty Hearst, a granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst, gained notoriety after being kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army in 1974. She was later pardoned by President Clinton and is now a philanthropist with an estimated net worth of $50 million. Her daughter, Lydia Hearst, is a model and actress with a reported fortune of $100 million.
Other notable members include model Amanda Hearst ($100 million), Patty’s sister Anne Hearst ($50 million), and TV and film producer John Hearst ($1.9 billion).
The Rockefellers
John D. Rockefeller, one of the founders of Standard Oil, became America’s first billionaire in 1916. His net worth at the time of his death in 1937 was estimated at $1.4 billion, equivalent to $21.7 billion in 2025. Some estimates suggest it could be as high as $400 billion in today’s money.
The Rockefeller family is known for its extensive philanthropy. Their remaining wealth is largely held in charitable trusts, with an estimated collective net worth of $10.3 billion, according to Forbes.
David Rockefeller, the last living grandchild of John D. Rockefeller, passed away in 2017 at age 101. He had a net worth of $3.3 billion and left over $700 million to non-profit organizations upon his death. His son, David Rockefeller Jr., is a trustee of several family foundations.
Other prominent members include designer Ariana Rockefeller, whose net worth is estimated to exceed $1 billion, and Jay Rockefeller, a retired politician with a personal fortune of $160 million.
The Rockefeller Foundation continues to focus on global health, economic opportunities, and cultural initiatives. In 2013, Elton John received the Rockefeller Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with HIV/AIDS.
The Rothschilds
Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the founder of the banking dynasty, established branches of the family across Europe. For much of the 19th century, the Rothschilds were the richest family in the world.
Baron Benjamin de Rothschild, the richest member of the French branch, died in 2021 with a net worth of $1.1 billion. Jacob Rothschild, the wealthiest member of the English branch until his death in 2023, had a net worth of $1 billion.
Hannah Rothschild, his daughter, is a filmmaker and chair of the National Gallery in London. James Rothschild, married to Nicky Hilton, has an estimated net worth of $1.3 billion. David Mayer de Rothschild, a film producer, is believed to be worth $10 billion.
Olivia de Rothschild, the daughter of Benjamin de Rothschild, is expected to play a key role in the family business.
The Gettys
George Getty, the patriarch of the Getty family, invested in the oil industry in 1903. His son, J. Paul Getty, became the richest private citizen in the world by the 1950s. Known for his frugality, he famously refused to pay a ransom for his kidnapped grandson, only agreeing after the gangsters sent his ear to an Italian newspaper.
J. Paul Getty left behind a fortune of around $5 billion, which was largely used to establish the J. Paul Getty Trust, now the world’s wealthiest art institution. His fourth child, Gordon Getty, is the richest living member of the family with a net worth of $2.1 billion.
Mark Getty, J. Paul’s grandson, co-founded Getty Images and has an estimated net worth of $500 million. Actor Balthazar Getty is said to be worth $200 million.
The Vanderbilts
The Vanderbilts built their fortune through railroads and shipping during the Gilded Age. Cornelius Vanderbilt was the wealthiest person in the US by the 1860s, and his son, William Henry Vanderbilt, was the richest American during the 1870s.
Despite their wealth, many descendants depleted the family fortune by the mid-20th century. However, some still maintain significant wealth. Gloria Vanderbilt, a great-granddaughter of William Henry Vanderbilt, was worth around $200 million before her death in 2019. Her son, Anderson Cooper, inherited her estate, which was valued at $1.5 million, but he is also a successful TV journalist with a net worth of $50 million.
Other affluent descendants include Blenheim Palace custodian the 12th Duke of Marlborough ($240 million), Hollywood screenwriter James Vanderbilt ($20 million), and actor Timothy Olyphant ($20 million).