Who are the world’s 5 wealthiest billionaire heirs?

1. Mukesh Ambani, 66

Mukesh Ambani, chairman and managing director of Reliance Industries Ltd., is speaking at an event in Mumbai, India, on March 30, 2024. Photo by Reuters

Mukesh Ambani's wealth is rooted in the conglomerate Reliance Industries, which has diverse investments spanning petrochemicals, telecommunications, retail, and financial services.

The company was founded as a small textile manufacturer in 1966 by his late father, Dhirubhai Ambani, a yarn trader.

Following Dhirubhai's passing in 2002, Reliance was divided between Mukesh and his younger sibling, Anil.

Today, Reliance stands as India's largest private sector corporation, boasting a market capitalization of $237.49 billion as of April 2024.

With a net worth of US$114.9 billion as of April 16, Mukesh Ambani holds the title of the world's richest billionaire heir, as well as the wealthiest individual in Asia, as reported by Forbes.

2. Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, 70

Francoise Bettencourt Meyers, the heiress to the L’Oréal cosmetic fortune and the world’s richest woman. Photo by Reuters

French billionaire Françoise Bettencourt Meyers is the heiress to the L’Oréal cosmetic fortune, holding a 33% stake in the behemoth founded in 1909 by her grandfather - Eugène Schueller, according to El País.

She inherited her wealth, along with the title of the world’s richest woman, from her mother, Liliane Bettencourt, who passed away in 2017.

The heiress holds the position of L'Oréal’s vice chairwoman and also chairs her family’s investment firm, Téthys Invest.

Known for leading a quiet life, Bettencourt Meyers is seldom seen at prestigious events and lavish dinner parties, except those closely linked to L'Oréal's interests.

Thanks to her wealth, which was at $89.1 billion as of April 16, she has been the richest woman in the world for four consecutive years, according to Forbes.

3. Jim Walton, 75

Jim Walton, chairman of Arvest Bank Group. Photo courtesy of The Walton Museum

Jim Walton, along with his siblings ranked fourth and fifth in this list, each inherited a 12% stake in Walmart, the world’s largest retailer, from their father and the company’s founder, Sam Walton, who passed away in 1992.

Jim was appointed to Walmart’s board of directors in 2005, where he remained for over a decade until he passed the position to his son in June 2016.

He also serves as the chairman and CEO at Arvest Bank Group, a financial institution boasting assets in excess of $20 billion that is mostly owned by the Walton family - the richest family in the U.S., according to Forbes.

As of April 16, his net worth stood at $78.2 billion.

4. Rob Walton, 79

Wal-Mart Stores Chairman Rob Walton at an annual shareholders meeting in Arkansas. Photo by Reuters

As the Walmart founder’s eldest son, Rob Walton assumed the role of the firm’s chairman in 1992 following his father's passing.

He later retired and passed on the position to his son-in-law, Greg Penner, in 2015, yet remained a member of the firm’s board of directors.

Apart from his stake in the retail giant, Rob is the owner of the Denver Broncos, a professional football team he acquired in 2022 for $4.7 billion.

This endeavor also places him as the second wealthiest sports team owner globally, with a net worth of $77.2 billion as of April 16, as reported by Forbes.

5. Alice Walton, 74

Alice Walton, founder of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Photo courtesy of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art/Stephen Ironside

While Alice Walton, Sam Walton’s only daughter, holds as many stake in Walmart as her two brothers, she has primarily dedicated her time to art curating and philanthropic work instead of the mega-retailer.

She founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a non-profit charitable organization for all to enjoy, in her hometown of Bentonville, Arkansas in 2011.

In 2019, Alice established the Whole Health Institute, which collaborates with health systems, employers, and communities to develop and enhance access to holistic healthcare, according to The Walton Museum.

As of April 16, Forbes estimates her net worth to be $72.1 billion.